A long trail has been partially constructed to this recently named peak of the Cariboo Mountains south of the Canoe River and west of Camp Creek. It is named after former Canadian prime minister John G. Diefenbaker. As a young lawyer, Diefenbaker was involved in litigation following a serious train collision on the lower slopes of this mountain south of Valemount. A stone monument and brass plaque near the Canoe River comemmorates soldiers and train crew who died in the 1950 accident.

The intent of the trail is to allow snowmobile-assisted snowboarding and other winter sports. The trail leaves the BC Hydro transmission line right of way south of the upper Canoe River and crosses through the woods past some small-scale cedar harvesting areas, connecting to an old logging road which accesses two large old cutblocks on the mountain slopes above Camp Creek. Just before these logged areas, the trail makes a right turn onto a very grown-in logging road, which was cleared to some extent by a bulldozer in the early 2000's but is rapidly filling in with brush again. This road traverses the slopes above the Canoe River. For a suggested bushwhack route to the summit, carry a GPS and leave the road near grid reference 430458 (you will need to know how to read the little blue squares on a topo map to do this - instructions are given on most topo map borders). Ascend through the forest following the north ridge of the mountain, which begins to take shape not far above the road. Follow this ridge in a long curve all the way to the summit. Or continue up the old road into the basin below the summit glacier and bushwhack up through the basin.

A route is being investigated for an actual trail to avoid bushwhacking. It may ascend the north ridge fron the grid reference noted above.

Please note that ascending this peak may involve bushwhacking through difficult north-facing slope brush at present. To access the existing trailhead and the proposed north access for summer use, take the first right turn off Highway 5 south of the Canoe River Bridge on Highway 5 south of Valemount. As you cross the tracks, the stone monument mentioned above will be on your left. Continue up the road to a BC Hydro powerline. Vehicles without four-wheel drive should be parked here. Ascend the powerline right-of-way about 0.5 km in a southerly direction to the top of a hill. An old road goes into the forest on the right (west) side of the powerline at the top of the hill. A short distance into the trees along this old road, the trail branches off to the left.

Hardly any, but hours and hours of bushwhacking time! This area is included in the guide because it is likely that one or more of the routes described here will soon become a practical trail through the efforts of local groups. At present, strong hikers can visit the peak and return in a long day.