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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
LOGAN LAKE, B.C.
Canada
8579 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2006 : 7:14 PM
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Had wanted to do this hike after my return from my 5-states vacation drive, and so this Saturday hiked up there with two great hiking buddies Johnhz and Nortonchum (Nikolai),and Trek. The weather was perfect for this, and so at 7:30 a.m. met with John and Nikolai at the Vedder River Crossing. We hit the trailhead shortly before 8:30 a.m. and had our lunch at 12:30 am a short distance before the knoll. We hiked up the trail to search for the route to Williams Peak, but could not figure out in time where to cut across so as to make the Peak during this day. The return back down to the vehicle took about 3-3/4 hours after we decided the peak will not be down this day.
Found this hike was a lot tougher to complete that Golden Ears, since 10 days of driving took a toll on my long-distance stamina. The steep descent was more difficult than the climb up, put a lot of strain on the knees making it make down.
There were two good water sources along the way, cloudied by wildlife drinking at these pools. Foot prints of small bear, deer, and possibly raccoon? could be observed in the soft mud beside the water.
Attached are my list of pictures of the hike. The last ones show where we were looking for the route, close by that ravine that looks like a man-made cute or highway in solid bedrock.
            
Regards, |
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Fleetwood not Surrey, bc
Canada
1056 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2006 : 7:21 PM
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Great pics Karl, had that hike on my never ending list for a while looks like i need more weekends to getr done,get some rest and try again its not the easiest for anybody!
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If you cant outrun the bear, be sure to trip the person in front of you |
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1165 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2006 : 10:55 PM
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Thanks Karl for organizing this trip. It was excellent. It was a real pleasure hiking with you guys
Matt's Gunn book says "From the knoll, descend into the basin and curve across over boulders to a point below the south ridge of the pick" Sounds simple doesn't it? We spent almost two hours trying to figure out where we can descend to the basin. First of all, the knoll itself. There are like 3-4 knolls there and even couple of sub-summits. What knoll Matt Gun means in his book is still a puzzle for us. We wasn't able to find out. Every our attempt to descent to the basin ended by a very steep down slop with the cliff at the end. At 2:30 PM we decided to call it a day and turned back. But It was a great hike though. Great workout and excellent views.
Going up to Williams Ridge
1. John and Trek
2. Our goal - Williams Peak
3. Plant
4. Trek
   
Views from Williams Ridge
   
On the ridge
1.Small pond
2. Cool shot of Williams peak
 
Williams peak
Scouting for the route to descend to the basin
         
Chilliwack Lake
Leaving Williams peak undone
On the way down
    
At the end of the trip. The first cabin
After the hike. Trek was very thirsty too
Chilliwack 8:20 PM. View of Lady and Cheam Peaks from the Earls parking lot
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Edited by - nortonchum on 08/28/2006 12:14 AM |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
4988 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 12:53 AM
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Good job, Karl et al.
I remember last year how tough a time I had coming down. Brutally steep. But nice views. |
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 | Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
776 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 06:26 AM
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| Cool trip, love that area, to descend to the basin there is a worn trail directly east of the knoll, it is really steep and u may have to go on your butt, but it only takes a couple mins to get to the boulders, then the real fun begins. There is also a trail through the trees along the ridge but it takes too long and is hard to follow. I have thrashed myself through there a couple times too though. I'd suggest going for a round 2, the route to the peak is pretty fun. Sounds like you guys had a great time anyways and thats all that matters. |
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chilliwack, BC
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 08:04 AM
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A gorgeous day, great trail, awesome scenery and amiable hiking partners, does it get any better? Thanks Karl and Nikolai. I'm dreaming about completing this hike. I visualize the trail to the peak. Does anyone who has summitted know if a dog can negotiate the trail past the knoll, across the boulders and up the chute. It appears to me he should be able to handle the section called the ramp.         |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3392 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 08:34 AM
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Cool TR and great pics you guys...
Keep 'em coming...
C'Jack...
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...hang on, I'm coming... |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4035 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 08:45 AM
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Funny, we were looking at this peak this week-end and thinkin we gotta get up there  .
Thanks for the T/R guys, looks like you all had fun |
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1165 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 11:01 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Nistoned
Cool trip, love that area, to descend to the basin there is a worn trail directly east of the knoll, it is really steep and u may have to go on your butt, but it only takes a couple mins to get to the boulders, then the real fun begins.
I'm looking at my pictures over and over again trying to find out the route to the basin. Is my guess correct on the picture below? That's the trail to the basin ? Thanks
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| cjb
Junior Member
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Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
339 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 11:22 AM
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That's it exactly. Steepish, but it quickly delivers you to the boulder field, which you cross on an ascending traverse (lower right to mid-left, assuming you are facing Williams Peak) to reach a prominent "ramp" which leads up, then across the south face, to the scramble gully dropping straight from the summit.
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Edited by - cjb on 08/28/2006 11:35 AM |
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| cjb
Junior Member
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Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
339 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 11:33 AM
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The scramble route across the boulder field and up to the peak is clearly visible here. Head up the right hand edge of the trees to the right hand "scree bowl." The ramp is visible as a grey scar at the top right hand corner. The traverse route and gully are not visible from this angle (you traverse around from the west face, seen here in profile, to the south face) but are unmistakable once you're up there.
The boulder field, IMHO, is a pain in the ass: lots of up and down, lots of unstable surfaces, and hot, if baking all day in the sun. But the view from the summit is well worth the struggle to get there. The final ascent to the summit is steep, grassy, and fairly exposed, but I didn't find it technically difficult. |
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
716 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 12:29 PM
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Nice try, guys! Now you simply HAVE to get back there and do it again! Sounds like you had a great day out anyway. That's one goodlooking peak that's still on my list to do.
Cheers, |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
889 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 6:23 PM
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An alternate method is to park directly below Williams Pk. and just bash straight up to the summit.The bush is apparently quite managable and short lived.
As to the question about dogs,it would be very easy for a dog to fall between some of the giant boulders up there and be seriously injured or killed.Also,if there is enough exposure on any mountain to kill or injure a human the same would hold to be true for dogs.I like dogs,but it's my firmly held opinion they don't belong in the mountains, period.Definitely don't take your dogs up Williams Pk. |
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| cjb
Junior Member
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Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
339 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 6:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by tedoliver
As to the question about dogs,it would be very easy for a dog to fall between some of the giant boulders up there and be seriously injured or killed.Also,if there is enough exposure on any mountain to kill or injure a human the same would hold to be true for dogs.I like dogs,but it's my firmly held opinion they don't belong in the mountains, period.Definitely don't take your dogs up Williams Pk.
I agree with Ted. An animal companion, no matter how surefooted, will not enjoy the boulder field below Williams Peak. Unless your animal is a stuffed toy animal, it's better off at home than on this particular trip. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
889 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 6:31 PM
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| RoseT.Cat being the obvious exception. |
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| Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
776 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 6:46 PM
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Here is a shot lookin back at the second knoll. You descend between the two. It is quite a bit steeper than it looks.
And here is a pic of the gigantic boulders you will encounter along with the obvious ramp you would go up on the peak.
Here is what the gully looks like going down from the peak, he is on his butt cause it is pretty steep. More fun going up the rocks to the right of the gully I think, but it is a little exposed.
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Coquitlam, British Columbia
Canada
1727 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 7:42 PM
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| Wish i had time for a nice hike...been busy working most weekends... |
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chilliwack, BC
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 7:51 PM
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| Thanks for all the advice. I agree with the no dog on this one as well as the possibility of hiking directly to the peak bushwacking. |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
4886 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 8:43 PM
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Wow,best to keep dogs off? Does this include PoohBear,Gin and Willy?
All 3 have shown extreme agility and strength with good routefinding abilities,and have never got themselves into a bind,(as far as I know)But I'll definately respect peoples opinions,and I have never been to this one |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
105 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 9:02 PM
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| Nice TR, cool pics. I am going to have to get out to chilliwack and do some hiking around there |
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| Nis
Intermediate Member
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Langley, BC
776 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2006 : 9:10 PM
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I would think dogs would be ok, they have 4 legs, they can jump, there are some loose boulders, but I am sure they could react as well as we all could.
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Take the high road |
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