Trip Report Details

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Trip Date: 22-Jul-2012
Activity: Off-Trail Hike
Destination: Rummel Lake 200327 (Rummel Pass 212341)

Report:

While Philip took a group to Commonwealth we set off to Rummel Pass and the long-range view of his area. Our first wildlife encounter was a moose appearing from the woods near our cars.

Wildlife encounter - the welcoming committee

We set off shortly after 10 with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. The cut blocks are heavily re-grown now but we still had wonderful views. The trail is full of tree roots so it's eyes down much of the time. Masses of rhododrendron bushes are in bloom.

Rhododendrons en masse

Creekside trail below bridge

We re-grouped regularly and stopped at Rummel Lake in case anyone wanted to stop there. All opted to continue at least to the Big Rock where we had a short lunch break. We left 2 here and the rest headed up the rocks to have a second lunch at the Pass.

Crossing the snowdrift at the upper lake

The last climb to Rummel Pass

View from Rummel Pass towards Galatea valley and Lost Lake

Both upper lakes are quite full and there are still some snow drifts down to water's edge. We managed to negotiate them and climb the last slope to reach the pass and a view of the valley to the northeast. Another group had preceded us, some Weekenders, but there were very few people up here on this gorgeous day.

On the way down. Commonwealth & Smuts Mtns and Smuts Pass in view

Too soon it was time to head down and find our other companions and stop for a group photo at the Big Rock. Then it was back through the meadows with their carpet of flowers and, finally, down to the road. As we neared the road, the wandering moose appeared on the trail, unable to get by us and unwilling to go back to the traffic on the road. It did finally go into the bush so we could get down.

A meadow full of mountain avens with backdrop of mountains

We pose at the "Big Rock" - where's the beer?

Not the only wildlife we saw but all the rest were from the car coming back. Scads of sheep, another moose and a lone black bear in the grass beside the road near the Village. Thanks to a great group Bernard, Barb, Karen, Dave, Valerie, Barbara, Wally and Bob. C/s/p Dorothy-AnnA post script is in order - per Philip, seems that black 'bear' we saw was actually a wolf. Well, it did seem to be lying down, an unusual position for a bear.

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