Via Welsh Lakes.
Ref: Aaron Cameron and Matt Gunn's Hikes
around
Invermere & the Columbia River Valley.
Just
before reaching the first, lower lake, a cairn indicates a faint trail
that shortcuts to Aberystwyth Lake, the fourth of the Welsh
Lakes. We aimed for the north-east end of the lake and continued
towards the Glamorgan/Harlech Col. The summit is easily reached.
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We reach the trailhead as the sun rises.
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Scramble: RT
9.25 (including Merioneth Peak); 3.75 up. Welsh Lakes area
is one
of Radium's gems; we love this place and keep coming back. The aqua
blue lakes, of different hues, are stunning especially when viewed from
above. When the larches turn yellow, the scenery is magnificent. The
surrounding mountains are beautiful and most can be scrambled. One
drawback worth mentioning is the long access
on a gravel road, the last 1.6 kilometers requires a high clearance
vehicle. Our
intention was to try to reach the summit of both Harlech and Merioneth;
pictures from other trips and Google Earth suggested it would be
straightforward. We also had our eyes on Glamorgan Peak, we
hoped we would see an inviting way up. Shortcutting to Aberystwyth Lake
was simple, we came across
a faint trail and some flagging. We hiked along a pond, just north of
the lake and left the beautiful larches behind; or did we... A
single tall specimen stood in its glory, indicating our ascent gully to
the col. From there, most of the height was gained with the summit of
Harlech close by. We continued to the top, looking back at Glamorgan
often; that mountain appears difficult to ascend... For
the first day of the fall season, the temperature was warm and there
was no wind; we stayed at the top to grab some food and discuss other
possible ascents. After a good break, we carried on towards Merioneth
Peak.
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| The trail begins on an old road. |
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Pretty ponds along the way.
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| Larches are more numerous as we near the headwall. |
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| Before the lower lake, we took a shortcut that heads straight to Aberystwyth Lake. |
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| A faint trail and some flagging indicate the way. |
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| At this time of the year, beautiful yellow larches make this outing spectacular. |
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| Skirting a small pond just north of Aberystwyth Lake. |
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| Tall larches mirror in the pond. |
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| Glamorgan/Harlech Col. |
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| Looking back. |
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| Aiming for the lone tall larch you can see at ridgeline (right). |
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| Going up a gully just below the vibrant yellow lone larch. |
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| Three of the Welsh Lakes are visible; the upper lake is hidden behind the moraine, top right. |
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| Easy ascent to the top of Harlech Peak. |
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| Glamorgan
Peak is the dark spiny summit in the foreground. Carmarthen and North
Star Peaks (left and center) and Gwendoline Mountain far right.
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| At the top with Mount Ethelbert to the north. |
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| Nice ridge walk to Merioneth Peak. |
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| Continue
on to Merioneth Peak |
| Back
to home page |
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