Yak-Nak Peaks Hike with PNOA – A Joyful Journey with 12 Adventurers (August 3, 2025)

As members of the Pacific Northwest Outdoor Association (PNOA), our group thrives on the call of the mountains. On the morning of August 3, 2025, 12 of us gathered for a PNOA-organized hike to Yak and Nak Peaks, and I woke with a flicker of worry—dark clouds loomed, threatening rain. But as we met at the Zopkios Rest Area along the Coquihalla Highway, the clouds parted, revealing a sunny sky with a gentle breeze. It was as if the mountains were welcoming our lively crew.

Our journey kicked off with a 1 km walk along the highway to the trailhead, marked by a humble cairn. My friend tripped over a root almost immediately, and our group burst into laughter as she dusted herself off, joking about her “graceful start.” The trail soon turned steep, winding through a fragrant forest before hitting rocky terrain. My legs burned, but the camaraderie of our team kept me going—Patrick’s endless puns about “peaking” were both groan-worthy and motivating, a classic PNOA trail vibe that had all chuckling.

Our first milestone was the false summit of Yak Peak. The view was stunning—snow-dusted peaks stretching endlessly under a vibrant blue sky. Thinking we’d conquered Yak, our group sprawled out for lunch, munching on sandwiches while I shared a story about my first hike years ago, when I forgot water and learned the hard way to always pack extra. Feeling triumphant, we snapped selfies, only to realize this wasn’t the true summit. “Rookie mistake!” Someone teased, and we laughed as we packed up, ready for more.

The descent from the false summit was tricky—loose rocks had me gripping my hiking poles tightly. Reaching the true Yak Peak summit felt like a personal victory, amplified by the cheers of my mates. I stood there, wind tousling my hair, reflecting on how hikes have shaped my love for the outdoors. The 360-degree panorama was worth every step. From there, we pressed on to Nak Peak via the Yak-Nak saddle, a 1 km ridge walk with a 40-meter dip and rise. The rocky, pathless terrain tested our focus, but spotting a tiny unnamed peak en route sparked a playful debate among us about what to call it. “Mount Munchkin!” I suggested, earning a round of laughs from the group.

At Nak Peak, we took a photo break, striking silly poses against the rugged backdrop. I felt a surge of gratitude for these moments with my PNOA family, the kind that make your heart full. Curiosity led our group to try scrambling the ridge toward Thar Peak, but the jagged rocks and steep drops made me pause. I remembered a near-slip on a past hike and suggested we turn back. “Better safe than epic regrets,” Lao Wan said, and all agreed, a testament to PNOA’s emphasis on safety and teamwork.

The 9 km round-trip, with about 1,165 meters of elevation gain, was no small feat for our group. The boulder fields, grassy meadows, and slippery slopes kept us alert, but the lack of exposure made it approachable. My trusty hiking boots gripped the rocks, the high-altitude breeze nearly stole my hat, reminding me why I packed my windbreaker!

Hiking Yak and Nak Peaks with PNOA’s 12 adventurers was more than an adventure—it was a conversation with nature and myself. It’s a language of freedom, resilience, and pure happiness. As we descended, passing a sobering memorial for a fallen hiker, I felt a mix of awe and humility, grateful for PNOA’s guidance in respecting the wild. This day, filled with laughter, small triumphs, and shared stories among our group, reminded me why I hike with PNOA: to feel alive, connected, and free.

Tips for Hikers: Start at Zopkios Rest Area, wear grippy shoes, bring plenty of water, and use a map or GPS for navigation. July to October is ideal to avoid snow. Join us PNOA in chasing happiness through the mountains!

2025年8月3日 与PNOA的Yak-Nak Peaks徒步：12人团队的欢乐与发现之旅

作为太平洋西北户外协会（PNOA）的成员，我们对山野的召唤早已不陌生。2025年8月3日早上，我们12位PNOA成员为Yak和Nak Peaks的徒步活动集合，我醒来时有些紧张——乌云密布，担心雨水会打乱计划。但当我们在Coquihalla高速公路的Zopkios休息区集合时，乌云散去，阳光洒下，微风清爽，仿佛群山在为我们的队伍敞开怀抱。

徒步从休息区开始，沿着高速公路步行1公里到trailhead，那里有一个不起眼的石堆标记。刚进森林，我的朋友就被树根绊了一下，我们哄笑起来，她拍拍裤子站起身，笑着说这是“优雅的开场”。路径很快变得陡峭，穿过芬芳的森林后进入岩石地形。我的腿酸得厉害，但团队的欢乐气氛让我坚持下去——Patrick 不停地讲“登顶”冷笑话，虽然老套却是PNOA徒步的经典调味剂，让我们大家笑声不断。

第一个里程碑是Yak Peak的假山顶。景色美得让人屏息——雪峰在蓝天下连绵不绝。我们以为这就是顶峰，我们兴奋地席地而坐吃午餐。我分享了自己多年前第一次PNOA徒步忘了带水的糗事，逗得大家哈哈大笑。我们拍了无数自拍，觉得自己已经征服了山峰，结果发现这只是假山顶。“菜鸟错误！”有人打趣道，我们的队伍笑着收拾行囊继续前行。

从假山顶下坡时，松散的岩石让我紧紧抓着登山杖。登上真正的Yak Peak顶峰时，伙伴的欢呼让我感觉像赢了一场个人胜利。风吹乱了我的头发，我站在那里，回想徒步如何让我爱上户外。全景风光让每一步都值得。从这里，我们沿着Yak-Nak鞍部向Nak Peak前进，沿山脊步行1公里，经历40米的海拔下降和回升。岩石地形没有明显路径，但途中一个无名小峰引发了我们热烈讨论。我提议叫它“迷你峰”，逗得大家笑成一团。

在Nak Peak，我们停下来拍照，对着原始的山景摆出各种搞怪姿势。那一刻，我为能和这个大家庭共享这美景感到满心感恩。出于好奇，我们尝试沿山脊向Thar Peak攀爬，但陡峭的岩石让我想起上次徒步差点滑倒的经历。老万提议回头，说：“安全比史诗般的遗憾重要！”大家一致同意，体现了PNOA对安全和团队合作的重视。

全程9公里，海拔增益约1,165米，对我们来说挑战性十足。巨砾场、草甸和滑坡让我们全神贯注，但没有明显暴露感，适合有经验的徒步者。我的徒步鞋牢牢抓地，高海拔的风差点吹走我的帽子，幸好我带了防风衣！

与PNOA的12位探险者一起徒步Yak和Nak Peaks不仅是一场探险，更是大自然与自我的对话。它是自由、坚韧和幸福的语言。下山时，经过一处纪念遇难登山者的碑，我感到既敬畏又谦卑，感激PNOA教我们尊重这片野性之地。这一天，充满笑声、小小胜利和我们12人的故事，让我明白为什么爱与PNOA一起徒步：它让我感到鲜活、连接和自由。

徒步建议：从Zopkios休息区出发，穿防滑鞋，带足水，准备地图或GPS导航。7月至10月是最佳徒步时间，避开雪季。加入我们PNOA，一起在山间寻找快乐吧！

Video courtesy of Yuki Chau

Video Courtesy of Cynthia Li