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Rocky Mountain Ramblers Association

Trip Report
Trip Date:
7-Nov-2021
Activity:
Trail hike
Trip name:
Cox Hill
Coordinator:
John
Report:

Our original objective was Belmore Browne but it was necessary to modify our plans after “losing” two of our participants between Valley Ridge Road and the trailhead, and one of them was our trip Coordinator. It did seem somewhat ironical that this should happen just 7 days after attending the Rambler search and rescue course! After waiting for 30 minutes, it was decided to drive back as far as the Dawson parking which would cover the roughest, steepest section of road, in the hope that we might find them stuck in the ditch. Surprisingly, there had been a 2 to 3 cm of new snow overnight which had made for some slippery hills and corners. The Cox Hill trail hike begins at the Dawson parking lot, and this would be our alternative destination for the day if we failed to find our missing comrades. After finding no-one, we set off for Cox Hill at about 10:30 am. Despite strong winds from the west, the ascent route was very well protected and it was only on the summit that we felt their full force. A massive bank of cloud hung over the mountains to the west, including Belmore Brown, which remained in the shadows for most of the day. The Cox Hill trail was in reasonably good in condition with compacted snow, but with some icy sections needing icers for the descent. We returned to the vehicles at about 4 pm after a very enjoyable day. An evening phone call to the trip coordinator confirmed one of our theories; that they had turned around due to the poor road conditions which had been made more challenging due to summer tires.
Thanks to: Rosanne, Philip, Kim, Arnold, Yolande, Shirley, Inge, Ross and Audrey for joining me. C/S John/p>




Cox Hill - lunch stop


The overlook made for a sunny, protected lunch spot with views of Moose Mountain



Cox Hill - suprise snow fall.


The overnight snowfall caught everyone by surprise, but still not enough for skiing.



Cox Hil - summit ridge


The summit ridge with a massive cloud bank to the west.



Cox Hill - summit stop


Hunkering down for a second lunch on the summit. The summit of Belmore Brown can be seen just to the left of Kim in the red jacket