Opal Cone - via Mamquam Lake Trail, October 2023
Opal Cone is a cinder cone located on the southeast flank of Mount Garibaldi in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. I got a good look at it about a week prior to this hike from The Gargoyles and Columnar Peak and was intrigued by the pyroclastic wasteland and icefields that lie just beyond. The "cone" and surrounding area would surely also offer outstanding views of Garibaldi itself from a side not often seen up-close. At around 35 km round trip, the approach is no slouch mind you, but with most of it dispatched by bike, it takes much less time and effort to get there than it would seem. Been out to the Elfin Lakes and beyond several times by now, so this report will just cover the hike and return to where I stashed my bike near the Elfin Shelter.
Continuing by foot from the shelter, I passed the "Saddle Trail" junction and proceeded straight onto the Mamquam Lake Trail for some ~3 kilometers to a small footbridge spanning Ring Creek. Classic volcanic terrain here, calling attention to the bare and eroded pumice slopes with a snowclad Atwell Peak towering above. The trail then parallels the creek for another ~1.3 kilometers before turning up to gain Opal Cone's south shoulder. Around the south side for a bit before turning left and following the Opal Cone Trail as it ascends the crest of an old lateral moraine now on the cone's east side. Up a short, steep pitch and then onto the crater rim, which I followed counterclockwise over several bumps to reach the true summit. Wowzers! What a view! Diamond, Garibaldi, Bishop and Lava glaciers from left to right looking north, the "Big G", Atwell, Diamond Head and Gargoyles looking west, peaks on the Mamquam Icefield to the east and so much more!
With time to spare, I decided to go get a closer look of the Lava Glacier and so completed my orbit of the crater rim before returning to the Mamquam Lake Trail junction. Turning left now, I contoured around a chocolate milk-colored moraine lake, crossed its outflow and proceeded along the east shore towards the glacier. Maps show it extending all the way to this lake, but as with everything else these days, the snout has pulled back considerably and now lies at least a half kilometer to the north. Slogged my way though soggy pumice and glacial till before finally setting foot on the ice. Flat as a pancake, the glacier extends a good ~3.5 kilometers straight north to intersect with the South Pitt Glacier at the headwaters of the Pitt River. Briefly considered pushing on in that direction to tag Viking Ridge (Peak) but ultimately decided against it as I had no interest in returning in the dark. Regardless, the highlight here is the view west of the Garibaldi Glacier with it's teetering seracs and hanging ice cliffs.
Having soaked it all in as much as I could, it was finally time to call it a day. Back to the trail, taking a shortcut this time by cutting over on the right side of the lake. Returned to the Elfin Shelter in good time, hopped on the bike and back to the trailhead about 8.5 hours after first getting going that day. This one greatly exceeded my expectations and makes for a fantastic Fall objective!
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