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Mount Seymour & Dog Mountain, October 2020

Late October now and I was looking to my "back yard" peaks for something in the 'hood to bag. Set course for Mount Elsay, the next peak after Seymour (and Runner). Alas a late start combined with verglass covered rock on shaded aspects made for slower than normal travel and ultimately conspired against me. Called it good at the final saddle where the routes for Elsay and Seymour diverge and just continued another ~5 mins up Seymour instead. If anyone's counting, this would now be my third time following previous ascents in January 2002 and October 2015. Fantastic views as always from up top, one of the best for the North Shore peaks and always a fun little hike for an otherwise "urban peak". Witnessed a rescue helicopter come to the aid of some teen sitting beside the trail just below the intervening Tim Jones Peak while I was up there. Asked if help was needed but couldn't quite make out what if any his injuries were, nor am I sure was he. Not that he seemed motivated to bother trying being that a helivac was on its way. God help us all. Anyway, made a short detour to catch the sunset from nearby Dog Mountain on my return to wrap up yet another fine Autumn day in the hillz!

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Panorama Ridge - via Rubble Creek Trail, October 2020

Situated between Garibaldi Lake and The Black Tusk, aptly named Panorama Ridge offers unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views of some of the best mountainscapes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Typically accessed from the Rubble Creek Trailhead, it is a popular hiking objective for at least 3 seasons out of the year. At about 30 km round-trip, it is also a longish one which thanks to a network of well-maintained trails results in a very manageable day trip for most. Taking advantage of another favorable October weather forecast, I set aside my lack of desire for yet again hiking the Rubble Creek trail and made tracks for Panorama Ridge.

With a foot or less of snow accumulation starting around Taylor Meadows and a well trod path the entire way to the summit, I found it to be an enjoyable albeit somewhat frigid ascent. The route finale follows a bit of a rock spur to reach a prominent bump on the summit ridge. Most appear to stop here, despite the actual summit being a short walk down to a saddle and up to the next highest point away. The view overlooking Garibaldi Lake and the peaks and glaciers that surround it most certainly do not disappoint and is the big draw for those that come this way. Mount Garibaldi rises conspicuously from the opposite side of the lake while the mighty Castle Towers Mountain looms just off to the ESE. Turn 180-degrees and The Black Tusk steals the show with an unending sea of peaks spread out behind it. The Tantalus Range is of course ever present there to the southwest and makes for an inspirational backdrop for much of the return to Taylor Meadows. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars with the half point deduction for the bruised butt courtesy of the icy Rubble Creek Trail descent!

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Evans Peak - Evans Peak Trail, October 2020

I was flipping through the online table of contents of 105 Hikes by Steven Hui in search of a good shoulder season summit hike. You know, something a relatively short drive away, not too terribly long or time consuming, doable with some snow up high and above all, good views. Basically, the same discovery process I employed for my preceding Sumas Mountain hike, except this time without the view-robbing clouds! 3714-ft Evans Peak out in Golden Ears Provincial Park seemed to meet those criteria, and so on a crisp and cloudless October morning I set out to bag this "beast" of a mountain. I had climbed the park's highest and namesake, North Ear several years back so I guess it seemed fitting to also stand atop one of lowest named summits in the park. Hoo boy!

Not too much more to say other than it's a steep forested grunt of hike before reaching a series of short rocky steps near the top, which by this time of year was coated in verglass and made for some tricky moves. Good views from the summit of the precipitous east faces of Edge and Blanshard peaks as well as Alouette Lake with Mount Crickmer on the opposite side. Usual suspects Mount Robie Reid and Mount Judge Howay also on full display to the north. All in all, a worthwhile Autumn jaunt with a unique perspective on familiar peaks!

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Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Mount Seymour & Dog Mountain, October 2020

Monday, June 14, 2021

Panorama Ridge - via Rubble Creek Trail, October 2020

Monday, June 6, 2021

Evans Peak - Evans Peak Trail, October 2020

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