Day 1

The Headwall

We left Cataract Creek Recreation area and the temperature was pleasant but air quality poor due to smoke from area forest fires. The Highwood River crossing was knee deep and a trail up to the headwall below Carnarvon Lake was in fine shape. I’d read several reports of people apprehensive about tackling the headwall chains with a heavy pack so didn’t know what to expect. In the end it wasn’t that bad, just focus. When we arrived at the unofficial campsite it was occupied by a few other parties but there was plenty of room to pitch a tent.

Ulli F ascending the headwall using chains below the lake.

Carnarvon Lake above the headwall on the Alberta side.

A lot of trees in the area have been cut down so we pitched out tents here.

The Rambler Band. It's amazing the music one can create with three sets of drumsticks and a recorder. We rocked it.

After dinner we gathered around a makeshift fire pit for a music session. I brought three sets of drumsticks and a recorder and The Rambler Rhythm and Wind Ensemble was born. When musicians gather for an outdoor adventure there is going be music, it’s a splendid way to pass time under a setting sun. Every evening we assembled to bang out Iko Iko by the Dixie Cups, Israel ‘IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of Somewhere over the Rainbow and a few other tunes. So fun and wholesome.

Day 2

Mt Maclaren

It was an early start up the headwall to the base of Mt Maclaren and the heat was intense until we reached a shaded west slope. From this point onward wind kept us cool from a blazing sun. We gained the ridge in no time and walked north to a bump where we took a break.

Christine G coming up a lower slope just below the ridge of Maclaren's false summit.

Mountains across the Highwood River Valley were not visible due to thick smoke that settled into the area overnight, rather unfortunate. Anyhow, after refueling it was time to get up and make our way to Maclaren’s summit.


Making our way to the false summit, higher peak on the left.

We tackled the peak’s scree slope picking our way up to a large cairn and were delighted to reach what we thought was the summit. After about 30 minutes of lounging Ulli F checked her GPS and informed us we hadn’t reached the high point, we were on the false summit, the true summit was in the distance! Oops, we quickly packed up and left to achieve our goal of topping out on Mt Maclaren.


We hoofed it over to the true summit, right.

Upon reaching the summit we dug a register out of the cairn and inside were many familiar Rambler names. We noticed this peak doesn’t have many visits perhaps because its neighbor to the north, Mt Strachan, is a smaller objective. The group took many photos and we lingered for well over an hour before making our way back to the false summit to descend.


Well would'cha look at at that, an entry from the Ramblers in 1999! Christine G has already been here.

Christine G holding the summit register. And Jim.

Close up of B.C. peaks, unfortunately the smoke skewed our views.

Mt Maclaren summit shot.

Southwest view, it was very hazy.

Day 3

Mt Strachan

The forest fire smoke persisted and didn’t magically disappear like we hoped it would. We tried not to let this dampen our spirits while preparing for the day’s adventure. It was a later start than the day before as Mt Strachan was a smaller peak. Again we made our way up the headwall behind Carnarvon Lake. Turning north we ascended a grassy ridge which took us to treeline and Strachan’s southeast rubbly slope.

Crossing meadows at the base of Mt Strachan.

Even though we had a GPS track we deviated from it for no apparent reason and traversed below the base of some rockbands. The group split into two and each searched for a break to scramble up rather than continue ascending a scree slope. (This was obviously not the OT5 route.) We reassembled on Strachan’s south shoulder and walked to the summit where we were greeted by a horde of flies. It was an easy decision to continue onto the north summit for a lunch break, nobody wanted to swallow a fly.


After picking our way through the bands we could finally see Strachan's summit.

Jane is in her element as we make our way to the north summit.

Lunch on the north summit.

Christine M above Carnarvon Lake on the way down from Mt. Strachan.

After lunch we descended the southwest slopes toward some pinnacles and found a gully that lead us to the meadows above Carnarvon Lake. We arrived back a camp earlier than the previous day which gave us more time to jam and bang out some music.

Day 4

Chain Day

We awoke ahead of sunrise because the weather forecast before we left indicated record breaking temperatures. Our goal was to beat the heat. Even though there was some apprehension about descending the headwall chains with a big pack, all went well. As always, the hike out was an illusion of time, it felt like forever.

Sunrise over Carnarvon Lake, a great place for morning coffee.

A huge shout out to Christine G, Jane, Ulli F and Jim for joining me on a spectacular trip that will be stored in the good memory bank. Yours truly, Christine M.

Participants: Christine,Jim,Christine,Jane

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