Mount Rose Swanson | Armstrong | Spallumcheen B.C.
The patchwork pastures below, the blue and green variegated lakes and forests, springtime wildflowers, and the endless Shuswap skies make this panoramic vista a true treasure of the area
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Armstrong & Spallumcheen
Armstrong's picturesque village is often known for its pastoral valley beauty, lush green hills, and golden fields, a scene rich in hometown heritage and agriculture. Rooted within the Spallumcheen Valley at the southernmost point of the Shuswap, Armstrong has a farm-first passion. Celebration and closeness of the community are the vitality. Armstrong offers outdoor enthusiasts and adventure families enjoyable experiences, all within proximity to town.
The Painted Barn Quilt Trail.
One the many beautiful painted barn quilts. These art pieces honor the quilters and textile artists of the area. They also represent the richness of hometown heritage and agriculture
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Mount Rose-Swanson
A local and visitor favorite, Mount Rose-Swanson is sure to please all levels of hikers, including the littlest! It is a great family setting to connect with nature and experience the spectacular scenery of the Spallumcheen Valley high above Armstrong! The patchwork pastures below, the blue and green variegated lakes and forests, springtime wildflowers, and the endless Shuswap skies make this panoramic vista a true treasure of the area! Hikers can take in the far-reaching views of Otter, Swan, and Okanagan Lakes. This trail offers great variety; you can choose your route and make this a 4-8 km round trip loop trail. There are several small summits along the way, but making it to the rock bluffs' radio tower is the ultimate reward. The views of the valley will knock your hiking socks right off!
Hikers can take in the far-reaching views of Otter, Swan, and Okanagan Lakes. My friend Miranda and I and little Daisy.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Trail Report Fast Facts:
Mount Rose-Swanson is a beautiful, moderately difficult loop (with more loop options!) glorious trail that leads you through a diverse and dense cedar forest, over little creeks, across a sweet log bridge, and later clearing to a more open, rocky summit type last leg.
It is approximately an 8 km return hike and worth every effort! Recently, I hiked with my nearly 3-year-old on my back and we did great! In fact, I was able to talk the entire time so it really wasn't that difficult of a climb!
We made it back to the parking lot in 3 hours and that was with lunch at the top and a whole bunch of chatting along the way.
This trail can either be 4-8 km depending on your route.
There are a couple of peaks you can hit as well as an extraordinary ridge that extends between the two peaks: Mount Rose and Swanson.
The radio tower lookout is absolutely incredible and it is the view you may have seen through tourism or on social media. It is certainly the perfect photo spot!
There is an outhouse at the top, near the radio tower.
This trail is family-friendly. My 8 and 6-year-old would manage just fine and the edges at the top are not that scary. They are not a straight drop-off like Enderby Cliffs or other infamous cliff edges around here.
At the top, there are some great spots to have lunch. Lots of large boulders and flat shale-type rocks to get comfortable on, eat your lunch, and soak in the expansive views!
The two mountain peaks are named after Rose Swanson, the daughter of Catherine and Augustus Shubert, famous Overlanders who homesteaded in the area in 1862.
Please don’t feed the wildlife. The chipmunks at the top are a little too used to humans, probably from being fed.
Rose and Swanson are actually two peaks and you can access both!
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Adorable little log bridge
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Images from the trail…
Here’s me and the babe. Notice the tree we are standing under! A nurse log at its finest! The tree was cut and then another tree shoots out straight up! You can even see the roots of the new tree circling the nurse log.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Directions: A fun and interesting drive to the trailhead that leads you through the beautiful farmland. It is a little bit confusing but follow Shuswap Trail Alliances directions and you will get there no problem!
Shuswap Trail Alliance Directions to Mount Rose Swanson
Map photo take from Spallumcheen township . Read more here: https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/discover/trails.htm
