We set off up the well trodden trail up to the east shoulder of Yamnuska just after 8:00 am. I thought we would bushwhack into CMC valley from the shoulder so I had downloaded a GPX track from Bob Spirko's web site to help with the route. We did but if I had more closely followed Bob's track we would have been on the good trail into CMC valley.We got to the camp site by the creek just after 9:30 am. Toshiko found the creek crossing plank which most of us gingerly used.
David crossing creek in CMC valley.
We followed the good trail north west up CMC valley branching right from it on a fainter trail by a little cairn. Higher up there were intermittent slabs to avoid the scree up to a short slab traverse below a cliff. Then easy travel to the summit of East Wendell with the lead group arriving around noon for lunch.
Ascending East Wendell - A different looking Mt Yamnuska in the background
Pleasant temperatures and little wind allowed us to have a pleasant lunch on the summit.
Summit group East Wendell - nice Covid-19 protocol!
Though close to Calgary (we could see Calgary from our summit) it somewhat amazes me how remote the South Ghost is.
Summit East Wendell with remote peaks of the South Ghost behind
On descent we regrouped at the slab traverse and decided to descend the scree in three groups of three people. The groups were spaced out by 200-300m to minimize the amount of rock flying around people. Seemed to work well as we got back to the CMC valley trail safely in good time. Returning to Yam shoulder we easily found the good trail that is actually signposted from the Yamnuska trail! In a couple of spots this trail has options but in general is easy to follow. A few spots of rain as we descended back to the trailhead but so little that no rain gear was needed. Back at the cars around 4:00 pm. Thanks to participants: Sim,David,Jeannette,Evan,Gary,Toshiko,David and Tatyana from John for an enjoyable day and help routefinding.
