September 30, 2020 - Stats: 12 km / 967m gain / 2213m high / 5:15 hours MT
This was a tough one. It involved a gruelling climb on a talus slope, some scrambling nearing the summit, some haze from the US forest fires and heat amplified by rock. But it was well worth it. Thankfully we did not need our -micro-spikes or head-lights.
With the daylight hours decreasing, we were on the road by 7:00am.
Four four-wheel drives got 17 hikers to the highest parking lot. From there it was only about 20 minutes walk to the meadows.
The landscape transformsed from summer to autumn. Such short seasons up in the alpines. Soon snow will cover the ground. But for now, to our benefit, it had held back.
You cannot see the peak from the meadows. Its tucked behind the mountains to the left.
We turned left at the end of this valley.
Looking back at the other end of the meadows.
Now the hard part began. This slope was very steep.
Halfway up the slope we did a wait-up and then took this group shot of 17. I didn't expect such a large group, it being such a long day and far drive. But this window for these higher hikes is closing soon.
Up on the ridge after climbing the upper half of the steep now talus slope. Cairns were there to mark the way. Mt. Fee -- south.
Once on the ridge we turned west.
First view of the snowfield and the peak to the left.
Made it! The group filtered in within a range of 1:15 hours -- a variety of different paces.
Group shot minus 1.
South west.
Pyroclastic Peak and Mt. Cayley.
Northwest.
Rainbow Mt. -- north.
Castle Towers, the Black Tusk and Garabaldi Mts. -- east.
Southeast.
Mt. Fee -- south.
Heading back down. There was no need for our micro-spikes because there was no snow on the trail.
No, that was not our dog. Thanks to his owner for taking our group shot.
Careful steps down.
Wedge, Blackcomb and Whistler Mts on the horizon, above a layer of smokey haze -- northeast.
Looking back at the peak.
The meadows.
Taking wait-up breaks was no problem. Not with so much to see.
Back on the final steep slope above the meadows.
Headwall waterfalls.
We had to cross the creek here.
Fading light. We made it back to the parking lot at 6:30pm, half an hour before sunset. Our convoy of four parted ways once back at the highway. Or so we thought. Us and Bote's group bumped into Joachim's truckload back in Squamish where we were picking up fast-food to eat on the long drive home.
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