Monarch MountainDistance: 7 km Elevation Gain: 700 m (2297 ft) Time: 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Region: Atlin |
Date Added: July 1, 2008
Last Update: August 23, 2008 Winter:  Tweet |
If you're in or around Atlin, be sure to do this hike - it offers some great views of Atlin Lake & Atlin Mountain as well as Teresa Island, the 2nd tallest lake-island on the planet. Monarch is not the highest mountain in the Atlin area, but it is a great short day trip that gets you up to the sub-alpine to view the other majestic peaks.
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Driving Directions
Coming into Atlin on Highway 7, at the T-junction turn left onto Suprise Lake Road (right goes to Atlin on Discovery Ave). After that, take a right on Warm Springs Road. Continue for 3.5 km until you reach a moderate sized parking area on the right hand side of the road that has a trail sign.
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Trail Description
At the parking area there is a sign that points to the trail across the road. Cross the road to get to the trailhead. The trail is easy to follow and climbs steadily at a moderate grade.
The trail crosses a road and a driveway at the beginning. You will soon get some unobstructed views of the surrounding area. There are a couple of benches along the path that offer good resting points with great views.
The summit is a good picnic spot, but if its windy you'll have to find some shelter behind trees. There is some room for exploring at the summit down to some tarns or around the rocky ridges.
The trail crosses a road and a driveway at the beginning. You will soon get some unobstructed views of the surrounding area. There are a couple of benches along the path that offer good resting points with great views.
The summit is a good picnic spot, but if its windy you'll have to find some shelter behind trees. There is some room for exploring at the summit down to some tarns or around the rocky ridges.
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Comments / Trip Reports
Garth
July 15, 2018
Hiked this on the evening of July 12th. Trail is dry, very windy up top. Got to the main viewpoint and continued on to hike a little circle of the ridges to the true summit - great views of the lake and mountain range!
Emma
June 20, 2018
I did this one in September 2017 and LOVED it.
Its a fairly modest climb up a well defined path to the summit. The views of Atlin Lake and the surrounding Mountains on a nice day are pretty incredible. As with most hikes up this way, it was very windy at the top, so we headed down to the plateau area to stop for snacks. All up, it took about 2:30-ish return.
A definite hike to do if you're in the Atlin area.
Its a fairly modest climb up a well defined path to the summit. The views of Atlin Lake and the surrounding Mountains on a nice day are pretty incredible. As with most hikes up this way, it was very windy at the top, so we headed down to the plateau area to stop for snacks. All up, it took about 2:30-ish return.
A definite hike to do if you're in the Atlin area.
Kyle
June 19, 2018
Did this one on June 17 2018.
Great day hike, very clear and well maintained path up to the summit.
Sweeping views of Atlin lake, the mountains and como lake.
Great day hike, very clear and well maintained path up to the summit.
Sweeping views of Atlin lake, the mountains and como lake.
Cor
August 21, 2017
I live in Atlin, and this is a popular hike for locals, too - winter and summer. You get amazing views, even if you only have time to hike up a little ways. It's also a great way to get in an outdoor workout as it is a steady upward climb the whole way. Bring poles for the descent of you have bad knees!
As noted in a comment below, trail is accessible from Warm Bay Road (not Warm Springs as said in description). There is a large pullout on the right that is also the access to the Beach Trail. Nice spot to go dip into after your hike, on the rare hot hot day. You'll see Monarch Trail sign across the road from pullout.
People usually hike to the false summit for the best views, but to get to the real Monarch summit, you must descent behind the false plateau-type summit and head up the trail/peak veering left from the pond below (note, it is not the first pond you see when getting to the top, it is the second viewed behind the false summit). When you get to the true summit, you will also have spectacular views of Como Lake & Minto Mtn to the north, Surprise Lake to the East, and of course Atlin Lake & Mtn to the south and west.
Happy Trails!
As noted in a comment below, trail is accessible from Warm Bay Road (not Warm Springs as said in description). There is a large pullout on the right that is also the access to the Beach Trail. Nice spot to go dip into after your hike, on the rare hot hot day. You'll see Monarch Trail sign across the road from pullout.
People usually hike to the false summit for the best views, but to get to the real Monarch summit, you must descent behind the false plateau-type summit and head up the trail/peak veering left from the pond below (note, it is not the first pond you see when getting to the top, it is the second viewed behind the false summit). When you get to the true summit, you will also have spectacular views of Como Lake & Minto Mtn to the north, Surprise Lake to the East, and of course Atlin Lake & Mtn to the south and west.
Happy Trails!
Max Benis
August 13, 2017
Didn't see any Moncarch Butterfiles on this hike! But oooooh weeee was this a greatest trails!
Pat & Nikola
June 14, 2017
Absolutely Beautiful sights from the top. We spent some time exploring the plateau at the top .The Hike up is relatively easy , with just a couple of steeper sections. No snow left on the trail itself , little patches around on the top . Great way to see Atlin and surroundings from up high.
Esther
May 19, 2017
Hiked this today. Some big, soft patches of snow at the top. The smaller ones I post holed through, bigger ones bush whacked around. I imagine they will be gone soon. Fun little hike with beautiful views! 2:45 round trip including some time at the summit.
Glenn Rudman
May 24, 2015
Hiked to the top on May 24, 2015. Glorious day. Beautiful views towards the lake most of the way up and great views to the east at the top. Fours hours return trip (stopped a lot to look for birds plus had lunch at the top).
The parking and trailhead are on Warm Bay Road, not Warm Springs Road.
The parking and trailhead are on Warm Bay Road, not Warm Springs Road.
Stephen Bentley and tanker
May 4, 2015
Did the hike May 1st. Beautiful views of atlin and the lake. Still deep snow at the top so wear good boots but it's worth it. I lost my bear spray somewhere near the summit so it's yours if you find it
Mady
July 11, 2014
Last weekend we went up Monarch Mountain. It was a crappy day but the views were still pretty great. It was pretty chilly at the top (there was still snow in some areas) so I was glad to have my ever-present thermos of hot tea to drink in the shelter of some rocks.
If you have weak knees, maybe bring trekking poles for the descent. There's also a nice beach walk just below the parking lot.
If you have weak knees, maybe bring trekking poles for the descent. There's also a nice beach walk just below the parking lot.
Yukon Hiking
August 19, 2013
Thanks Sophie. After double checking, we changed the distance along Warm Springs Rd to 3.5 km.
Sophie
August 19, 2013
Beautiful hike with a high ratio view/effort! It was windy at the top, but was easy to find bushes to hide from the wind. We calculated 3.5 km on the Warm Springs Rd before getting to the parking (it has a sign "Beach Trail Recration Park"), not sure if it was an error on the website?
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Have you been to Monarch Mountain lately?