4 Ramblers met at the Lantern Creek trailhead shortly after 09:00. With the temperature hovering just below freezing, we brought our water shoes with us as we made our way circuitously down to the Highwood river, prepared for a frigid ford. Serendipitously, we encountered a large fallen spruce tree precisely at the right spot and angle to allow us to cross without getting our feet wet.

Highwood River crossing on fallen tree

After leaving our superfluous gear behind, we followed hunters’ footsteps up a cutline westward through choking Alder bushes.

Up the cutline

2 kilometers from the river, having crossed a drainage a couple hundred meters back, we arrived at a somewhat-open area signaling the start of our northward ascent up the ridge.

Crossing the drainage

The forest was steep but steady progress was made thanks to intermittent game (and people) trails and lack of snow on the south aspect lower down. The trees started to thin out as our elevation increased and we encountered more snow the higher we got. Along the ridge proper, we enjoyed the stark contrast of amber larch trees against the snow.

Upper Odlum ridge

Odlum East Peak in view

We had lunch in a dry sheltered area on the ridge then hiked the short distance up to Odlum east peak for glorious 360-degree views.

Happy Ramblers on the summit

The sun came out as we headed down, following essentially the same route back. Saw our cars again after a fulfilling 7-hour autumn adventure. 13.2 km, 793 m net.

Thanks to John, Clifton, and John for joining me, Brian C/S.

Odlum East Peak Route