We set off up Lantern creek just after 9:00 am for our objective which lay north and west of Picklejar lakes. Trail conditions were bare and dry in spots, packed snow in spots, ice in spots and powder snow on the north side of the pass between Lantern creek and Picklejar creek .... just about everything!
After a break for a bite to eat in the last trees near the third Picklejar lake we set off up the scree to the north. We suspect this scree is easier in summer as a bare runnel which, when it is not frozen, would probably provide the rated OT4 route up the scree. The frozen ground on Sunday did not provide an opportunity to dig the edge of a boot into dirt for grip so we tried the various other alternatives of the rocks, hard snow or combinations. Care was required as the hard frozen ground did little to allow rocks to dig in either so rock movement, once started, tended to be more prolonged than would be the case in summer.
Once we gained the windy ridge we had a good view across a basin to our objective. There appeared to be a couple of routes to the summit ridge and we took the less snowy eastern ridge. The alternative, some ribs at the western end of the basin, had much more snow of indeterminate hardness. The east ridge route suggested by Alistair proved a good one which he lead up over mixed snow and rock. A wonderful view from the top of all the peaks around the headwaters of the Elbow and Sheep and to the west the impressive peaks of the Italian group could be seen. Cloud was spilling through gaps in the divide on the nearby Elk Range and you could see some peaks way to the south I did not identify.
We got back to the cars, without need of headlamps, I think around 5:30 - 6:00 pm and back in Calgary before 8:00 pm. An enjoyable day and very satisfying to get a peak above 9000' this late in the year - thanks again Alistair.
Ascending scree gully above Picklejar lakes.
Alistair on summit Peak 571003 .
Descending Peak 571003 looking across ridge above Picklejar lakes to the Elk range.