The ridge connecting Highwood Ridge and Grizzly Ridge

We left the Highwood Pass parking lot under bright blue skies and headed up to the base of Highwood Ridge. The route up the ridge was snow free and after a little more than an hour after leaving tree line, we reached the high point of Highwood Ridge. The recent snow had blanketed the higher surrounding peaks with a coat of white.


Approaching the top of Highwood Ridge

Yolande a few metres below the top of Highwood Ridge

A very snowy Mount Rae from the top of Highwood Ridge

There was a brisk cool wind at the top of Highwood Ridge, so after a short break the group began the traverse of the connector ridge between Highwood and Grizzly Ridges. The route along the connector ridge is a mixture of off trail and relatively easy scrambling terrain.

Traversing the connector from Highwood Ridge

The last section of the connector ridge below Grizzly Ridge

The connector was snow free except for two small snow patches. A couple of short down climb sections along the ridge provided the most challenge.


One of a couple of down climb sections along the ridge connector

The connector ridge pops you out at the high point on Grizzly Ridge. There the group stopped to take in the spectacular views, before traversing SW along the ridge to our lunch spot.


Ramblers at the high point of Grizzly Ridge

After lunch we continued traversing the ridge and dropped down to Grizzly Col for a final rest break.


Traversing Grizzly Ridge from the high point

Upper Pocaterra Cirque from Grizzly Col

There is still considerable snow in the upper portion of Pocaterra Cirque, but the snow was firm and made for easy travel.
The lower section of Pocaterra Cirque is loaded with deep avalanche snow from the steep slopes of the North side of the connector ridge. It will a month or more before this snow is likely to disappear, if at all this summer.


Deep firm winter avalanche snow in lower Pocaterra Cirque

We were back at the vehicles by 2:30 PM. One of the best things about the Highwood Grizzly summits loop is that you are treated to great views for about 80 percent of the route, something not common with most routes. My thanks to Sim,Christine,Jim,Yolande,Gary,Nancy,Phyllis,Susan,Janice,Marietta,Inge,Yoko and Brian for their great company and for joining me Kevin (C/S) on a thoroughly enjoyable day scrambling in the Highwood Pass area of K Country.

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