We had a fantastic trip, with great views of Robson from three sides, and a taste of more typical weather (wet and misty) only on our way out.

Tuesday - Calgary to Mt Robson Provincial Park and backpack in to Whitehorn campground (11 km, 250 m climb)
We set out from Calgary a little after 7, met at Lake Louise for coffee and Jasper for lunch and were finally ready to hike a little after 3. We regrouped at the Kinney lake campground and continued on to arrive at Whitehorn a little after 6.

Evening view of Whitehorn Mtn from Whitehorn campground

Wednesday - Backpack to Berg Lake campground (10 km, 500 m climb), set up camp, then a day hike to Adolphus Lake, Mumm Basin, Berg Lake Cave and Toboggan Falls (about 12 km, 550 m climb).
The walk up the Valley of a Thousand Falls was beautiful.


Alicja, Yoko and Susan at Falls of the Pool

Alicja, Yoko and Carl at Emperor Falls

In the afternoon we started on the trail to Adolphus Lake over the mighty Robson Pass. It is all of about 6 meters over Berg and Adolphus Lake! From there we headed up on the Mumm Basin trail.


On Mumm Basin trail (Berg Lake, Berg Glacier and Mt Robson in background)

The Berg Lake cave is only a short detour on the way down.


Berg Lake cave

And on the return to Berg Lake we passed by Toboggan falls which has carved out some interesting potholes/sculptures.


Carl in Toboggan Creek pothole

Thursday - Hike to Snowbird Pass and Titkana Peak. (24 km, 1200 m climb)
This is a very interesting hike as the first two hours are through glacial rubble with nary a plant to be seen, the next part is through a lovely alpine meadow, and finally there is a climb on a trail through rubble to the pass with spectacular views of the massive Reef Icefield.


Robson Glacier and Mt Resplendant

Carl, Damian, John, Susan, Alicja, Christine, David, Yoko and Ivan at Snowbird Pass (Mt Robson in background)

From the pass we took two different routes up to the summit, the nominally easier one turning out to share the worst part of the ridge route.


On the summit of Titkana Peak

On the return we found a better route that had only a little OT5 terrain.


Glissading off Titkana Peak

Friday - A hike to the Hargeaves viewpoint and the bowl above Toboggan Falls (about 10 km, 450 m climb), three went to Mt Anne-Alice (1200 m climb), and later a walk back to Adolphus lake (6 km, 0 climb).
Three cut off the Hargeaves trail at it's high point and found a good OT5 route up to the named point on Mt Anne-Alice.


Alicja, John and Carl climbing Mt Anne-Alice

Well actually we had to stop a stone's throw from the summit as marked on the NTS map because there was a wild cornice with a 1500 foot drop on one side and a 500 foot slide to a 1000 foot drop on the other. And as it turns out, Bivouac.com indicates that the true summit is a higher point another km further on. That would require good visibility and glacier gear. The rest played around in the bowl above Toboggan Creek.


David, Christine, Ivan, Damian and Susan in Toboggan Creek drainage (Mt Anne-Alice in background)

All were back and twiddling thumbs by 4 so we took another walk over Robson Pass to Adolphus Lake before dinner.

Saturday - A long walk out in mist and drizzle (21 km, about 100 m climb) and a long drive home.
It was interesting to see what the area can be like, when it is not so pleasant. But it was a pity for all the people that we met hiking up the trail.

Ivan hikin' in the rain (and mist)

We left the campsite a little after eight and were back at the cars before 2, home in Calgary around 10 after stopping at the Outpost for dinner and debriefing.

A million thanks to Ivan for coordinating the trip from participants Alicja, Christine, Susan, Yoko, Damian, David, John, and Carl (scribe).

PS Many more photos at: Carl's MobileMe Album CVM