Cirque Peak West, Crystal Ridge west of Helen Lake Off-Trail hike on

We arrived at the trailhead at Bow Summit described in Mike Potter's book, except there was no trail. So we bushwhacked across the meadows into the reasonably open forest and eventually found a trail coming up from the right. Soon we emerged above the treeline.

Carl and Philip emerging above treeline for our first views
Carl and Philip emerging above treeline for our first views


Then it was a long trudge up rocky slopes with good footing and eventually reached the summit of Cirque Peak West. The views were spectacular from treeline to the summit and all along the Crystal Ridge. The weather was perfect with a light cooling breeze so we took our time and had some long breaks. Because of some wide ridges and terraces below us on the west side, we never heard the road but could peak over the cliffs on the east side to hear the creeks in Helen Lake valley. We met no other group, but Ron counted 22 on the Cirque Peak ridge as well as lots of people on the Helen Lake expressway. One comment heard along the ridge: 'I think maybe I'll make this an annual trip!'

View from the summit of Cirque Peak West showing most of our route along Crystal Ridge on the right
View from the summit of Cirque Peak West showing most of our route along Crystal Ridge on the right

On the first flat area after leaving the summit of Cirque Peak West
On the first flat area after leaving the summit of Cirque Peak West

Doug on one of the many rocky sections along Crystal Ridge
Doug on one of the many rocky sections along Crystal Ridge

Along Crystal Ridge after the descent from Cirque Peak West
Along Crystal Ridge after the descent from Cirque Peak West

Heading along the ridge. Our next stop is the low point in the distance.
Heading along the ridge. Our next stop is the low point in the distance.

Admiring the view over Helen Lake valley. Heading for the snow patch in the distance,
Admiring the view over Helen Lake valley. Heading for the snow patch in the distance,

Terry having a nap with Iceberg Lake above Bow Lake
Terry having a nap with Iceberg Lake above Bow Lake

Crowfoot Glacier in the background
Crowfoot Glacier in the background

As we went along the ridge, we reached a point where we could finally see the road and our parking area at the Helen Lake trailhead. After some discussions, we decided to take a "shortcut" and head directly down to the road. Most of the route through the areas above treeline was relatively easy with only a few rocky sections that we could easily go down. The forest was open and we had no problems finding some openings.

Then we came to a steep, long boulder field... oh, oh. We could have climbed back up and traversed across to find an easier route, but we decided that we could make it down here.

Coming down the boulder field
Coming down the boulder field

Some of the comments when we started down and after we finally got through the really large boulders at the base: 'Two at a time through this top section and wait until we're clear!' 'This is more than I thought I had signed up for.' 'Is this a definition of OT6?' 'I feel I have really accomplished something' 'I love some of these more interesting sections on an OT hike.'

We took 7.5 hours to do the trip with several long breaks to enjoy the views. Although the trip is only 11 km, the ridge has a lot of rocky areas that take extra time.

Participants: Rosanne,Philip,Ron,Terry, (P), Arnold,Yolande,Nancy,Carl,Julien,David,Douglas (C/S/P)

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