At the end of winter, we headed out from the Zopkios Rest Area and followed an old double track that goes up to the top of Ottomite Mountain.   On the shoulder of the hill, we contoured around the north side to a meadow, then we followed a faint single track across the side slopes of Zupjok Peak to the ridge that ascends Iago.   We had been to Ottomite, Zupjok, and Iago before so we knew the route, but we mostly followed recent snowshoe tracks set by the Kamloops Hiking Club (Jeremy, Anthony, and Rob).   The upper slopes were snowed and blown in, but the route is obvious to the top.   The return route is about 5.5 km.   The elevation gain is about 537m (1761 feet).

The trail through Ottomite Meadows is one of the nicest sections of the route.

In the summer, this is a damp area with ponds,  a stream, and some wildflowers.   Signs of spring were already present at the start of March with some open water in pockets of the stream course.

The final section of the route is up a subalpine steep ridge.   We climb above the the treeline near the summit.

The view to the east is of Zopkios Ridge with Yak Peak as the highest point.

To the north is a line of mountains – Zupkok, Llama Alpaca, and behind them Vicuna and Guanaco.

We have hiked to Vicuna and to the top of Guanaco, but the final ascent of Vicuna is a climb.

The return snowshoe is quicker.   Glimpses of Needle, Vicuna, and Yak can be viewed through gaps in the trees.

The final stages of the return route goes through the meadows, down the slopes of Ottomite, then along the double track to the parking area.    Having done many of the peaks and snowshoed a few too, I believe that the snowshoe to the top of Iago and back is the best single-day winter route in the Coquihalla Summit area.

Other related articles:

• Iago Summit
• Zupjok Peak
• Guanaco Peak
• Yak Peak

Directions:

• Park at the Zopkios Rest Area.   Behind the restrooms on the west side a route leads over to an old double track bearing west. (N49 35.802 W121 07.505)
• Follow the double track all the way to just below the top of Ottomite Mountain.
• Bear off west over the shoulder of Ottomite. (near N49 35.802 W121 07.505)  There is some flagging tape here and there and the area can get grown in, but the meadow on the west side is a catching feature.
• Cross the meadow and follow the Zupjok Mountain Trail (some flagging tape) as it crosses the sideslopes of Zupjok.   Pass Zupjok and bear west to go to the bridging ridge to Iago.  Aim for N49 36.424 W121 09.904.
• Follow the ridge to the top.
• Return by the same route.