| On the west
side of highway 93/95, just north of Canal Flats, follow
Findlay Creek road. Turn left, heading south, at the
Skookumchuck FSR intersection (just past the 8 km marker on the road).
The drive on the main service road is long as it runs along and around
the south end of Mount Allen. After a switchback, 806395, the road
heads south again and drops down to valley floor. Continue
on the main until you reach an intersection, 773362. Turn left and
cross Skookumchuck Creek over the old bridge; the following section is
not indicated on the topo map. The road skirting the south side of the
creek is overgrown with alder but the road surface is good. At a
switchback, 742355, the road now heads east towards Bradford Creek. As
it climbs up the drainage, the alder subsides. Continue on the grassy
road to a subtle left branch, 725285. Drive down and across Bradford
Creek to the west flank of Mount McMillan. This road leads to a landing
near treeline, 714267. Park here. This approach requires a high
clearance vehicle. Hike further up the draw to a pond. We went
up to a saddle, 710259, and contoured (while dropping a little) the
south side of the ridge to easier terrain. The south-east slopes of
Bradford are easily ascended to the top. We came down the north ridge a
short distance, 701262, and aimed for the pond at the start of the
loop.
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Crossing
Skookumchuck Creek, use at your own risk! |
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Mount Bradford from
the access road. |
| Scramble: RT 5.0; 2.25 up. It had been a while since our last camping trip with the
dogs, they were overdue. We planned this outing from Google Earth. The
forestry road is long with several intersections. Although the main is
obvious, we were happy to have all our navigational tools, including
access to Google (in cache) on the laptop. After crossing Skook Creek
on a bridge with holes in the planks, tension built-up as the road
narrowed, engulfed by alder. We continued slowly, moving the
occasional deadfall but not having to use the handsaw. As we drove
higher up the drainage, the alder disappeared; the road is neat, not
rutted and grassy. Luckily, the road surface is good most of the way and all
the bridges are present! The dogs were ecstatic to be out of the truck.
Fab put their booties on and off we went. The hiking was pleasant along
water and snow, through scarce pine and larch. We decided on a loop,
which turned out really nice with the dogs. We had a good time at the
top, despite some wind. The dogs took a well-deserved nap while we
simply enjoyed the moment. We stopped at the pond on the way down for
another break; we were in no hurry today. After some fetching with
Rupert, we headed back to the truck. We were very stunned to see a
motorcycle at the landing. A couple from Canal Flats showed up soon
thereafter. We found out they also came here inspired by Google Earth.
They had climbed Bradford and done the same loop! What are the odds
of that? Astonishing !!! After they left, we drove down to our camping
spot. Tomorrow we will attempt to go up the official treed summit of Mount McMillan before heading back to
Golden. At camp, we relaxed with our tired dogs. This was a very good day indeed. |
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Rupert near a small
waterfall. |
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Pleasant hiking into
the draw. |
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At the pond, we
aimed for the saddle left of center. |
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The saddle ahead. |
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Looking at the pond below. |
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The view into the
next bowl. |
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Ascending the
south-east slopes. |
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Almost on the summit
ridge. |
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Coming out of the
trees. |
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The south-west
ridge. |
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View south to an
unnamed peak of the same elevation. |
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Last bit! |
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Leashes on, the
hounds take a nap. |
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After a good break,
we head down the north ridge. |
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We'll step down onto
a rib just ahead. |
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Small drop-off on
the rib. |
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Looking back at the
top. |
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A fun and easy way
back to the pond. |
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Fab and Lincoln
pose, Daisy stalks, Rupert waits for the next fetch! |
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Another break on a
big boulder. |
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Relaxing after a
great day with our furry friends. Tomorrow we'll go up McMillan before
leaving. |
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Continue
on to Mount McMillan |
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to home page |
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