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Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Rock Mountain - Rock Lake Trail, July 2024
This was the first objective of my week-long mini peakbagging trip through WA last July. Kinda got maxed out with the bushy cross-country approaches and post-holey snow, and was in search of interesting and unclimbed (by me) peaks with great views that also happen to be served by good trails. Accessed directly from Highway 2, about 14 kilometers east of Stevens Pass, Rock Mountain fit the bill perfectly. It would be my second summit on the ~5-kilometer-long alpine ridge flanking the north-side of the Nason Creek Valley, the first being Mount Mastiff which I hiked with my beloved dog Ozzie (RIP) back in 2010. Rock is neither the highest nor the most visually striking of the 3 main summits along said ridge, that distinction going to Mount Howard, but it is nonetheless a fine outing with a relentlessly steep but efficient trail leading up to the peak.
For something different I briefly considered the alternate approach and trail via Rainy and Snowy creeks on the north side but didn't relish the idea of abusing my campervan on the reportedly rough and busy forest road to get there. No, just the standard grunt up from the highway would do this time. With over 4000 feet to be gained over 7 kilometers, this would be a great warmup for the other peaks on my itinerary anyway. Driving from North Vancouver, it wasn't till about half past 10 am that I started hoofing it up the trail. The ascent is steep, but straightforward, following an endless number of tight switchbacks up the south face/spur. Continued past Peak 5489 along the way, soon reaching treeline with open snow slopes above. Made a left here (right goes down to Rock Lake) and proceeded up the wide eastern spur to gain a large saddle directly below the South Peak. From here it was just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other for the remaining half kilometer to reach the summit.
Cool and breezy up top, with clouds slowly beginning to part. Superb 360-degree views starting with the Chiwaukums to the south, Glacier Peak and the Dakobed Range to the north, and Nason Creek Valley winding its way through the mountains to the east. Spent a good hour or more up there, and I'm glad I did for just as I was about to head back down, a pair of C-17's came roaring down the Little Wenatchee River Valley before banking left up the White River Valley, all at an altitude BELOW where I was standing on the summit. Bear in mind that these aren't little fighter jets, but rather full-sized, four-turbine military transport jets, comparable in size to a compact version of the 747! Quite a sight to behold I tell ya. Started down very satisfied with the day and a great start to the remaining adventures planned for the week!
With recent reports of improved FSR access thanks to previously locked gates being left open, Wes and I seized the opportunity to finally tag Mount Urquhart. It is an attractive peak, appearing from most angles as a thumb of rock protruding from the forested hills that surround it. For those driving eastbound on Rte. 1 near Chilliwack on a clear day, its unmistakable summit horn can easily be spotted far to the NNE. Situated in the swath of mountains bound by Harrison Lake to the west and the Fraser Canyon to the east, this is an area where, save for Slollicum Peak, I have made little inroads so far. With this and a subsequent trip to the Old Settler, I was committed to once and for all changing that!
Considering the longish drive, we left town the afternoon prior with the intention of making a car camp at one of the numerous rec sites along the Harrison East FSR. Finally called it a night at the Cascade Peninsula Rec Site, making an impromptu spot of our own as all the sites were taken and it was getting close to being dark out. Nobody seemed to mind, so at least we had that going for us. I generally just pitch my tent in the truck bed, so if the parking spot is reasonably level I'm good. Wes on the other hand made do with a flat piece of ground on the trail leading to the outhouse. Good thing he's not the fussy type!
Up and at 'em first thing the next morning, completing the annoying pothole-ridden drive over the bridge spanning Cogburn Creek before hanging a left and proceeding along Cogburn FSR for some 14 kilometers to the BR2500 junction. Left here and continued to a final junction (BR2510) where we made a left once again and drove a kilometer or so before stopping. Parked right before a washout I could have easily driven over, but we were close to our peak by this point, and I saw no need to abuse my truck any further. Geared up and started hoofing up the road the remaining ~1.5 kilometers before diving off into the forest.
With GPX in hand, we followed a sparsely flagged climbers' path steeply upwards, eventually gaining the crest of a timbered spur protruding from the south flank of Urquhart. Trees soon thinned as we ascended into the alpine finding a mix of snow and heather. With the peak's imposing south face now directly above us, we traversed a large snow slope left (west) to reach the toe of the SW Ridge and our ascent route. Turing up the ridge, we proceeded up the steepening pinnacle before us, finding generally easy scrambling despite the daunting appearance from below. Soon found ourselves on the summit admiring the lovely 360-degree view! Most noteworthy were those looking south towards the Old Settler, NW towards the Breakenridge Group and SW towards Harrison Lake.
Had us a nice long rest up top before reluctantly beginning our descent. All was going well, until Wes motored on past me as I was refilling my hydration pack shortly before the descent back into the forest. Figured he'd stop and wait for me before dropping down into timberline where navigation would be a bit tricky, but oh no, he just blindly kept going. Only to then lose the trail and end up thrashing around in a ravine before I show up and help guide him back on course. No comment and no further drama after that, returning to the truck for a very civilized 8 hours round trip.
Set out for Gibson on what proved to be a marginal weather day, consistent with what the weather forecast predicted but which we foolishly hoped wasn't accurate. Made it to the trailhead under heavily overcast skies, thinking to myself that if at least if it doesn't rain all will not be lost. Several minutes into the hike, it started to rain. But fortunately, it wasn't heavy rain, more a light drizzle and so we forged on. Reached Watersprite Lake in good time and thankfully by then the showers had ceased. Wes and I have both been here at least once before, myself bagging the highest in the group Dreadnought Peak back in October 2018. No rain or snow whatsoever that time, opposite to the conditions we found at present.
Snowshoes on, and around the south side of the lake we go aiming for the amphitheater cradled below Martin and Gibson peaks. There's an Epiphone Peak and Fender Peak nearby in case you were wondering about the guitar theme to the names here. Slogged up saturated snow to the Martin-Gibson Saddle and contemplated our next moves from there. Straight up from the saddle pitched up quite steeply with a rock step that looked like it might require technical climbing. No interest in experimenting with that, especially considering the conditions. Wes was all for it, but then his skill at assessing terrain and navigation leaves much to be desired. Decided to descend the opposite side of the saddle for a bit before traversing to a shoulder on the south side of Gibson. Proceeded from there soon encountering a rock rib beyond which was a vertical drop off on the peak's SE Face. Turned up along this rib, then onto a snowy bench to wrap back around to the NW Ridge, above the rock step. Short bit of steep snow from there to the summit proper.
Views were decidedly moody thanks to the dark clouds just overhead and particularly to the west. Still a respectable panorama from up there panning from south to east to north - towards the peaks flanking the east shore of Howe Sound, Sky Pilot and co., Meslilloet and Gillespie Group to the SSE, the remote ranges flanking the east shore of Pitt River to the east and NE and finally north to Dreadnought with the Mamquam Massif lurking behind. Not too shabby for an otherwise miserable day! The rain soon resumed and so we cut our stay up top short, this time opting to descend via the North Ridge towards an obvious saddle. Some steep snow here, but still very saturated and soft, making for a nice log glissade. Returned to Watersprite Lake and on towards the trailhead again under intermittent showers. The cold beer afterwards never tasted better!
Some 12 kilometers due north as the crow flies from Coquihalla Pass lies July Mountain. It is an unassuming yet interesting peak on the eastern edge of the northern BC Cascades. I'm going out on a limb here and say that it probably sees far less traffic than it once did thanks to a couple significant washouts on the road to get there. For starters, there's a washed-out bridge on Juliet Creek FSR right where the road crosses said creek about 4.5 kilometers from the Hwy 5 off ramp, followed by another significant washout a few kilometers further on the Juliet 22-1 branch. All of which means that instead of a ridiculously short ~3 kilometers from the original trailhead to summit, these days it's more like 10 kilometers to get there. Still, not an unreasonable distance to go, and overall, easy and bush-free travel, so why not go check out something new I figured! Decided to bring my bike as that seemed like a good way to dispatch the extra FSR kms...on paper at least!
Parked just before a brand-new bridge with a tarp on top presumably to protect a still-curing concrete bridge deck. Walked my bike along the "curb" then down a short distance to the Juliet Creek crossing with missing bridge. Boots off and bike on shoulders, straining against a strong current in knee-deep water to get to the opposite side. Now following the left fork, I proceeded up the road littered with deadfall and annoying cross ditches. Just when I'd about had enough of the constant dismounting, I came across the second washout I mentioned. It's more of a ravine now, with a steep embankment on either side, so stashed the bike and proceeded on foot. Up ahead, the road rounds a shoulder and proceeds into South July Creek Valley to finally reach the July Mountain Recreation Trail marker. Following an actual trail now, I continued through a bit of forest then a minor boulder slope to reach the still snow-bound Drum Lake basin beneath July's North Face.
With the peak now fairly close at hand, I strapped on my snowshoes and made a rising traverse up past the lake to gain a saddle in the North Ridge. Proceeded along the mostly low-angled ridge over snow with some rock scrambling to the summit adorned with a cairn and thousands of ladybugs! Good views from up top, but then I always seem to say that! Most noteworthy were Coquihalla Mountain to Yak and Needle Peak looking south, the Anderson River Group to the SW, and the Breakenridge/Traverse Group far to the west. Also, a neat view of Drum Lake and out over the rolling hills of the interior plateau east of Coldwater River. Just under 4 hours to summit, but a lot less on return thanks to the cloud of mosquitoes chasing me down the forest road. Forded back across the creek and made it to my truck just as the sky unleashed a downpour, lending some credence to the old saying that here in the Pacific Northwest, summer doesn't start until AFTER July 4th!
Sandwiched between Lindeman Lake to the west, Flora Lake to the east and a much larger Chilliwack Lake to the south, Flora Peak is fine and easily accessed objective with outstanding 360-degree views. At just 13 kilometers round-trip, most of it on a well-established trail, and about 4600 feet of gain, it can best be described as "low hanging fruit" for the peakbagging set and their four-legged companions alike! Starting from the parking area off Chilliwack Lake Road, the trail climbs up though forest before traversing Flora's south slopes and from where the first views overlooking Chillwack Lake are had. Flora Pass comes a short distance later, where one leaves the main trail for a climber's path that continues off to the left (north). A bit of steeper hiking here, in my case through some lingering snow patches leads to the large summit area.
Great views as mentioned, particularly of Chilliwack Rivery Valley and the Welch-Foley group to the W and NW. The peaks along the east flank of Silverhope Creek from Hope Mountain to Silvertip showing up nicely as well. Of course, the real attraction is the view south and SW of the peaks and valleys both within and bordering the North Cascades National Park. Too many to mention here, so please enjoy the pics and see if you can identify them all!
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