| Ref: Andrew Nugara's More scrambles in the Canadian Rockies 2nd edition. |
|
 |
|
|
The suspension bridge at the start of the Big Elbow Trail. |
| Scramble:
RT 10.25; 5.5 up. When Andrea contacted me about trail conditions on
the Big Elbow Trail, I told her I hadn't been there post-flood and that
I was also interested in knowing how far you could bike before
having to ford the river as we wanted to attempt Threepoint Mountain.
She then sent me a link of a bike website and informed me
she planned to go there as well, hence we hooked up for this fabulous
trip. The bike ride was cruisy for the exception of a couple of
sections where the trail is washed out. Near Threepoint, a
whole section is now gone; we decided to leave the bikes and continue to the base of the mountain
on
foot. We crossed the shallow river and
travelled alongside it; then, we ascended light timbered slopes to get
to treeline. There was fresh snow but that didn't hinder progress. The
conditions were good for traversing the north bowl to the first peak,
an overnight freeze likely tightened the snowpack. At the
first peak, a nice ridge walk towards the true
summit is revealed. Andrea set a blazing pace up the final stretch, I
watched the distance grow between us. We had an enjoyable stay at the
top
before returning the way we came. We did consider the alternate
route described by Nugara but after reading his description and warning
about having crampons and rope if snow covered, we decided to forgo
that option. Andrea noticed several fossils on the summit ridge, they
looked very worm like; she knew their name, Crinoids (Sea Lilies)! Once
at the bikes, I felt like another good
break to stretch my back before the ride out; we told Andrea she didn't
have to wait and could carry on if she wanted to. We said our goodbyes
and she went on her way. After a good stretch and some food, I saddled
up. The ride out was fun despite our sore bum; I repeatedly yelled:
"pedal, pedal, coast!!!" We got home at 10 PM, the doggies were
thrilled to see us and get their kibbles. |
|
 |
| The trail is washed out in places. |
|
 |
| At a major wash out near the objective, we decide to continue on foot. |
|
 |
|
| Fording the Elbow River. |
|
|
 |
|
| Crossing it again as we plod towards Threepoint Mountain's ascent slopes. |
|
|
 |
|
| Good travelling to the ascent slopes. |
|
|
 |
|
| Straightforward. |
|
|
 |
|
| Circumventing the buttress climber's left. |
|
|
 |
|
| Good snow conditions. |
|
|  |
|
| Following the ridge to the first peak. |
|
|
 |
|
| Taking a quick break at the sub peak. |
|
|
 |
|
| The remainder of the summit ridge to the second and third peaks. |
|
|  |
|
| Casual hiking to the second peak. |
|
|  |
|
| Pleasant ridge walk. |
|
|  |
|
| Final jaunt to the summit of Threepoint Mountain. |
|
|  |
|
| A short scramble precedes the top. |
|
|  |
|
| At the top, looking north-east towards the Prairies. |
|
|  |
|
| Bluerock Mountain (left) and Mount Burns on the right. |
|
|  |
|
| Leaving the top. |
|
|  |
|
| Andrea is scrutinizing fossils, Sea Lilies to be exact! |
|
|  |
|
| Going back up the first peak. |
|
|  |
|
| Traversing the north bowl. |
|
|  |
|
| Heel-plunging, the snow is still fairly firm. |
|
|  |
|
| Descent to treeline. |
|
|  |
|
| Travelling alongside the river. |
|
|  |
|
| Pedal, pedal, coast! |
| Back to home page |
|
|