Dunn Peak is the highest mountain of our area and stands overlooking the North Thompson Valley, clearly visible from Kamloops on a clear day.   It is not easy to get to and once at the base, is a long climb on loose rock.   The hike in, though is pleasant day trip.   Drive north top Barriere and take the Barriere Lake Road east.   At a signed intersection, drive north towards North Barriere Lake.   Just before the lake, watch for a signed turn off called the Harper Creek – Dunn Forest Service Road.   This is generally a good backroad that goes 25 km up into a remote valley.   At about the 25km mark, watch for a road  going to the left and a sign – Dunn Peak – North Barriere Lake FSR.   The road is within the Dunn Peak Protected Area (BC Parks) but is rough.   It is possible to get in without 4WD but high clearance is recommended.   Park at a clearing and look for a sign on the left to start the trail.   The first 2.5 km climbs through a wet valley and forest up to the upper end of the pass, looking down at the Joseph Creek Valley.   A short descent leads to a meadow crossing and a bridge over the creek.   For the rest of the route, the trail follows Joseph Creek up to the foot of Dunn Peak.The trail is about 7.5 km long but is a slow hike. The trail is narrow and winding, rocky and rooty, and wet underfoot. We liked the views on the second half of the hike, but the whole area was wet, muddy and full of mosquitoes. Joseph Creek widens into small tarns at several points and there are views of the ridges and peaks of the Dunn Range at these open spots.

The end of the trail ends in a small meadow at the base of a cirque.   This is sometimes used as a basecamp for climbs.

The route travels through the bottom of wet, north-aspect valleys to a high cirque. We recommend a September-October hike into this area, after the meadows dry out and mosquitoes die down. It is a remote and interesting area worth visiting in the right season.