Sept. 3 - 4, 2022 -- Chilliwack River Valley -- Stats: Day 1) 11 km / 1605m gain to upper Pierce Lake with overnight packs / 8:45am to 2:30pm including breaks Day 2) 45 minutes / 270m gain to summit / 10:00am to 2:30 pm
Totals: 24.75km / 2130m cumulative gain / 2040m high
This was a very challenging hike; steep, long, heavier with overnight packs and sprinkled with a bit of scrambling at the higher elevations. But it was oh so worth the effort. Catching the sunrise near the summit was a huge pay-off.
Day 1
Brian and Erv dropped us off at the trailhead. A good thing, because the night before three cars were broken into and had their windows smashed!
Me, Lori, Michelle, Terry, Kim & Kathy. This is the group attempting to do the Quest for Ten, put on by Sam Waddington's outdoor store on Vedder Road in Chilliwack. It was Kim's (Michelle's friend) first time hiking with us.
Packs on the back and boots on the ground at 8:45am. I set a steady slightly slower pace, knowing we'd be in for a long haul.
A bit of downhill by this fallen tree felt good, after a very steep climb for over an hour. Then the forest became quite pretty, the douglas firs and cedars being larger and the ground covered in a blanket of moss.
Fomitopsis Ochracea Indian Paintbrush
For about half an hour the trail followed high above the creek that flowed from lower Pierce Lake.
It took us 3 3/4 hrs & 1400m gain to get to the second lake. We did not take the short trail down to the lake, but had a snack and carried on.
This steep open slope held lingering flowers and required carefull steps. The dry trail was sharply slanted in sections with loose sand lacking secure footholds.
Pic 1) Evidence of a winter avalanche. 2) Approaching the headwall.
The trail climbed steeply upwards along the left side of the headwall. Its another 300m gain from the lower to the upper lake.
Crossing a talus slope, to the roped area.
Almost there with the summit southwest.
Phew. Couldn't wait to get our heavy packs off. But first we had to find a spot big enough for 4 tents.
The top of the waterfall flowing from upper Pierce Lake.
Setting up camp.
There are no official campsites here but some nice flat pots for pitching tents. Our spot was a bit farther away from the water but provided more shelter from the wind and enough room for 4 tents.
The evening brought on mist and low lying cloud.
Such peace and tranquillity. There was no longer any need to go anywhere or do anything. The tents were set up, dinner ws in our bellies and the water had been filtered for the next day. So we just sat and listened to the wind and gentle flow of water over the granite slopes. And absorbed the simple wholesome beauty of an alpine lake that changes tones when seen from different angles; from turqouise to cobalt blue to emerald green, as the daylight departed.
Later on, nestled into our sleeping bags for the night, Lori piped up and said, "Good night, John Boy." Kim responded, "Goodnight Mary-Ellen" and Terry added, "Good night Jim Bob" (Waltons Mountain). When I woke later at 4:00am to relieve my bladder, the night sky was amazing! The stars were so clear. I even saw a shooting star!
What would the morning bring? Would we have a clear sky till 9:00am as forecast ?
Day 2
When I poked my head out of my tent at 6:15 am, my excitement instantly mounted. Look at the sunrise!!! No time to waste! I strapped on my Fujifilm and quietly said to Terry, who I'd heard stirring beside me, that I was going for the summit. All of a sudden 5 voices were loudly proclaiming, "I want to come!!!", "I'll be ready in 5 minutes!!!" So I waited for the first person and off me and Michelle went. Soon Kim caught up. Photographing this landscape was a pure delight. I was revelling in the display of light, cloud & cobalt blue sky.
The summit in the sun.
The Cheam Range.
Looking back at our campsite + Terry & Kathy starting to come up.
East -- we could see smoke in the Manning Park region.
Mt. Pierce is 140m lower than MacFarlane and is also attainable from the upper lake.
Some scrambly bits.
east
Looking down on lower Pierce Lake.
Made it!!! Morning sun beaming through the Rexford Range to the left. Pointed Slesse to the right.
6-pic slider from north to west: 1) The Cheam Range - Mt. Cheam, Lady, Knight, Baby Munday, Stewart, the Still, Welch & Foley Peaks 2) Pierce Mt. 3) Upper Pierce Lake with Manning Park in the distance 4) The Rexford Range 5) Slesse Mt. 6) The Canadian & American Border Peaks
Four young people had gotten there just before us. That's them with their dog.
Almost back at camp and a rainbow accents the sky.
Rain & sun on Upper Pierce Lake.
Starting the long knee-grinding descent.
By mid morning a forest fire haze hovered over Lower Pierce Lake.
The headwall & rope sections.
Columbian Monkey Face
Fomitopsis Octracea Abandoned boots Scrambled Egg Slime
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