Hiking Triple Peak on Vancouver Island
Triple Peak is another really great hike between Port Alberni and Tofino and Ucluelet. It is in the same area as 5040 Peak and you actually take the same forest service road to get there.
Quick Trail Information
AllTrails has Triple Peak listed as a hard, 6.4 km out and back trail with around 940 m of elevation gain. It is very steep with exposed sections, scrambling and a permanent rope on one of the steeper sections. AllTrails recommends this hike for people with good hiking experience. The best time to hike it is generally July through October.
Getting to Triple Peak
From Port Alberni you take Highway 4 toward Tofino and Ucluelet. Once you are over Sutton Pass you continue to drive west until you reach the turnoff for Marion Main Forest Service Road. This turnoff comes quick so keep a close eye out for it after Sutton Pass and definitely have a map downloaded before you leave since you can not rely on cell service. Once you turn off Highway 4 onto the logging road, follow Marion Main for about 10 km. You will pass the parking area and trailhead for 5040 Peak. Keep going for just under another kilometre and you will come to a junction. Turn right and head down the hill to the Triple Peak parking area. The trail starts at the end of the road.
ACC Vancouver Island says 4WD or AWD is required for Marion Main and after driving it myself I would definitely recommend it too. Last time we went up we needed 4WD. The road is rough in sections and there is one VERY steep hill right before the parking area. Make sure to check current road conditions before you go because they can change. Weather forecasts can be obtained from Mountain Forecast for Klitsa Mountain (near 5040 Peak).
The Hike
According to AllTrails, the Triple Peak route is around 6.4 km round trip with roughly 940 metres of elevation gain and is rated hard. It is not a long hike but there is alot of climbing in a short distance. There are roots and rocks and quite a bit of scrambling. You will definitely be using your hands (so I would recommend no hiking poles for this hike).You also need to be comfortable with heights. A good part of the hike follows right beside a waterfall and you are basically climbing your way up beside it in some sections. I would not recommend this one if you are brand new to hiking or really afraid of heights. You definitely need to be fit and comfortable climbing and scrambling.
Triple Peak Lake
We did this hike last week in early October and stopped at the lake for lunch. It is a beautiful big lake sitting right below Triple Peak, and it is such a nice spot to hang out for a bit after that climb. You can also camp up there on the rocks beside the lake. We saw a handful of tents set up around the lake when we went. For us the lake was the destination. We ate our lunch, hung out for a bit and then headed back down. One thing to know is that hiking to the lake and actually climbing Triple Peak are two very different things. Going beyond the lake to summit Triple Peak is a technical climb. This blog is just about the hike to the lake.
What to Pack for An Overnighter
Backpack
Lightweight tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad and pillow
Stove, fuel, and cook set
Food and lots of snacks
Lots of water and water filter
Headlamp
Bear spray
Good hiking shoes/boots
Extra socks
Bathing suit
Warm layers
Rain jacket
Hat and sunscreen
Bug stray and mosquito headnet
Phone/GPS with offline map downloaded
First aid kit
Emergency essentials — whistle, emergency blanket, lighter/fire starter
Toiletries/personal items
What to Pack for a Day Hike
Small backpack
Water and water filter
Food and lots of snacks
Bear spray
Headlamp
Good hiking shoes/boots
Extra layer/warm layer
Bathing suit
Bug spray and mosquito bug net
Rain jacket
Hat and sunscreen
Phone/GPS with offline map downloaded
Small first aid kit
Emergency essentials — whistle, emergency blanket, lighter/fire starter
Before You Go
Before heading to Triple Peak make sure you have checked the road, the trail, and the weather. The road has been closed all of September this year for bridge replacement work so that is worth knowing before driving all the way out there and finding out you cant go. Triple Peak is remote and it is a hard hike. The trail is steep and rugged and the conditions can change and you shouldn't rely on having cell service. Download your map before you leave, start early and give yourself lots of daylight. Even if you're doing it as a day hike, bring a headlamp just in case you're coming down later than planned. I would also make sure someone knows where you're going and when you expect to be back. Take your time coming down too. The roots and rocks can be so tricky on the way down. And if the weather changes, don't be afraid to turn around. If you do a lot of backcountry hiking, a satellite communicator is also worth considering.
I would check Recreation Sites and Trails BC, AllTrails and current road access before your trip.
Don’t Own Backpacking Gear?
Something alot of people dont know is that you don't need to buy an entire backpacking setup just to try a trip like this. I own Alberni Adventure Gear and we rent out complete backpacking setups or just if you have some but not all the gear I can rent you individual gear items. We have backpacks, lightweight tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows, Jetboils, fuel, water filters, headlamps, lightweight tarps, power banks, bear spray, hiking poles.. Honestly we have it all.
We are located in a very ideal location just off the highway in Port Alberni. So if you're coming from Nanaimo, Victoria or anywhere on Vancouver Island you will be coming right through Port Alberni on your way to Triple Peak and 5040.
We are a family business and love to help get people outside. We own the gear so you don't need to :)