We arrived at the Chester parking lot to find that the Chester Lake trail and the access to Mt. Chester had been closed the day before (July 4th) due to a grizzly in the area. So as an alternative the group decided to head up to Burstall Pass and do Snow Peak instead. There is still alot of snow at the top of the passes and on the ridge between the passes.

Still a lot of snow left in the Burstall Pass area

Traversing from North Burstall Pass towards Snow Peak

We headed up the usual route along the South Ridge but encountered steep hard snow on the upper shoulder section. After an aborted attempt to cross the snow, we descended a short distance and traversed around to the West side of Snow peak and found an alternative route through the cliff bands which was snow free.


Susan approaching the summit with Leman Lake in the background

Cornices along the North side of the summit ridge

The 360 degree views from the summit of Snow peak , were as always spectacular.


Burstall Pass and Mount Sir Douglas from the summit of Snow Peak

Ramblers on the summit of Snow Peak

The group enjoyed a long lunch break on the summit under sunny blue warm skies.


Mount Assiniboine from the summit of Snow Peak

Traversing back along the summit ridge

We retraced our route back down through the cliff bands. Great scree and snow chutes brought us most of the way back down to Burstall Pass.


Descending the snow chutes on the SW slope of Snow Peak

The group took another rest break at North Bursatll Pass , before making our way back to the Burstall Parking lot.

Thanks to the group for their great company Simon, Arnold, Bill, Alda,John Jack, Susan, Gary and Carl and for joining me Kevin (C/S) on a fabulous day in the mountains.

Total distance 19 km

Net elevation gain 875 m

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