DIRECTIONS: From Summerland, drive road and FSR to Garnet Lake Day-Use Area and follow the GPS track provided. create
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Mount Eneas Via Garnet Lake
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Jul 2, 2021
I kept looking up at the ridge up on the Western side of Lake Okanagan wondering how to best get up there... and settled on parking at the Garnet Lake day-use area on the western side of the peak after some back roads and FSR driving, I climbing up through Ponderosa, Aspens, Spear Grass, and then open Sagebrush to reach the wooded north-south ridge of the mountain. This hike gives open views south to Summerland, Okanagan Lake, Peachland, Okanagan Mountain, and sloping ranch land down to Garnet Lake.
Risks are sudden forest fire, smoke, rattlesnakes, ticks, and frequent route finding when you cannot decipher the trail bed from just normal terrain. Spear Grass can also be super annoying as it loves to work itself into your shoes and socks.
July 2018, a fire on Mount Eneas grew to 1,374 hectares!
I am assuming sections are shared with horses, mountain bikes, and other animals but not a lot of hikers attempt this entire loop often.
An alternative route would start from just south of Peachland using the Fur Brigade trail to get you up to the first viewpoint and then completing the loop.
Caveat: As always, take GPX tracks on these less used, less published hikes, and use at your own risk!
Be safe and have fun!
Regards,
Rex