From
Keremeos, drive west on Crowsnest highway for a short distance and turn
left towards Cathedral Provincial Park. Cross the red-covered bridge and
continue onto Ashnola River Road AKA Ewart Creek Road. I passed
Crater Mountain's first access road aiming for Crater Creek service
road on the south-eastern side of the mountain, 169477. This
11-kilometer road leads to the summit. If the road is snowbound higher
up, it is possible to use the eastern south ridge; I left the road
around 133491 and reached the ridge easily. A bike could be an asset.
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There are two accesses, I took the one that climbs the south-east aspect.
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Hike:
RT 9.0; 5.0 up. After putting my skis away, I turned my attention to a
warm, dry area for a long hike. I figured the south-facing slopes of
Crater Mountain would be bone-dry by now and I was right. I spent the
night in Keremeos. The following morning, I located the start of Crater
Creek service road and started hiking. It was nice to travel light on
this warm spring day. When I caught sight of the objective, it looked
further than expected; I wish I would have brought my bike. Higher up,
the road enters the forest as it climbs towards a major drainage;
that's where I encountered isothermal snow. I tried to continue
following the road but I postholed even with snowshoes so I decided to
beeline for dry ground on the nearby south ridge. The ascent on the
ridge is pleasant and straightforward; I avoided snow patches as I
aimed for the saddle at the eastern end of the summit block. From
there, it's a short distance to the top. I stayed on the summit for a
while to enjoy the view and warm weather. The mountains of Cathedral
Provincial park steel the show and numerous other peaks are also visible.
My return was long and uneventful; plod, plod, plod comes to mind.
Nonetheless, this is a good objective to kick off the hiking season!
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The start of the service road with Ashnola River Road on the left.
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The road is rough in places.
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The summit comes into view in the far distance.
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An old cabin.
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This very long hike is uneventful.
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With snow on the road, I can see that wolves travel this area.
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Leaving the road because of isothermal snow and aiming for the west-facing slopes of Crater's eastern south ridge.
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Remaining snow patches on the ridge.
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Finally getting close.
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I'm heading to the east side of the summit block.
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Avoiding very soft snow along the way.
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Last stretch on the summit block.
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I can see the summit cairn.
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View west towards Manning Park.
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Looking north-east, the town of Keremeos is nestled in this valley.
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South-western view towards Cathedral Provincial Park.
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Heading back.
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Big White is visible in the far distance.
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Snowy Mountain Protected Area. |
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Backtracking on the south ridge. |
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Negotiating a bit of deadfall before reaching the road.
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Back on the road.
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Plod, plod, plod!
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