Another wonderful day in the mountains as lots of people took advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures to get out. It appears all the other hikers on this route chose to do the one way car shuttle versus our out and back. We had a warm climb up the steep trail to the tree line and then up the bare ridge to the first summit:


Rest stop at first peak after 460m climb

Views of the surrounding area were superb. Then it was a short descent into the larch area to bask in their golden glow:


Larch lady Lalonde

Up and over the second peak we came across the first group of many bighorns seen this day, here is a big boy:


Bighorn ram along Pocaterra Ridge

On the final ascent up to the high point we came across the first of a number of irresponsible dog owners with unleashed dogs and at the top we unfortunately witnessed one kill a ground squirrel.

We stopped for lunch at the top and could see from there that the Highwood Pass parking lot was full with cars overflowing along the highway. To the west a number a few scramblers could be seen along the ridge between Mounts Tyrwhitt and Pocaterra while to the southeast Grizzly Col and Ridge had hikers visible.

Grizzly Col and Mt.Tyrwhitt from Pocaterra Ridge

We opted for a valley return and took the steep a descent via Little Highwood Pass. En route we passed a couple of unconcerned rams on the slope:


docile rams below Pocaterra Ridge

It was easy going along the valley bottom at the start, where a couple more rams were grazing and then we spotted a herd on the scree above


Lazing bighorns on scree below the Elk Range

; perhaps they are all resting up for the upcoming fall rut. Lower down there was a snow field to cross from which a small stream issued, but the hopes of some participants for a swim in Rockfall Lake were dashed when only a lakebed of dry mud was encountered:


Dry Rockfall Lake

This did not stop us from taking a break beside the “lake” to enjoy larches and the interesting geology of the ridge above:


afternoon stop at dry Rockfall Lake

Then it was back to the cars over a large boulderfield and trail through the trees before the final stream crossing:


Marietta on the balance beam across Pocaterra Creek

Thanks to a great group for joining me: Barbara, Jane, Larry, Kathy, Mario, Ginger, Harold, Klaus, Marietta, Jeanne, Gerry and Mohsen. Ron C/S/P.