It was a blue sky day in the Highwood and temperatures were not too hot for the most part. We stayed on the right bank of Lineham Creek on the way up and the mudslide area was quite dried out so it was navigated with no problems. In the forested section there was a bear calling card right in the middle of the trail and somewhat later the back end of a brown animal was spotted through the trees; hmmm... why did I forget the bear spray in the car? Fortunately it appeared to be a deer which we saw no more of, and the others did have their bear spray with them. Further up there was enjoyable balance testing on a narrow stretch:

Rocky spine of Lineham Ridge

this gave way to the grassy slopes nearer our high point:


Grassy slopes ahead...

It was somewhat breezy and cool which led to donning an extra layer and we sought out a bit of shelter for lunch:


Heading for a lee-slope lunch spot out of the wind

On a northeast aspect it was quite lush, probably because it would have retained the snow longer. There were lots of flowers, the buzz of bees and flies, and the fluttering of butterflies:


Purple fleabane with Phoebus parnassian butterfly (Parnassius smintheus) + black-tipped groundsel with bee

blue beardtongue (Penstemon albertinus)

Silky scorpionweed (Phacelia sericea), with bee on right flower

Views of the area were fabulous, although on the far southern horizon we could see smoky air from the fires in BC. After a leisurely lunch and time spent on flower and butterfly identification, we started our descent:


The nice ridgewalk down

Evan and Ron starting down

Teresa and Evan on a rocky section of Lineham Ridge

It warmed up as we lost elevation and when we got back to the creek there was time for a break to cool our hot feet:


Teresa cools her feet in icy cold Lineham Creek

We bypassed the mudslide by crossing the creek and following a trail down the left bank before crossing back lower down- something not easily possible earlier in the season when the water can be high. We were back at the cars about 4:30. On the drive back there was a sheep delay at Eyrie Gap as a flock of ewes and lambs briefly occupied the road, they looked rather sleek without their thick winter fur.

Thanks to Teresa (photos; last midweek day of freedom before school starts) and Evan (photos) for joining me, Ron C/S/P, for a very enjoyable day.

Close-up of Phoebus parnassian butterfly (Parnassius smintheus)

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