Running Rain Lake and the ridge to it's north Off-Trail hike on 20-Se

We had a fine day on what has become an annual larch season hike. Some of the larches still have a tint of green. But the weather cooperated magnificently, what a blue sky!

We set out a little after 9:30. To immediately have to deal with the crux of the trip! Crossing Storm Creek.
Some of us just splashed through, getting our boots kinda wet. Others doffed boots, and crossed in bare feet or water shoes. The second crossing was easy enough to manage on a couple of logs.

Crossing the second creek crossing

The trail to Running Rain Lake was muckier than I remember from the past two years, but we made it to the lake after a little more than an hour. And stopped there for a bit to catch our breath, get rid of some coffee, and maybe snack a bit.

At Running Rain Lake

The climb from the lake to the open meadows was an exercise in bushwhacking and route finding around numerous dead trees and other obstacles. We generally followed pretty close to the tracks from the past two years. Eventually we made it up to the meadows above the trees and below the ridge, and then had to make our way up the steep slope to the ridge.

Finally out of the bushwhack and climbing to the ridge

Many of the group had not done the trip before and were gobsmacked by the ever better views. We were all on top by 12:30.

Lunch on the ridge north of Running Rain Lake

From there we headed down and east towards the several smaller bumps along the ridge. Enjoying the larches all the way.

Larches still showing a little bit of green

Once down to the first low point, we were frequently on a bit of a trail all the way to the last high point.

The final bump (eastern) of the ridge north of Running Rain Lake

Then it was another longish stretch of bushwhacking, at least this time down-hill. I did end up somewhat west of our previous tracks. This had the advantage of descending an open ridge for a little longer, but I'm not sure that the terrain was a little more challenging getting down to the Running Rain Lake trail. Then we were back to Storm Creek and the multiple ways of crossing.

Two ways to cross Storm Creek

Back at the cars shortly after 3:30.

9 km, about 650 m ascent, a little under 6 hours.

Many thanks to participants: Susan, Bill, Yoko, Clifton, Teresa, Cristina, Dana, Kate, Inge, Jenny, and guest Isabel for joining me, Carl (C/S)

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