Ref: Alan Kane's
Scrambles
in the Canadian Rockies
Side
note: Past the 5th bridge, sections of the
trail are washed out; we crossed Galatea Creek on a fallen tree
and regained the trail on the north side. A slight dip in the trail
leads to a
flat area, a cairn indicates the trail to the ascent gully. |
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First bridge at the start of the
trail. |
Scramble:
RT 10.0; 5.0 up. Last weekend Charles briefly mentioned he went to
Lillian Lake via Galatea Creek Trail. Fab and I turned away from there
two years ago because of a trail closure, I was interested to hear
about the trail conditions. Needless to say, after speaking with him, I
wanted to go visit Kidd South. The weather forecast called for
thunderstorms in the afternoon, so we got on the way fairly early. As
we travelled, Charles pointed out the new faint trails. The first five
bridges are in place, we encountered washouts following that. We had to
cross Galatea Creek on a fallen tree to rejoin with the trail on the
north side of the creek. We carried on down the trail for a while and
started looking for the ascent trail near the appropriate
place; it's hard to miss the cairn, the good trail climbs almost
immediately. The weather was gloomy and it was drizzling lightly but we
came prepared... The trail up the ascent drainage is pleasant and easy
to follow; we reached the upper draw in good time. We talked about
whether we should climb the grassy slopes or the snow; we elected for
the grassy terrain versus the steeper snow gully, the snow was on the
soft side. Once on the ridge, visibility was greatly reduced and
drizzle turned to snow. We plodded upward without seeing the summit
block until we were right close. We followed a faint trail on the
south side of the summit ridge pulling out our alpine axe to cross
steep snow slopes. We reached the top shortly thereafter. It was
snowing, we had all our layers on. Fabrice and Charles called their dad
on the satellite phone to wish them a happy father's day; Charles made
some tea. After a surprisingly long break at the summit, we headed
down. The snow intensified to a downright blizzard; the covered
terrain was trickier to negotiate. At the grassy slopes,
the wind died down and the drizzle returned. We continued our descent
back to the car without getting too wet. Shortly after leaving the
parking lot, the rain started coming down hard; sometimes, you just get
lucky!
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After the 5th bridge, sections of
the trail are washed out. |
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Some flat terrain precedes the
ascent trail, indicated by a cairn. |
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Breaking out of the trees on a
good trail. |
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Higher up, snow or grasses. |
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We chose grasses. |
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Reaching the ascent ridge. |
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Drizzle turns to snow... little
visibility, as expected. |
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Getting closer, I think. |
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Dipping on the south side of the
summit ridge. |
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A trail is distinguishable in
some places. |
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Alpine axe out to traverse steep
snow slopes. |
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Almost there.
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At the top, 3 degrees, Charles
made some tea. |
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Looking at the approach ridge,
west of us. |
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Very short side trip. |
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Heading back. |
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The snow intensifies. |
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Conditions are getting a bit
treacherous. |
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Welcome summer! |
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Trading snow for light drizzle. |
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Following the ascent trail. |
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Back on Galatea Creek Trail. |
| Back to home page |
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