The group left the Sunshine Lodge area at the top of the gondola at 8:30 AM and headed along the Citadel Pass trail. Given the early start, we had the trail all to ourselves all the way to Citadel Pass. The sky was clear to the North and east, but a smoke haze was present to the West and South.
Howard Douglas Lake
After a brief rest stop at Howard Douglas lake, we continued on towards Citadel Pass.
Citadel Peak
Group taking a break at Citadel pass
At Citadel Pass we took another rest break and donned helmets before heading up the SW slope of Citadel Peak.
Quartzite summit block of Citadel Peak
At the quartzite summit block we traversed left along it's base until we found a couple of likely routes up through the cliff band.
Traversing around the base of the summit block
Ingrid coming up the cliff band
The group split into two groups of seven and followed each made their way up the quartzite rock to the upper ridge. A short ridge walk led the group to the broad summit. The trip from trailhead to summit took 3.5 hours.
Looking NW towards Quartz Ridge with Mt Ball in the distance
Most of the group enjoying lunch at the top
At the summit the group had plenty of time for a long lunch break and to take in the views. Unfortunately the smoke to the SW obscured what would have been a great view of Mount Assiniboine and the peaks in that area.
Ulrike and Bill heading down from the summit
Cordula and Gary scrambling back down the cliff band
After an hour at the of Citadel Peak, we headed back down the SW slope, enjoying some easy scrambling on solid quartzite rock. After a brief stop at Citadel Pass, we headed back towards Sunshine Meadows. Near Howard Douglas Lake, 30 minutes of moderate rain and about 5 minutes of small hail necessitaed donning our rain jackets. The rain stopped and we enjoyed sun/cloud skies for the rest of the return hike to Sunshine. The group arrived back at the gondola at 4 PM , which we took back down to the parking lot.
My thanks to the group Arnold, Bill, Brian, Katrin, Fiona, Evan, Gary, Susan, Ulrike, Terry, Gary, Cordulaand Ingrid for their great company and for joining me Kevin (S/C) on a very pleasant day in the Citadel Pass area.
