From
Craigellachie, locate Lybarger Road on the north side of the highway. After 500 meters, turn right on the
Craigellachie-Ansteg FSR (Gorge FSR). Stay on the main road until a pullout near the 12-kilometer marker, 750546; there's
a prominent drainage on the west side. I ascended the drainage on its
southern side slopes and made my way into the draw and onto North Queest
Mountain's south-east ridge. I followed the ridge to a false
summit, 723541; then, I dropped down to the connecting saddle and
climbed to the true summit. To return, I descended the north ridge partway and
went straight down to a small meadow on the east side, 713552. From there, I followed
the lay of the land in the draw, 719555; aiming for a large cutblock,
724556. At the cutblock, the road is visible and is a couple of kilometers
further up near the 14-kilometer marker.
It is also possible to access this peak via Queest Mountain.
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Parked near the 12-kilometer marker, the arrow indicates the drainage I ascended.
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The ascent drainage.
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Snowshoe
trip:
RT 7.25; 4.5 up. I had planned to ascend this peak on my way
out from an overnight trip up Queest Mountain but circumstances led to
a hasty retreat after
summiting. Honestly, I'm kinda glad it didn't pan out on that
weekend because it allowed me to discover The Gorge.
Research revealed that The Gorge is a
popular ski touring destination in the Shuswap. The north-east
slopes are very steep and boast deep powder snow. Furthermore, there's
more than one way to access the terrain; hence granting numerous micro
areas to visit. Being solo, I chose to go
on snowshoes. After parking, I located an old
uptrack and followed it up the drainage. There were ski tracks
everywhere which is a testament to the region's popularity. As I gained
height, the amount of new snow increased. I wanted to reach the
south-east ridge
as soon as possible so I elected to climb straight up along
trees. Visibility was poor so I glanced at my GPS once in a while. I
was relieved when the angle eased and I stepped on a bench near the
ascent ridge. Travelling very steep terrain solo with that amount of
fresh snow feels unnerving. The pleasant stretch on the ridge took me
to a false
summit where I got a
good glimpse of North Queest. I also scrutinized the north-east
drainage which I intended to descend back to the road. Shortly
thereafter, I dropped down to the
connecting saddle and climbed to the
true summit. It was very windy at the top and visibility came and went.
I found respite from the wind by a
cluster of rimmed trees and enjoyed the beauty of the sun filtering
through multi-layered clouds, I left after taking pictures. I followed
the north ridge partway then whooshed down the slopes to the small
meadow; that would have been an epic ski run! My exit from
there was quite straightforward and surprisingly hassle-free. I
reached the road about 2 kilometers up from where I parked. After a
good break, I lollygagged back to my truck feeling content. I hope to
return on skis someday, The Gorge is a gem for skiers.
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Following an uptrack on the south side of the drainage.
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Typical terrain in the draw.
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The visibility is greatly reduced higher up.
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Looking back at this amazing skiable terrain.
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There's lots of fresh snow, skiing would be fabulous.
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The upper draw is very steep.
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More steep slopes; luckily, there isn't any slab formation.
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The angle eases before reaching the south-east ridge.
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On the ridge.
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North Queest Mountain from the false summit.
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A
glimpse down the north-east bowl. These steep slopes converge
at a small meadow.
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Looking back at the false summit from the connecting saddle.
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Ascending to the true summit.
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North Queest Mountain ahead.
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At the top.
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South-eastern view over the false summit.
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View south-west towards Queest Mountain.
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Visibility is greatly reduced but the sun filtering through the clouds is quite special.
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Looking back at both summits as I leave the top.
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Caballero Peak on the opposite side of the Gorge FSR.
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Heading down the north ridge.
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Dropping into the north-east bowl.
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Descending very steep slopes to the meadow.
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The bowl from the small meadow.
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Following open terrain down the draw.
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Straightforward exit from the small meadow.
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At the large cutblock above the road.
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Back at the road near the 14-kilometer marker.
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