We do most of our snowshoeing in the forested hills to the north and south of Kamloops.    there are many good routes within a half hour drive.    On occasion, though, we travel farther to do a destination snowshoe.    We have snowshoed Iago Peak twice in winter and once in summer, as well as many of the neighboring peaks.    Most of the peaks in the Coquihalla Summit Area are steep and demanding, not suitable for outings many of the days of winter.     We can snowshoe Ottomite Hill and Iago Peak, Zoa Peak, or a number of lower elevation tracks (not really worth the longer drive).   Iago and Zoa, though, are good winter destinations.

There is an old double track that starts at the Zopkios Rest Area (west end) and it winds through the forest to the top of Ottomite Hill.    From there, hikers, snowshoers, or skiers can get to the summit of either Zupjok Peak or Iago Peak.    Iago is less steep and the open slopes of the ridge are safer and more accessible.

We snowshoed along the double track through the forest, leaving a stomped-in track for the next group.

The route cuts through a wet meadow below (north side) Ottomite Hill.    There is a large cairn at the turn.

From the end of that meadow to the ridge on Iago Peak requires some navigating.    We wound through the forest, then started to climb through open forested slopes.   The upper slopes are treeless.    Stay away from the cliffs on the south side.   As we climbed, Zopkios Ridge, Yak Peak, and Zupjok Peak filled the views east and north.

There are wide views at the open top of Iago Peak.    In winter the summit is windy and bleak.

This is a backcountry route for experienced hikers.    Iago is a good snowshoe destination when the conditions are right.