Smutwood Peak Off-Trail Hike on 22-Sep-2010

We had a fantastic hike with unbelievable views! So very nice to see the sun and clear blue sky again. A few cm of snow at the base (gone during the day) and about ten at the summit. I apologize for the extra photos, but I had difficulty paring it down to just these.
We set out from the parking lot just west of Engadine Lodge at 10 in a little bit of snow and following fresh tracks of other hikers. Once off the old logging road, the trail by Commonwealth creek was muddy in spots and it is overgrown enough that we got quite wet from the foliage. But all of that was over fairly quickly and we were soon out into bright sunshine, lovely larches, and following not just hikers but also a large bear!
Alda, Beartracker!
Alda, Beartracker!

Once up at the first/lower Smuts pass we could see our destination which Andrew Nugara has dubbed Smutwood Peak. It isn't really directly between Smuts and Birdwood, but actually closer to and west of Smuts.

At first Smuts pass,
At first Smuts pass, "Smutwood" peak in background

At Smuts Pass we ran into two of the four hikers ahead of us, already on the way down. One was Kerry, known to Carl. The other two took an alternate descent, they included one-time Ramber Benjamin. From the higher Smuts pass it is a fairly straight forward OT5 trek to the false summit and then on to the true summit. There are frequently options for a bit of scrambling by staying on the ridge, the easier route is a few meters down on the west side.

Alda on the false summit of
Alda on the false summit of "Smutwood" peak, true peak in background

It was around 1:30 by the time we made the summit.

Three on western peak of Smutwood (Brussilhof in background?)
Three on western peak of Smutwood (Brussilhof in background?)

Bill, Carl, Damian, Bob, Alda and Marg on Smutwood (Assiniboine in background)
Bill, Carl, Damian, Bob, Alda and Marg on Smutwood (Assiniboine in background)

We spent a little over half an hour at the summit.

Descending off the peak of
Descending off the peak of "Smutwood"

We decided to try the alternate descent route which worked out fine (as a descent route).

In the descent gully
In the descent gully

Instead of cutting over to below Smuts we elected to follow the ridge between the two Birdwood lakes which was a very pretty route.

On the ridge between the Birdwood lakes (Mt Birdwood in background)
On the ridge between the Birdwood lakes (Mt Birdwood in background)

In the larches between the two Birdwood lakes (Mt Smuts in background)
In the larches between the two Birdwood lakes (Mt Smuts in background)

We were back at the cars by 5. This was a strong group, so the trip might easily take eight hours. But we all thought it was a great trip that should be added to the Rambler repertoire. Ascent and descent routes are shown below.

"Smutwood" peak from first Smuts pass

Many thanks to Alda, Margaret, Bill, Bob and Damian for joining me, Carl (C/S). Thanks also to Marko from Calgary Outdoor Club for doing the trip a few days ago, which suggested it to Alda, who suggested it to me.

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