Summer-like conditions greeted us at the start of the hike and we hadn't gotten very far before clothing layers started coming off. We took a break at Grass Pass where the strong, but warm, westerly wind made its presence felt. Above the pass in the treed areas the wind was not an issue but in the open summit areas it was getting into blow-me-down territory. We decided to not proceed across the open slopes to the highest peak and were able to find a sheltered lunch spot behind some local terrain:

Lunch out of the wind behind a rock wall

There were good views from the top when you poked your head over the rock wall:


Slightly smokey view southwest from the Bull Creek Hills

The trail down is pretty well defined these days:


Heading down the trail

With the fine weather we decided to deviate from the trip plan and descended into the Fir Creek Valley, a route which most of the participants had not done:


One of many brilliant aspens in Fir Creek valley

Yo picks her way down a brushy steep section

Sonja below the steepest bit

A shown in the photos it is a rather steep descent at the head of the valley but then becomes an easy meadow walk lower down:


Easy walking in the Fir Creek meadows

There was time to stop and laze about in the sunshine and admire the yellow aspens and other fall colours. It was here that the local summer residents put in an appearance (black and brown cows). There was later a mini-stampede up the creek below us. Once at the bottom we exited onto Highway 541 for the 1 & 1/2 kilometre walk back to the cars at the very windy Sentinel parking lot. We saw no other people while on the hike.

Thanks to a great group of hiking companions with lots of interesting conversations: Ron C/S/P, Barbara, Arnold, Yolande, Nancy, Aldis, John (photo), Sonja, Teresa (photos), Joanne, Audrey, Steve (route advice), John, Jo.

fauna report: not much except John found an unwelcome companion when he got home: