It was minus 5 Celsius when our group of 6 started up from the Spencer Creek trailhead at 9:30 AM. I was surprised that four of the group had not done this trip before. We quickly warmed up as we made our up through the forest to the bottom of the rock garden. The frozen ground and recently fallen snow meant that micro spikes were the order of the day. The group stopped for a short break at the top of the rock garden before continuing on the trail leading up the forested section of the upper slopes of Little Lougheed.
The upper slopes above treeline were snow covered, but presented no issue, and two and a half hours after leaving the vehicles, we were on the top of Little Lougheed. The sunny cloudless blue skies made for spectacular viewing from the summit.
The group spent about 20 minutes on the top of Little Lougheed, before a 25 km/hr North wind assisted with our decision to have lunch down at treeline out of the wind.
We had a pleasant lunch in an open spot in the trees and enjoyed the warm sun and lack of wind. The group then retraced their steps back down past the rock garden , through the forest to the trailhead. We were back at the vehicles before 2 PM having enjoyed a short but very scenic day in K Country.
Thanks to Arnold, Dean, Bob, Nardi and John for their great conversation and company and for joining me Kevin (C/S) on an October winterish day in the mountains.