The Skyline Trail - Maligne Lake to Jasper
Location of Curator Lake, just south of "The Notch" on the trail
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| Keith at "The Notch" |
We got up early, had breakfast at the A&W and drove up to the Maligne Lake parking lot. The trail up to Little Shovel Pass was through forest and was quite pleasant. The pass brought breeze, black flies, and good views to the north. We got to Snow Bowl campground with lots of time to spare so Ken headed off for a ridge walk to the west and Dale and I hid from the mosquitos and black flies in a very hot tent. A few couples hiked by with very small packs headed for the lodge close to Curator Lake to enjoy room and board. A rather large group of hikers from Vancouver arrived at our campground fully covered with goretex, and heads encased with mosquito netting. They must have been sweating like it was going out of style!
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| Snowbowl Camp - many bugs! |
We got up quite early on day two and headed off for Big Shovel Pass. We came across a group of five wolves that scampered out of a creek bed and went up a ridge above us. That was very cool.
By the time I got to the pass the wind had picked up and looking to the south, the clouds were getting more threatening. It soon started to rain and before the trail to Curator Lake campground Dale brought up the subject of staying there for the day. Based on the quickly changing weather, I thought he had a point. Luckily by the time we actually got to the trail junction, based on the view tot he west, both Ken and I were sure the weather was going to quickly change for the better. Within a very short time, the sun was out again.
By the time I had dragged my body up to the notch, not only had Dale and Ken had time for a nice long break, the weather was clear again! (see picture above) How quickly mountain weather can change!
Needless to say, the rest of the walk along the skyline and subsequent descent to Tekarra campround was very pleasant indeed.
The next morning Ken struck off early to get the car, and Dale and I started off about forty-five minutes after Ken. It was a gorgeous early morning walk on the trail as it traversed over to the Signal Mountain road. The walk down the road was long and boring, but at least it was a steady incline and it allowed me to go off on a reverie of memories from the last two days.
For more pictures and info go to Ken Willis's Clubtread article
Vicuna and Guanaco Peaks - by Alan Lizee
Location of Vicuna Peak
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| Vicuna Slabs |
On August 5th, I was part of a happy-go-lucky quartet that climbed Vicuna and Guanaco Peaks. We turned off the Coquihalla Hwy and drove up the Coldwater River forest service road until we were directly below the peaks where the road was blocked.A short jaunt up the road, a forest section, some bog, a boulder field, and finally slabby granite led us to the Vicuna/Guanaco saddle. We opted to climb Vicuna first, directly up its North East ridge. This was a fun class 3-4 scramble on sound, sticky-textured granite. At the crux we opted to go straight up the ridge crest (probably class 5) because there was a fixed cable to use if anything went wrong. Fairley's guide book describes avoiding this section by going around the to the left side. We all used the cable to some extent on ascent; and fully on descent. Guanaco Peak was part hiking and part easy scrambling. Marvelous views were enjoyed during almost the entire duration of the day's hike. - AlanFor more pictures and info, go to the Clubtread article.
Elk Mountain
Location of Elk Mountain
Ken Willis and I went off to Lake Louise for a week's worth of hiking, camping, photography, and restaurant food. Oh, and did I mention good weather, no bugs, wine and scotch sampling? Click Here to get the full story.
Elk Mountain
Location of Elk Mountain
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| Chris viewing the border peaks and the Picket Range beyond. |
Chris Cooper and I went up Elk Mountain just east of Chilliwack as neither of us had been up and it seemed to be a highly recommended hike and viewpoint. We were not disappointed. Views of fresh snow on Cheam and Lady Peak and panorama vistas to the south greeted us when we topped out.
A Rockies "Retreat" - Click here to get the full story.
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| Lake Louise |
Mt. Frosty
Location of Mt. Frosty - The end point of the trail.
I had read about the larches on the upper parts of the trail to Mt. Frosty in Manning Park for some time and wanted to see them for myself. I also wanted to get to the top of Mt. Frosty as well.
So on September 29th, Chris Cooper and Alan Lizee showed up at my place at 05:30 and we were actually hiking up the trail by 08:20! Manning Park is the larch's western limit and they also only grow above 6,000 fit. We hit it lucky as it was not only a great day weather wise, but the larches were on in colour.
Alan had done one of the Nesakwatch Spires the day before and he was still full of energy. You can read about that trip in the Clubtread article. It was a great day with great company.
Diamond Head Revisited
Location of Round Mountain, on the route into Diamond Head
"A brief history of a short journey back into the time of local Lobsters Keith and Chris, we have both become to love Diamond Head, on many occasions by Foot, Ski and Bicycle to an area that is truly unique so close to Vancouver.
Bylot Island, any Lobsters interested for Late April/ May 2010.
Best wishes to all devoted Lobsters,"
- Chris. Senior Lobster
Location of Mt. Frosty - The end point of the trail.
I had read about the larches on the upper parts of the trail to Mt. Frosty in Manning Park for some time and wanted to see them for myself. I also wanted to get to the top of Mt. Frosty as well.
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| Upper part of the trail. |
So on September 29th, Chris Cooper and Alan Lizee showed up at my place at 05:30 and we were actually hiking up the trail by 08:20! Manning Park is the larch's western limit and they also only grow above 6,000 fit. We hit it lucky as it was not only a great day weather wise, but the larches were on in colour.
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| Chris Cooper, Alan Lizee, Keith Rajala |
Diamond Head Revisited
Location of Round Mountain, on the route into Diamond Head
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| Elfin Lake |
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| Elfin Lake |
With all the most beautiful trips close to Vancouver, Diamond Head will always remain the favorite for me.
You may be somewhat surprised that this is Keiths 38th season here and for myself 46th season since 1962, here are a few photos from a wonderful time we both had, frost and cold we love and this will prepare us for future endeavors Im sure to Canada's more remote areas such as.......
You may be somewhat surprised that this is Keiths 38th season here and for myself 46th season since 1962, here are a few photos from a wonderful time we both had, frost and cold we love and this will prepare us for future endeavors Im sure to Canada's more remote areas such as.......
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| Keith enjoying the view. |
Best wishes to all devoted Lobsters,"
- Chris. Senior Lobster
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| Toivo Antero Rajala - April 25, 1918 to November 9, 2008 |
A better Dad one could never hope for.
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