The rebuilt (in 2017) Guinn’s Pass trail allows you to visit the pass, the peak east of the pass, and Galatea Lakes in one manageable day. Between the amazing views, perfect weather, and fine company, I think that it turned out to be one of my favourite trips this hiking season.
Highway 1 was so shrouded in heavy fog in the morning that a couple of us remarked that we were worried about missing the highway 40 off-ramp. But the fog wasn’t a problem after that point, and there was no smoke haze, either. Despite the group making good-natured jokes about our fast hiking speed (like “I thought that there was a strong wind but it was just due to how fast I was walking”, and “We”ve been moving so fast that the soles of my boots have melted”), we fell into a steady, comfortable pace and quickly reached Lillian Lake. Rather than stop at the relatively tame surroundings at the lake, though, we continued into the high country and had our first break in the rock fields.
We arrived at Guinn’s Pass 30 minutes after leaving the junction, and then climbed the extra peak for a leisurely lunch with full sun and remarkably little wind. Eventually we wandered back down to the pass and just spent time looking at the landscape in awe.
Our next stops were both Galatea Lakes, where one participant remarked “this trip is full of one reward after another”. We then took the south trail down through large rock slopes (with one more break!) back to Lillian Lake, and then headed back to the cars.
Surprisingly, we saw 6 different species of flower in fresh bloom - yes, in October.
The day was about 22.4km distance and 1350m elevation in just over 8 hours.
Participants: Arnold,Evan,Cristina,John,Ingrid.
Climbing to Guinn’s Pass
View of our objective (note the recent grizzly diggings in foreground)
Guinn’s Pass
Ascending “Guinn’s Peak”
One of the best lunch spots of the whole year
Summit shot (photo by Cristina)
Galatea Lakes, with our peak above the leftmost person
Admiring Upper Galatea Lake (photo by Cristina)