Mt Sparrowhawk Scramble on 6-Jun-2018

Ten Ramblers started up the Sparrowhawk trail at 9 AM. A new trail from the parking lot does a single switchback to join the new High Rockies bike trail along and somewhat above the east shore of Spray Lake. The trail into the Sparrowhawk Tarns is at the same spot. We followed it for about half a kilometer to where the Mt. Sparrowhawk trail splits off. A fairly steep trail climbs to a ridge leading to Read's Tower. At the ridge a trail descends a little to bypass the tower, then leads to the slopes of Mt. Sparrowhawk.

Once we got to the bypass, we found snow cover which was still hard from the overnight freeze. The snow allowed step kicking almost to the summit. The last bit of the trail east around the summit block was quite loose: where there was snow good steps made travel reasonable, but where it was bare we were faced with sliding scree. The first people made it to the summit by 12:30.

Looking to the summit, from the ridge

John in front of Read's Tower

The last section around the summit block

At the summit

At the top, the wind was cold, but the views were spectacular. Spray Lake stretches out to the west and south, with Mount Assiniboine above. To the SE, the Memorial Lakes were visible below Mt. Bogart. The Lougheed group were close on the north side. Further to the south were Galatea and the Tower, with French, Sir Douglas and King George in the distance.

Mt Assiniboine over Spray Lake

Ribbon Peak, Mts. Kidd and Bogart, with the Memorial Lakes down in front

The four Lougheeds with NW on the left, 2, 3, and Wind Mountain on the right

Galatea and The Tower, with French, Sir Douglas and King George in the distance

The snow made the descent really pleasant as we were able to do 650 meters of plunge-stepping - about half of the total vertical of the trip. It was steep enough in one section, though, that most were glad to have their ice axe handy. The snow descent was much more enjoyable than banging down through the scree and was appreciated by everyone. After a short break at the col, a quick trip out the trail got us back at the cars by 4 PM.

An easy descent

A break at the col

Bruce and Michael toward the end of the snow

Thanks to everyone for joining me.

Participants: Sim,Bill,Arnold,Gary,Jack,John,Bruce,Lenard,Gary,Michael