Tryst Lake + Ridge above to the south Trail hike on 22-Sep-2025

We had a lovely larch hike today. The extension up to the ridge south of Tryst Lake should really be added to the Rambler repertoire.
The parking lot was already full at 10:30, mainly people doing "Instagram Peak" (aka Smutwood Peak or SW Ridge of Smuts). For some reason that peak has received a massive social media following. Ramblers are following the crowd on Thursday. But today we were just heading to the lovely Tryst Lake and the ridge to the south of it.
We set out around 10:40 and marched the 1.9 km along an old forestry road to the Tryst drainage, and then headed up the well defined trail to the lake.

One of our first (of many) larches!

Upon nearing the lake we could see our ridge, lined with larches, above us.

The Tryst Lake south ridge is the sky line

There is now a well-beaten trail all the way up to that south ridge. It is no more challenging than the steepish parts of the trail up to the lake.

The now beaten trail above Tryst Lake

The larches still had quite a bit of green, but in the brilliant sunshine they were still glorious.

Approaching the top of the ridge and the best larches

Once on the ridge the views are fantastic. And we could look down the Tryst Lake Chutes, some very challenging runs for extreme back-country AT skiers.

Looking down at Tryst Lake (Mt Engadine, The Tower and Mt Galatea in bkg)

We had lunch up there and before heading down stepped a few meters north to where we could look down the Super Slopes (also AT skiing) at the Commonwealth Creek drainage.

Looking down at Commonwealth Creek (Pig's Back and Commonwealth Pk in bkg)

Back down to the lake.

Tryst Lake (and Wow! Don't I look stupid)

And the return to the cars, arriving a little after 3.
8 km, 500 m, 4.5 hrs.
Many thanks to Clifton, and Cyril for joining me, Carl (C/S)

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