| Just
north of Fort Steele, from highway 93/95,
proceed east onto Wardner-Fort Steele road. Follow
this road for 2.2 km to Mause Creek FSR, turn left. Drive for another 2
km to
Boulder Creek FSR (Mause Creek FSR goes right), 018975. Continue
straight and drive for another 1.4 km to a junction, 022983. Keep going straight
(north-east), past an intersection, to the base of Lone's south-west
treed slopes, 025987. The lower slopes present
bluffy sections and require some route finding. The best views are
along the way, the summit is densely treed. |
|
 |
|
Lone Peak. |
| Scramble:
RT 5.5; 3.5 up. Once again we drive south, leaving home in the dark and
the worse driving conditions. I kid you not when I say "75% chance of
Star Wars condition" it's because it has happened numerous times! This
hypnotic snow squall eventually tapered and cleared by dawn. Scattered
clouds and sunny periods were a welcome sight. We planned a good trip
for our dogs; a nice loooong walk topped with some camping amongst
ponderosa pine, deer and coyotes! We had to park further down
than expected but the walk on the road was quick. Soon we started
climbing
the slope which was covered with very little snow. Fab led us through
some bluffy
sections; the hounds followed the flow nicely. Higher up the snow depth
increased. The up-track remained quite slippery as the snow
became saturated, snowballing from under our feet. We stopped a couple
of times to check the dogs and our progress. The last 150 m. of height
gain to the top were tough; not the right conditions for snowshoes and
surprisingly steepish. The
hounds kept going up, leaping. After 40 minutes from the last
break, we all stood on the treed summit by a blazed tree with flagging
tape. The rimed trees added atmosphere to this otherwise viewless
summit. We're very proud of our dogs; this is Rupert and Daisy's first
summit, what a great way to bring in 2009! |
|
 |
|
Boulder Creek road
veers left, we continue ahead. |
|
 |
|
Very little snow is
easier.
|
|
 |
|
Small bluffs and
open slopes. |
|
 |
|
|
Looking towards Fort
Steele. |
|
|
|
|
|
Rupert is always
near. |
|
|
|
|
|
More snow and rimed
trees for the very last bit. |
|
|
|
|
|
And the odd wind
gust. |
|
|
 |
|
|
A blazed tree
indicates the top. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Heading back down in
the sun. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Well deserved break,
pulling apart Daisy's snowballs. |
|
|
 |
|
|
We're very proud,
they all did well. |
|
|
 |
|
|
The sun is down as
we settle at the camp. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Another fine outing. |
| Back
to home page |
|
|