This trip turned out much better than I expected.
When announced only 2 days previous, the forecast was for cool (<+10c) weather with mixed sun and cloud dominated by smoke (from USA fires) and some wind. While the lunch temperature was only +10c and there were scattered drops of rain through the day, it was mostly sunny with little wind. Most importantly, the smoke was mostly gone.
Leaving at 9.00am. the keen group made short work of the trail from the Sunshine parking lot, where there are now 3 porta-toilets, to the Simpson Pass Junction. We passed several other hikers including Gerry, an ex-Rambler from 1990's. At Simpson Pass, the maps came out to ensure that we took the correct trail leading to Eohippus Lake. Your scribe David is much more familiar with this area in winter, when there is no need to stick to trails (in fact they can be hard to find). But during the short summer season, sticking to the trail is essential to prevent erosion. More on the ground signage showing the actual restricted area boundary (ie Alberta/BC boundary would be helpful).
Park Sign on Eohippus Trail
Lunch near Eohippus Lake
Near Eohippus Lake
Monarch Mountain from Eohippus Lake Trail
View to south east from Eohippus Trail
Here we decided to loop north to the more popular Healy Pass trail near a bridge just out of the trees. This trail is not obvious in winter. The walk back down to the cars by 5.00pm seemed to go for ever and was well used. The larches were prime, the group was great, the weather fine. What more can you ask for?
Trail (in purple) to Eohippus Lake via Healy Creek and Simpson Pass
Stats: 25km, 750m elevation gain, 8 hours from my back-country navigator software. (max speed 8.9 kph, which I don't believe possible!)
Participants: Sim,David,Yolande,Alda,Jane,Audrey,John,Jo.