Summary of Route
- Type: Through route; fire lookout access
- Rating: 3/5
- Season: Any, but Spring to October recommended
- Length: 33.4 km’s from start of gravel road
- Vehicle suitability: Stock 4x4 or Subaru with AT tires until final 200m
The Route
The Greenstone Mountain Lookout overland route is a relatively popular, easy route that can be completed as a stand-alone day trip or linked in to a longer interior route. This post details access from the south off of highway 97D with its conclusion north of Greenstone Mountain Lookout at highway 97. The north approach to Greenstone Mountain Lookout requires little navigation and could be done by almost any vehicle in dry conditions.
Approaching from the south you will be travelling northbound on the Coquihalla Highway. Take the right hand exit for highway 97D, found at GPS coordinates 50.48580; -120.54560. You will travel west on highway 97D for approximately 8 km’s before turning right onto Paska Lake Road. Paska Lake Road is paved and good time can be made. After an additional 8.7 km’s of travel on Paska Lake Road you will reach Paska Lake Recreation Site (GPS coordinates 50.52665, -120.65848). This is an extremely well maintained recreation site and due to the ease of access is popular with RV’s and truck campers. Sites are adequately spaced and if you’re arriving late at night this is an excellent site to stay at for peace of mind. If you’re seeking more solitude we would recommend instead checking out Face Lake Recreation Site, found approximately 3.6 km’s north east at GPS coordinates 50.54831, -120.63941.
As you leave Paska Lake Recreation Site, bear right, continuing along Paska Lake Road. In approximately 400m you will reach an intersection. Bear left onto Dominic Lake FSR (below image). You will be following Dominic Lake FSR for the next 7.7 km’s. If you are not using an offline map service such as GAIA, staying on the widest, most well-maintained road will ensure that you stay on Dominic Lake FSR.
After traveling 7.7 km’s on Dominic Lake FSR, you will reach a 4-way intersection (first image below). Take the right hand road. Continue along this road for approximately 1.4 km’s before reaching another intersection. At this intersection, take a right turn and then immediately bear left. This will put you on Greenstone Mountain Road, which you will follow for the remainder of this drive. Signs indicating Greenstone Mountain Lookout and Rim Trail will confirm you are on the correct route.
After 1.7 km’s on Greenstone Mountain Road you will see signage for Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park. Fortunately, Greenstone Mountain Road forms a small exclusion zone within Greenstone Mountain Provincial Park, allowing you to continue driving. The next 600m of travel are significantly less well maintained than the entirety of the route driven thus far; however, any SUV or comparable vehicle with appropriate tires and clearance will likely have no difficulty. We did not utilize 4-wheel drive or air down for this portion.
After travelling 600m, you will reach another intersection. A left turn will take you up towards Greenstone Mountain Lookout, with a right turn taking you north towards Kamloops and highway 97. Taking a left, the next 700m are easy going. That being said, as of September 2023 there was a moderate sized tree hanging over the road that would make travel difficult in vans or trucks with campers. As you complete this portion views will begin to open up, weather permitting, and you will encounter several cell towers. Avoid these and continue bearing left to reach Greenstone Mountain Lookout.
As you continue you will shortly encounter a steep, narrow section with several exposed rocks. Fortunately, there is ample room to backup and park as you scout this section and the subsequent hill-climb to Greenstone Mountain Lookout. At this point you are a mere 200m from your final destination and walking is recommended for any who are not very comfortable with their vehicles off-road capabilities. Greenstone Mountain Lookout GPS coordinates are 50.61031; -120.64285.
After spending some time taking in the surround views and exploring Greenstone Mountain Lookout, return to your vehicle. You will be backtracking for the initial 700m’s. To continue north to highway 97 and Kamloops, avoiding taking a right and returning along the road that you approached on. Rather, bear left staying on the much better condition road. You will stay on this road for the remaining 20.2 km’s of your drive. Conditions throughout are excellent and the incline is relatively moderate. As you begin to descend beautiful views once again open up and cows are likely to be encountered. Go slow and enjoy the drive!
Looking for other routes in this area? Consider checking out our Mount Thynne and Peachland to Merritt overland routes!