Our group of twelve Ramblers enjoyed a great day in the Highwood Pass area. We left the trail head to Arethusa Cirque under high clouds, but with little wind. The trail up to the meadows was well packed down. Above the meadows we followed a broken trail through the snow to about fifty vertical metres from the bench in Arethusa Cirque. Different members took turns breaking trail though calf deep snow to the bench.

Crossing the bench in Arethusa Cirque

Once on the bench the snow pack decreased to boot level. In recognition of Remembrance Day, the group took time to have a minute of silence to remember those lost in previous wars.

Skies starting to clear at the start of the traverse over to Ptarmigan Cirque

Highwood Ridge from the base of Little Arethusa

As we began the traverse from Arethusa Cirque to Ptarmigan Cirque, the skies began to clear, and we were treated to blues skies for the rest of the trip. We stopped for a sunny pleasant lunch halfway along the traverse.


Looking Northwest from our lunch spot

Enjoying a pleasant lunch in the sun

The snow pack level was boot high for the majority of the traverse, with occasional short sections where the snow had drifted deeper.

There was a very light wind for the entire trip except for a fifteen minute period when we entered Ptarmigan Cirque.

Entering Ptarmigan Cirque

Traversing to the cairn at the East end of Ptarmigan Cirque

There was very little snow in Ptarmigan Cirque as compared to the upper section of Arethusa Cirque, which made for very easy travel.

The group stopped for another long break at the cairn in Ptarmigan Cirque and enjoyed the views and warm almost windless conditions.

Sunny windless conditions at the cairn in Ptarmigan Cirque

Looking West from the cairn

We then followed a well broken trail out of the cirque and into the trees, to the well trodden trail leading back down to the highway.

Leaving Ptarmigan Cirque

A short walk back to Highwood Pass parking lot and a very short shuttle had us all back at our vehicles by 2:30 pm. It was a day of great company and great weather.

My thanks to Rosanne,Philip,Dean,Phyllis,Shirley,Inge,Nardi,Chip,Gordon,Jenny and Elaine for joining me Kevin (C/S) on this mid November outing in the mountains.

Total elevation gain 475 metres

Total distance 9 km

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