The parking lot was empty when we arrived shortly before 10am. On the trip up through the woods, we saw several spruce grouse.

One of the many grouse seen on the way up the trail

When we reached the open area, it was surprisingly warm and we stopped for a first lunch break where we had great views and no wind.


Leaving our warm lunch stop with no wind

It was so pleasant for the middle of October, we relaxed for a while. Three people passed us, the first of the day. When we reached the upper meadows, there was a fairly strong winds and Bill decided to go for a toque, not a sunhat. The three people that had passed us while we were stopped for lunch were heading down as we were on the final hill towards the summit. The mountains looked particularly nice with the snow bringing out the strata. Again we found some areas at the summit that were largely wind-free, but it was certainly not as warm as lower down.


Doug and Aldis at the summit of Mt Lipsett with Mist Mt behind

Bill and Aldis at the summit of Mt Lipsett looking north

We lingered on the summit for the second half of our lunch and then headed down largely avoiding any snow.


Aldis starting down from the summit.

Just below the higher meadows, we met another couple on the way up who seemed well prepared. On the lower meadows there was a light wind, more than the way up, but still pleasant hiking. We had our third leisurely break near where we had our first stop to sit in the sun with almost no wind.


Bill and Aldis on our way back down

Then it became more interesting, but a bit sad. A couple passed us at our stop who had no food and asked us if we could spare them some. Much further down below the treeline starting about 2:30, we began to meet several groups: "How far to the hot springs?"; "Where does this trail go?"; "Is this the trail to Mist Mountain?"; "How far to the open area?" (about 40 minutes from the parking lot); None of these groups had packs big enough for warm clothes and one man had a short-sleeve T-shirt and no pack.

However, we had an enjoyable hike with great views meeting only two other groups, except for the last hour or so. Distance: 14.5km with a climb of 760m. With 3 long breaks, the trip took slightly less than 6 hours. Participants: Bill (P) , Douglas (CSP), Aldis

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