Jim Kelly Peak GR:417879

elevation: 2,107 m.
height gain: 950 m. (from the road)
area: Coquihalla Summit,BC
map 92 H/11
2022-Jul-30


Ref: Steven's Peak-Bagging Journey

hiking illal creek


Hiking Illal Creek's decommissioned road.
Scramble: RT 1.5; 40 minutes up from the tarn (approach is about 3 hrs up, 2 hrs down). This weekend we decided to backpack to Illal Meadows and spend the night at the tarn situated at the foot of Jim Kelly Peak. Our main objectives were Coquihalla Mountain and Jim Kelly. We had a lazy start on the trail from the Tulameen FSR. It isn't possible to drive up Illal Creek's service road anymore; a landslide and several deep drainage ditches bar the way. We reached the tarn at 7 PM. The sun was still shining after we quickly set up camp. We figured we might as well climb Jim Kelly Peak and catch the sun setting from the summit instead of saving the objective for the next day. This was a good call; the ascent is short, and viewing mountains basking in the last sunrays is always spectacular. We climbed directly from the tarn and followed the path of least resistance to the top. There are good trail segments on the north-west ridge that we stumbled upon on our way. We reached the summit in good time and sat down to enjoy the sunset; it was magnificent. Coming down was straightforward; we didn't veer from our ascent route. Once at the tent, we had a yummy dinner while listening to Chris Stapleton. We retired to the tent early to get a good night's sleep and be ready for the next day.





undrivable road

Several obstacles render the service road undrivable.

old trailhead

After 50 minutes we reached the old trailhead.

terrain opens up

Following a steep climb in the forest, the terrain opens up.

jim kelly appears


Jim Kelly Peak comes into view.


meandering trail


The trail meanders through the meadows.


nearing the tarn


Nearing the tarn at the foot of Jim Kelly Peak.


going for a swim


Going for a swim at the tarn where we set up camp.


short climb


We started our hike at the far end of the tarn, it's only 200 meters of height gain.


talus slope


This short talus slopes precedes better terrain and straightforward scrambling.


illal peak


Looking down at the tarn with Illal Mountain in the background.


milan in hot pursuit


Milan in hot pursuit.


typical terrain


Typical terrain on the way up.


coquihalla mountain


Coquihalla Mountain steals the view west of us.


enjoying the scramble


Enjoying the scramble.


almost there


Almost there.


at the top


At the top.


stellar sunset


Other hikers are also on the mountain to catch the stellar sunset.


tulameen mountain


The southern view includes Tulameen Mountain on the left.


view north


To the north, many familiar peaks rise beyond Illal Mountain.


snass mountain


Snass Mountain and Mount Dewdney.


jim kelly's shadow


Jim Kelly Peak casts its shadow on the flat mounds to the east.


toppled mast


Lovely poem pinned on the toppled mast at the top.


enjoying the sunset


Enjoying the sunset.


last sunrays


Heading down with Coquihalla Mountain and Carry Peak, on its left.


in good spirit


In good spirit.


downclimbing


A bit of downclimbing.


more of the same


More of the same.


descending the talus slope


Descending the talus slope back to the tarn.
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