Participants: Bill, Ulrike, Annie, Neil, Pati, Zia
Once we found each other in a packed parking lot, we headed out at about 9:00 on the 4.6 km Skogan Pass Trail, which had a skiff of snow and some muddy patches.
The kilometres on this stretch went by so quickly as we got acquainted (or reacquainted) with each other that we almost missed our turn at the Living with Wildlife sign.
We had a brief conversation about continuing on the Skogan Pass trail to the less clearly marked route to the lower summit, which most of us had not hiked. This route boasts an abundance of plants and flowers in the spring, so we decided to add it to our bucket list and hike it next year after the trail reopens on June 15. (This area is closed from Dec. 1 - June 15 during lambing season.)
Shortly after the first steep section in the meadows, we came across a herd of 15-20 Big Horn Sheep led by a handsome ram up to the lower summit. They ambled up the slope, offering us a great photo op. They must have known the bow hunters had moved on to other meadows because they did not seem too concerned as we ogled them.
We turned left at the saddle between the two summits and made our way up the rocky summit to the cairn. The winds along the ridge were more refreshing than toppling.
For the entire day, the slopes to the west and east of us were in contrast to one another. To the west, the clouds were threatening and stormy, whereas to the east, the sky was blue and the cloud formations spectacular as the sun winked in and out from behind the clouds.
As we approached the summit, we saw a ram silhouetted against the sky. Further on, we saw what appeared to be a lost sheep. He (or she) paced the ridge, then finally disappeared down the east slope. Beyond the cairn, we saw hoof prints close to the edge of the cornice and wondered if the sheep could sense when the cornice was stable or unstable.
We tucked in the trees for lunch, and with icers on, made short work of the trip back to the parking lot.
To see a video of the hike, click on the link to Zia's GoPro YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_5FE8tFd4I
There is no WiFi in the mountains, but I promise you will find a better connection.