Our Twin Lakes Trail Adventure from Vernon
On a hot morning in early July, my husband, our friend Jennifer, and I hit the road from Vernon around 7:30am to hike the Twin Lakes Trail – a local favorite that’s also ranked #1 on AllTrails for the Cherryville area.
I clocked about 8.75km round trip with an elevation gain of 512m in my Alltrails app. The hike delivered spectacular alpine scenery – honestly, a must-do if you’re in Vernon or Kelowna and looking for a rewarding mountain adventure.
How to Reach the Twin Lakes Trailhead (with FSR Driving Tips)
To me, the biggest challenge isn’t the hike – it’s getting to the trailhead. You’ll drive about 50 minutes on a forest service road (FSR) after Cherryville.
Here’s the route we followed (thanks to Vernon Outdoors Club for the details):
- Start from Vernon, take Highway 6 east toward Lumby.
- Reset your odometer at the Hwy 6 & 15th Street intersection in Vernon.
- Continue driving east toward Cherryville.
- At 47.7 km, you’ll see Franks Store (washrooms and snacks available).
- About 3km later, turn left onto North Fork Road.
- Follow the paved road until a sharp 90° left turn.
- Drive 1.5km more to reach the North Fork FSR start point (marked as 0km; tune your radio to RR30 if needed).
- Drive ~13km and cross a bridge over Cherry Creek, then continue another 11km to reach the trailhead parking area (GPS: 50.282358, -118.310233).
- Note: The last 3km are rough—expect rocks, ditches, and uneven terrain. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Drive slowly and carefully.
There’s a basic pit toilet and a picnic table at the trailhead.
Hiking Twin Lakes Trail: Trail Conditions & Highlights
The trail starts at about 1800m elevation, and after a steep 1.3km forest climb (about 220m elevation gain), the trail opens into beautiful alpine meadows with mountain views all around.
We hiked on July 8, and despite the heat in the valley (37°C!), the mountains were cool and breezy—perfect for hiking. There were still 3 snow patches, but they were small and easy to cross with regular hiking shoes.
- Final stretch before the lakes: Steep downhill; My hiking poles helped me a lot.
- Twin lake: Stunning blue-green color with trails you can walk around.
- Views: Wildflowers in the meadows, snow-capped Monashee ridges, and wide-open scenery in every direction.
- Cell signal: Very spotty. Download the AllTrails map in advance.
You’ll also see orange markers along the trail—thanks to Vernon Outdoor Club volunteers!
Is Twin Lakes Trail Right for You?
The trail is rated “hard” on AllTrails, but in good summer weather, I’d call it moderate. There’s a steady climb, some rocky and rooty sections, and a bit of elevation, but it’s very doable for anyone with some hiking experience.
- Not beginner-friendly right after rain (muddy & slippery) as they are a few steep slopes.
- A fun challenge, but not a punishing one.
- Bring a friend—it’s a great social hike with postcard views!
Gear Tips & Safety Reminders
- Best season: Mid-July to mid-September (avoid snow and catch wildflowers).
- Vehicle: High-clearance 4×4 strongly recommended.
- Wildlife: This is bear country—carry bear spray and make noise.
- Gear to pack: Hiking poles, water&filter, snacks, bug spray, basic first aid.
- Optional Add-on: Strong hikers can continue past the lakes up to Lakeview Mountain.
- Camping: free
More packing tips here: Backcountry Essentials Gear List
Staying Overnight in Cherryville or Vernon?
If you’re planning to stay overnight, check out the options on Booking.com. (Affiliate link – no extra cost to you, but it helps me keep writing hiking guides like this!)
Why I Recommend Twin Lakes Trail
- The trailhead starts high—you’re already near the alpine zone.
- Meadow views appear quickly—just a short climb and you’re rewarded.
- Perfect for a 3-4 hour round-trip hike, plus 1h45min drive one-way from Vernon
- You’ll get lakes, peaks, and wildflowers in one go!
- Challenging enough to feel proud, but not overwhelming.
- A fantastic trail to share with friends who love the outdoors.
Want More BC Hiking Inspo?
I regularly share new trail guides and outdoor travel stories from Vernon, the Okanagan, and beyond. Follow me on Pinterest/IG/Facebook @skihiketravel or subscribe to my blog for updates!
If you’ve hiked Twin Lakes, I’d love to hear your story in the comments below!
