On Wednesday Ron, Wally and I discussed that maybe the front ranges have more snow at the moment than the main ranges. The forecast for the main ranges did n't look good for Sunday though. So I posted this trip to a smaller front range peak I had n't done before. Andrew Nugara's description and Bob Spirko's web site seemed to suggest you could get up the north west ridge in "sub-optimal" conditions. And .... We did.

The coordinator was ably assisted by David finding a trail to start us off after we left the Sheep trail shortly after crossing the bridge over the Sheep. We followed some game trails and fairly open forest to gain the ridge. Following the crest of the ridge provided some SC6 scrambling - with the ever present potential for loose rock though.

Rest stop above treeline

Along the ridge

Susan on rock step

Also with height came the snow.

The ridge steepens

Chau and Jeannine broke trail for us in steadily deepening snow - interspersed with scrambly bits.


Chau and Jeannine on a step

I think we got to the summit for a late lunch around 1:00 pm ...... but I forgot to check the time ..... to the north and west conditions looked gloomier ... but the summit was pleasant enough to have a quick bite.


On the summit

There was some humming and hawing about our descent route but eventually we settled on going down the south side of the peak to join the trail to Junction lake.


Jeannine enjoying the descent

Bob knew of the trail and I recalled hiking to Junction lake 2-3 years ago on an Ivan trip. There was potential to get cliffed out but Bob had been up that way before.


Down the easy snow of the south side

It looked steep initially but the route soon mellowed and worked well though a little longer in distance than our ascent route.


Back down to treeline

There was a sting in the tail though ..... a chilly crossing of the Sheep river ....and some folks had listened to(and believed?) the coordinator (never wise in this case) that our route would avoid a crossing of the Sheep (did I say our route UP?).

John braving the cold waters of the Sheep

Thanks to Gary, Susan, Chau, Bob, Bill, David and Jeannine for joining me, John, and being OK with route / trip changes - no headlamps though for our approximate 5:00 pm return time!