Healy Pass - Eohippus Lake - S end of Ramparts - Simpson Pass Off-Tra
We had a beautiful day with lots of flowers (particularly many thousands of paintbrush!) and only a few other people.
The intention was to not go all the way to Healy Pass because we already had a long day planned, but naturally everyone wanted to go because the meadows were so beautiful. We then backtracked to the junction and set off for Eohippus Lake and the BC end of the Monarch Ramparts. Flowers weren't as spectacular there but the birds were surprisingly vocal given that it's almost mid July... the hermit and varied thrushes were singing almost constantly.
Nasty clouds of mosquitoes pursued us once we started crossing the boggy parts, and they decided to share lunch with us on the Ramparts despite the decently strong breeze. We walked to where we figured the BC/AB boundary was (not even at a high point), and looked longingly at the forbidden ridge ahead. But the views were expansive and well worthwhile despite not being allowed to go further, and it was the first time up there for most of the group.
We retraced our route back down to the lake and made good time back to the cars. What a pleasure it was to spend the day with a great group of strong and cheerful people! 32 km/1200m in 9 hours.
Participants: Susan, Cordula, Cristina, Donna, Ingrid (coordinator), Deborah, Jenny
Gorgeous morning
Thousands of paintbrush in peak bloom
Healy Pass
You can never take too many photos of paintbrush
Climbing from Eohippus Lake
The forbidden sections of ridge are in the background
Great views of the Monarch (and Assiniboine)
Heading back
The intention was to not go all the way to Healy Pass because we already had a long day planned, but naturally everyone wanted to go because the meadows were so beautiful. We then backtracked to the junction and set off for Eohippus Lake and the BC end of the Monarch Ramparts. Flowers weren't as spectacular there but the birds were surprisingly vocal given that it's almost mid July... the hermit and varied thrushes were singing almost constantly.
Nasty clouds of mosquitoes pursued us once we started crossing the boggy parts, and they decided to share lunch with us on the Ramparts despite the decently strong breeze. We walked to where we figured the BC/AB boundary was (not even at a high point), and looked longingly at the forbidden ridge ahead. But the views were expansive and well worthwhile despite not being allowed to go further, and it was the first time up there for most of the group.
We retraced our route back down to the lake and made good time back to the cars. What a pleasure it was to spend the day with a great group of strong and cheerful people! 32 km/1200m in 9 hours.
Participants: Susan, Cordula, Cristina, Donna, Ingrid (coordinator), Deborah, Jenny
Gorgeous morning
Thousands of paintbrush in peak bloom
Healy Pass
You can never take too many photos of paintbrush
Climbing from Eohippus Lake
The forbidden sections of ridge are in the background
Great views of the Monarch (and Assiniboine)
Heading back