| Park at the Discovery Center in Rogers Pass and hike along the
well-defined trail to Balu Pass. From the pass, head towards Cheops
Mountain's west ridge, a noticeable
trail exists most of the way. Straightforward scrambling on steep blocky
terrain is encountered along the summit ridge. **check trail
restrictions** |
|
 |
|
|
Cheops Mountain from Balu Pass Trail. |
| Scramble: RT 9.0; 5.0 up. This objective is straightforward and pleasant, it grants superb views of tall
mountains and glaciers in close proximity. Fab and I were looking forward to visiting Connaught Creek in
the summer; we've come here countless times but only in the winter! We
met our friend
Val at the trailhead; it had been a while since we'd seen
him. We casually hiked up the trail, engaged in conversation. The
weather was better than expected; we took full advantage of that,
taking numerous pauses along the way. The familiar terrain is very
bushy
without its heavy carpet of snow but the surrounding mountains are just
as beautiful. We ate lunch at Balu Pass, then we headed
towards the blocky west ridge. The ascent is nice, we found a trail and
saw lots of cairns. The summit ridge is easy scrambling on steep and
sometimes exposed terrain. Two
huge rocks at the summit offer shade or shelter; it's a fine place for
a picnic on a hot day. |
|
 |
|
The trail is very well maintained, the sides are even trimmed!
|
|
 |
|
| One of Connaught Creek's ambassadors. |
|
|
 |
|
| Stoneworks form the path before the pass. |
|
|
 |
|
| Looking back from the pass, the "yellow brick road" is clearly visible in the meadow on the right. |
|
|
 |
|
| A sub peak of Ursus Major, which is also known as Balu Peak. |
|
|
 |
|
| Bonney Glacier across the valley, south-east of us. |
|
|
 |
|
| Leaving Balu Pass behind. |
|
|
 |
|
| Rockier terrain on the way to the summit ridge. |
|
|
 |
|
| Video Peak (left), Ursus Minor (center) and Grizzly Mountain (right). |
|
|
 |
|
| Easy trekking on the broad ridge. |
|
|  |
|
| The summit ridge and Mount Sir Donald just behind. |
|
|  |
|
| Mount Rogers (Rogers, Grant, Fleming, Swiss and Truda Peaks) and Hermit Mountain on the right. |
|
|  |
|
| The Asulkan Valley and Mount Dawson in the background. |
|
|  |
|
| Blocky terrain on the west ridge. |
|
|  |
|
| Fab notices a rap anchor accessing the north face. |
|
|  |
|
| The summit is just ahead. |
|
|  |
|
| Last steps to the top. |
|
|  |
|
| Fab and Val at the summit cairn. |
|
|  |
|
| Assise comme une madame! |
|
|  |
|
| Aug 23, 1930; really? |
|
|  |
|
| Illecillewaet, Asulkan and Bonney Glaciers. |
|
|  |
|
| Great spot for a picnic with sun or shade. |
|
|  |
|
| Leaving the top. |
|
|  |
|
| Typical terrain. |
|
|  |
|
| At treeline already. |
|
|  |
|
| Nearing the pass. |
|
|  |
|
|
Back on the trail. |
| Back to home page |
|
|