| We followed the directions to Lake Enid, past
Wilmer; ref: Aaron Cameron and Matt Gunn's Hikes around Invermere
& the Columbia River Valley.
Staying on the main logging road, Bruce Creek FSR, brings you around
the west aspect of Mount Bruce. It also gains a fair bit of elevation,
granting an easier access than the Toby Creek side (1400 m. of height
gain). Bruce Creek FSR has yellow kilometer markers; about 700 m. past
the 10 marker, another road veers left, go straight (the 11 marker
indicates the right way). Just past the 18 marker a road dips down to
the right, stay on the main, it switchbacks and starts to climb at that
point; (this part is not indicated on the topo. map. A Google Earth
printout with grid references is useful). At the 24 marker, a
couple of
landings offer a good starting point, 528973. Head up the open cutblock
and aim for the west ridge. Near 533969, the angle eases and the ridge
is easily followed to treeline. A pleasant walk on the barren broad
summit ridge leads to the top. |
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Mount Bruce's 20 km
access to its west side from Mount Forster. |
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Access with our
super duper sled. |
| Snowshoe trip: RT 8.0; 5.0 up
(3.5 snowshoe). This small mountain kicked us! I thought we'd be back
home in time for "Family Guy", but it turns out this one would have to
be earned... The present snowpack conditions in the area are not
conducive to great snowshoeing. The weak slab, when present, is not
sufficiently strong to bridge the weight of a person (even with
snowshoes). The sugary crystals give way to ground; trail breaking is
very difficult. We debated taking the shoes off when ascending the
steep lower slopes but opted to keep them to make use of the crampons.
Going ahead in the trees was easier than the open cutblock with less
snow to plow through. The ridge ascending to treeline is quite nice
once the grade eases. It is the section that nearly killed us though;
the snow was deeper, breaking trail was tough and the wind blown summit
ridge was always still further, further... Man, we were glad to reach
firm ground and take the snowshoes off. The plod to the summit was
enjoyable although the wind picked up and the view diminished. Our
stay at the top was short. Now we must return to the truck and hope
that it starts! |
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Looking towards
Invermere on our way in. |
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Leaving the sled, we
quickly climbed to the trees where the snow was shallower. |
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A bit of deadfall. |
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The initial rib is
steep, we grabbed trees and alder to assist progress. |
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It got better,
really! |
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Fab the "navigator"
confirms we are not lost. |
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This trail breaking
sucks! |
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The upper ridge
would be enjoyable with firmer snow. |
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Finally, solid
ground. We left our snowshoes. |
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Our objective ahead. |
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Getting closer, it
is very windy and the clouds move in. |
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Panorama Ski Resort
down below. |
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Tea might have been
more appropriate. |
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The summit ridge
from the top. |
| Back to home page |
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