Trip Report Details

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Trip Date: 26-Jun-2010
Activity: Scramble
Destination: Sulphur Mtn traverse

Report:

Six other Ramblers showed for this traverse. I had done it many years ago and remember it as being a pleasant walk along an undulating ridge, with a steep descent down the south end to the Spray River valley, and a long walk down the Spray back to the car.

The traverse includes four peaks, the second and third being the highest and of almost equal height. Sim's GPS showed the third to be 9 m higher. We climbed up the trail on the east side from the hot springs parking lot and after a brief stop headed south along the ridge. We maintained a fairly easy pace, and the greater part of the day was spent enjoying the fine weather and great views.

At the south end, a steep goat trail is easily followed down to the Spray. Parks Canada has closed the upper Spray to avoid wildlife disturbance. Anyone doing this route must factor this closure into their routing.

On the way back, I had been hoping to find a road that would lead from the Spray road up to the gondola parking lot. Such roads are shown on the various maps, and I remember having found a road when I had first done the trip. Rita had done the trip a few years ago and had taken a horse trail back up to the gondola. However, this trail looked rough and we opted to continue in hopes of finding another. No other was found, but once past the gondola we took the main town trail back up to the parking lots.

The total trip is about 28 km - almost 8 km along the ridge - and 1600 m. of elevation gain. It took us 11 hours, moving at an easy pace. The difficulty does not exceed SC5.

Thanks to the participants - Sim, Alda, Yoko, Susan, Gary and Rita - Bill (C/S).