It was a long day with great views. After the hour walk up the Temple Lodge road, we stopped to discuss our approach options for Mount Richardson. Concern over snow levels around and above Hidden Lake, resulted in the group changing our approach route to the West side of Richardson Ridge. We followed the road from Temple Lodge to the base of the Paradise Lift in the valley east of Mount Whitehorn. Just beyond the lift we headed diagonally up through larch meadows, quickly gaining the base of Richardson Ridge. The meadows were covered with a vast array of Globe, Western Anemone and other flowers.
Ascending the snow free West slopes of Richardson Ridge
The group ascended the snow free western slope of Richardson Ridge approximately one third of the way from it's southern end.
On the ridge with the back bowl of Lake Louise Ski Area in the background
We proceeded along the ridge to its high point where the group stopped for a brief lunch break.
Mount Richardson from Richardson Ridge
Hidden Lake and Boulder Pass in the distance from Richardson Ridge
The route from the high point on the ridge to the col involved navigating large quartz blocks and snow slopes.
Bill and Manfred negotiating the blocks on Richardson Ridge
From the col we followed the western ridge of Mount Richardson to broad snow slopes, which led to the summit.
Looking South from the summit cairn on Mount Richardson
Ramblers on the summit of Mount Richardson
Traversing back across the wide summit ridge
It was nice to have sun on the summit as the weather had been unsettled and windy for parts of the day. We retraced our steps back down to the col on the ridge.
Mount Temple and Lake Louise in the distance
Clifton descending the snow slope below the summit of Mount Richardson
Given the large amounts of likely isothermal snow on the eastern slopes around and above Hidden Lake, it was decided to retrace our steps back up to the high point on Richardson Ridge and then along the ridge and descend the west slopes of Richardson Ridge.
Beginning the traverse from the col back to the high point on Richardson Ridge
Nardi on the ridge with Pika and Ptarmigan Peaks in the background
The route we chose, while not the normal one via Hidden Lake, was the right one for the existing conditions. We were able to avoid slogging through soft snow around Hidden Lake, but it did involve an extra 250 metres of elevation gain due to the ups and downs along the ridge. Our route was also a kilometre shorter than the Hidden Lake route. We arrived back at the vehicles at 7:45 PM, eleven hours after starting out.
Thanks to Alda, Bill, Manfred, Clifton, Terry, Arnold and Nardi for their great company and for joining me Kevin (S/C) on a long but interesting day in the mountains.
Net elevation gain 1375 metres. Total elevation gain 1600 metres, total distance 22 km, total time 11 hrs
