As has been the case for many hikes this year, Healy Pass was a flower fest with the meadows putting on a stellar display. We made good time up the trail to stay ahead of the bugs and were warned at the campground of grizzly sightings below the pass. At the treeline we were treated to waves of purple fleabanes interspersed with yellow arnicas:


Healy Pass fleabanes

There were also fine examples of paintbrush:


Paintbrush and arnica

We continued up to the busy pass with improving views of the Monarch and the Ramparts


Monarch Ramparts

but Mr. G. Bear was nowhere to be seen. After a quick snack stop overlooking the Egypt Lakes to the west and the trail to the east:


Healy Pass, view east to Sunshine

, we headed south along the Ramparts where we were greeted with a stiff wind along the ridge. Lunch at the high point was taken in the shelter of the slope on soft vegetation or just below the eastern precipice overlooking the tarns below.

After lunch the strong wind on the Ramparts kept the bugs away and we had fine views to the south towards Assiniboine.

On the Ramparts

On the ramp down to Eohippus Lake we took a break and spotted a couple of goats cooling their feet on a snow patch below the Monarch. We bypassed the potentially buggy Eohippus and headed up the trail back to Simpson Pass. Out of the wind below the Ramparts it was quite hot so upon reaching the tarn along the trail, 5 participants took a very refreshing brief dip in the cool water. In the meantime Tony went in search of Bill Peyto's old cabin but was not able to report success.

After that it was the long walk down Healy Creek to the parking lot. At a creek crossing stop there was a possible splashing harassment incident involving an ex-President and some notorious rabble rousing members, however no injuries occurred. A coffee stop was made at Beamers before we joined the horrendous backup of traffic that stretched from Dead Mans Flat to the scene of a grass fire near Chiniki that had jumped the road to the median. Participants Jeannine, Rita, Tony, Ivan, Carolyn, Bernard, Barbara, David and Ron, coordinator & scribe.