Ref: Recreation
Sites and Trails BC
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Eastern trailhead.
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Snowshoe trip: RT 7.0; 4.0 up. I came up with the
idea of exploring this lowly plateau-like mountain when I read about the Embleton
Mountain Trail Network.
I figured the trails might be packed down by snowshoers,
granting an advantage for a summit bid. It took me two outings to reach
the mountain's highpoint. On the first day, I hiked to Embleton
Lookout on a good trail; this short trek was a detour but it was worth
a visit. From there, I locate and packed a trail on the service roads
leading to my planned ascent route. I continued a fair distance towards
the objective but as it got late, I opted to turn around and leave the
remainder of
the hike for the following day. On descent, I decided to blaze a
direct route through the forest to join the trail lower down. The next
day
was even colder at -28˚c but the sun was shining. I set off early and
easily followed the trail to my uptrack. I think there was an inversion
higher up as
it felt quite warm, I didn't even need my mitts. In 2.5 hours, I
reached the end of my packed trail; I had plenty of time for the
remainder of the trek. I enjoyed the open terrain on this beautiful
windless day. In little time I gained the broad summit and soaked in
the view, that's when I noticed
a higher point north of me. Shoot, how did I miss that when I planned
my trip... With no hesitation, I set off to tag the true summit. After
losing a bit of elevation, I aimed for the south-east ridge
and an unpleasant bushwhack ensued. It took me an additional hour to
stand on the treed summit that offered absolutely no view, just an odd
fence line. It was anticlimactic yet I was satisfied that I had
put in time and effort to visit the true summit because that's what a
peak-bagger does! Without lingering, I backtracked to the false summit
and stopped to enjoy a well-deserved lunch in the
sun. My descent was uneventful other than having the RCMP call me to
ask me if I was in trouble. Someone had reported that my vehicle hadn't
moved for two days; it's nice to see that there's still caring people
out there.
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Hiking on the unplowed access road to the upper parking lot and trail network.
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The trail handrails a fence line.
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On my way to Embleton Lookout.
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Nice viewpoint.
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It's really cold the next morning.
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Following the shortcut I packed down in the forest.
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Travel is easy on my beaten path.
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Pleasant ascent in open terrain.
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Very little deadfall.
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The climb is gentle and in the sun.
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Nearing the false summit.
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Looking back towards Kamloops.
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False summit ahead.
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To the north, the true summit is revealed.
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Looking south-east towards Mount Martin.
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On my way to the true summit.
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The south-east ridge is chock-full of trees.
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Luckily, near the top the trees are more spaced.
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A crude fence line on the viewless summit.
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The false summit is way more enjoyable than this flat highpoint.
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Going back to the false summit to have lunch.
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To the east, Tod Mountain is the highest of the three peaks that make up Sun Peaks Ski Resort.
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Heading back down.
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Mount Lolo south-west of me is easily accessed any time of the year.
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My route.
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