Grizzly Col/Paradise Valley/Highwood Ridge Off-Trail Hike on 9-Sep-20

On a warm sunny morning we left the Highwood Pass parking lot and headed up the normal route towards the junction of the Grizzly Col/Pocaterra trails. We took our first break in the grassy cirque just below the scree climb up to Grizzly Col.
Looking towards Pocaterra Ridge before the scree climb to Grizzly Ridge
Looking towards Pocaterra Ridge before the scree climb to Grizzly Ridge

There were only minor flood washouts of the trail up to Grizzly Col.

Francisco at the top of Grizzly Col. Note the recent debris slides across the trail
Francisco at the top of Grizzly Col. Note the recent debris slides across the trail

Then we followed a reasonably obvious trail straight up the Grizzly Ridge where we had our first view of Paradise Valley with Highwood Ridge on the left.

First view of Paradise Valley from Grizzly Ridge. The route went down the scree slope on the right, across the meadows, crossing the gully at the far left, along the grassy bench and up the grassy slope to Highwood Ridge
First view of Paradise Valley from Grizzly Ridge. The route went down the scree slope on the right, across the meadows, crossing the gully at the far left, along the grassy bench and up the grassy slope to Highwood Ridge

Three of us took a short diversion to the high point of Grizzly Ridge while the rest had a break out of a light but cool wind.

Return to the ridge col from the high point
Return to the ridge col from the high point

Then there was the steep scree descent down to a grassy bench for our lunch break overlooking the valley.

Main lunch break after the scree descent
Main lunch break after the scree descent

Crossing the Paradise meadows was particularly enjoyable, with sun, minimal wind and surprisingly vigorous flowers amongst the early fall colours.

Crossing the beautiful Paradise meadows with the asters in full bloom
Crossing the beautiful Paradise meadows with the asters in full bloom

The climb up to Highwood Ridge was steep (some called it brutal), but you could choose a route with no scree and the views back into the valley were always great.

Last part of the climb to Highwood Ridge
Last part of the climb to Highwood Ridge

On Highwood Ridge we could look back at our descent route and then head up to the North high point and back to the parking lot on the usual route.

Group on Highwood Ride. The scree descent route is the open scree below the cliff band.
Group on Highwood Ride. The scree descent route is the open scree below the cliff band.

A trip (where we met no other group) enjoyed by Francisco, Maria, Doug B, Harold, Carl, Sue and Doug (C/S/P)

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