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China Nose Mountain
aka China Knows Mountain
Houston, B.C.
August 6, 2026
Distance: 6.6 km (4.1 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 298 m (968 ft)
With wildfire smoke choking the mountains in Southern Alberta and B.C., Dinah and I headed north to the clear air of Smithers, B.C., a picturesque town known as Little Switzerland. Less than an hour from the town, we took a side trip to China Nose Mountain, a remnant of a massive lava flow. The mountain strikes an impressive pose with cliffs rising hundreds of metres. A trail climbs up through a burnt forest to the open summit.
From Highway 16, we followed back roads for 15 km. The last kilometre has a few deep ruts that require a high-clearance vehicle. Sonny's trip report includes details on how to get there.
From the parking lot, we started up the trail on a bushy slope. After the grade eased, we reached the edge of a forest destroyed by wildfire. Grey, bare trees lined the trail, and a few had fallen across the path. Ahead, the ridge rises so steeply that ropes have been added to climb it.
After the roped section, the grade eases for a time, before hitting a mild steep section. Beyond that, the trail runs over two small bumps before reaching the rocky summit. There are no nearby mountains to view, but the lakes below created a nice scene. However, thousands of winged insects bedevilled the top of China Nose, and we didn’t stay long. We followed the trail back down through the dead trees.
China Nose Mountain appears ahead. After this bridge, the road became deeply rutted in places.
Dinah starts up the trail
The hike begins up a bushy slope
The ridge in the back includes a steep climb
We often encountered deadfall on the trail
The steep section with ropes is just ahead
Dinah grabs one of the ropes
The trail levels off, but there's a mild steep section ahead
Coming up to the next steep section
A moth caterpillar with a false eyespot on its rear crossed the path
Going up the steep section
Looking back
Ahead is the first of two bumps before the summit
Looking back at the first bump from the second bump
Lakes appear in the distance
Given the bare trees, unsurprisingly we saw few birds like this dark-eyed junco
The summit appears ahead
Approaching the summit
On the way to the top, we passed fissures
Looking at one of the lower points
Swans Lake in the centre
Standing on top of China Nose
