March 16, 2024 -- by Harrison Lake
Stats: 20.1 km / 1216m elevation gain / 1071 m high / 6:35 hours MT
I didn't expect the snow to be quite that low (650m) but most of the ascent was on a west-facing slope, in the forest that didn't get filtered sun till mid-afternoon. And the massive body of water that makes up Harrison Lake probably lowers the temperatures a little. Hind sight, snowshoes would've been better than micro-spikes. We ended up doing a lot of mostly ankle-deep sinking-steps but about 10% were shin-high. Thanks, Peter for taking the lead.
Most of this route is on a old FSR so the grade was steady but not steep. The last half an hour before the summit did involve some steep slopes, but they were short-lived. All in all, it made for a challenging tough day which made the reward at the summit that much more gratifying.
8:30am and we were on the way. Just round the first bend was this gold mine. I have yet to see any kind of activities going on there.
Echo Island in Harrison Lake -- northwest.
There used to be a very narrow sketchy trail here.
Harrison River and Lake with a small view of Sumas Prairie to the left -- west. At this broad viewpoint we were 2/3 of the way with 800m of elevation gain behind our backs and at an altitude of 800m. This is where we strapped on our micro-spikes and gators.
A small lake farther down the trail from Bear Lake.
The alder tree tunnel.
At a fork in the FSR we stayed left and followed the pink tapes that led pretty quickly left onto the submerged forest trail.
Group shot: Deena Barclay, me, Peter Kanselaar + Sandeep Ghuman
Made it!!! It took us 3:45 hours moving time to get here. The snow had slowed us down and made us work a bit harder so we were good and tired.
Other than these three young people who arrived about 10 minutes later than us, we had the mountain to ourselves. Conway Mt + the Cheam Range -- south.
I so enjoy bringing new-comers up here and wittnessing the "Wow!" moment when they finally submerge from the trees and see this view. And all three of our group were first-timers. In fact, it was Sandeep and Deena's first time out with our club. And dutch Peter's first time on a Canadian mountain! A rather rough introduction. But as Peter said, once you saw the views, you forgot about the sore muscles.
Chilliwack and the Fraser River -- southwest.
Deena was nursing a blister and Sandeep set his wet socks out to dry on the warm rock. With a warm wind and full-on sun warming our skin, we were in no rush to leave our lofty perch.
At the eastern end of the Fraser Valley.
Hwy. 1
An hour later we started back. Our descent took 2:50 hours MT.
north
The Breakenridge Mountains to the right.
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