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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 4:00 PM
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This is the update on Mt. Elphinstone peak trail as of this morning.
It looks like snow is all gone from the bottom..
... but actually snow starts sometime after first view point before the first pond(elev around 1000m) in small patches and gradually gets fairly frequent(easy to walk on).
 
Then snow patches get really big after the second pond like 30-100m long walk on snow. Most of flatish peak elevation area higher than 1220m is snow covered except at the south face edge. Snow is not firm enough to run but easy walk without getting stuck yet soft enough to grab with your fingers. Flagging is easily seen even in snow area. All steep parts are snow free.
I got as far as second view point(evel 1220m or so) but after this point it looked like completely snow covered and I didn't go further on last 300-400m that I needed to sashay walk.
   
Fair amount of short muddy sections between first creek crossing and first pond. Lots of contrasts between bone dry area and wet area. For the trail details refer to ;
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36137&SearchTerms=elphinstone
Other photos at the near peak;
Mt Steel on left, Panther middle, Rainy Peak on right
Politope on far right next to the tree with some distance from Rainy. Anybody ascent this Politope peak before? Short distance from Rainy river logging road.
Vancouver downtown can be seen on left, Richmond on right.
  
Cypress shake bridge- nice
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Edited by - trailrunner on 07/07/2012 4:05 PM
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
250 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2012 : 10:01 PM
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TR
dashed up there today, but in the last grunt up to the summit area, where there are heavy snow patches, I post-holed myself in about 3 ft of snow. Buggered up my knee a little bit, so turned back.
The first time I was up there was in 1979 (no trail, just a bush whack). In all those years I've never seen so much snow so late in the season. Enough already, time for this stuff to melt. |
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N.van, bc
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2012 : 4:43 PM
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WOW Great pictures and TR..Thanks!! that brings back a whole lot of great memories. This was my first ever summit (ten years old) I remeber our camp scout got us lost and we had to bring out the topo and compass a couple times to find our way back to camp. I think I ll head over soon to re-summit
cheers
Serhikealot
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
559 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 09:39 AM
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xj6response; yeah the top area after the great view point looked like in a very deep snow. I picture your quick recovery to norm. I didn't realized the snow is so deep for the season. Reminded me of someone telling me depended on region like South Pole area there is lot more snow-glacier accumulating recently. I am so appreciative of the modern trail as I wouldn't go there for a bushwhack.
serhikealot; Glad that you can use this as a reference. Come to think of it kids staying at camps near the ferry terminal can best use this trail eh? Seems very suitable for group excursion. I still think this trail is one of my most favorite. You might love the every step of the way, too.
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
250 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2012 : 11:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by serhikealot
WOW Great pictures and TR..Thanks!! that brings back a whole lot of great memories. This was my first ever summit (ten years old) I remeber our camp scout got us lost and we had to bring out the topo and compass a couple times to find our way back to camp. I think I ll head over soon to re-summit
cheers
Serhikealot
over the past few years Trailrunner and myself put up several reports about this trail on Clubtread. This is one of the best 'moderate to strenuous' trails anywhere in Howe Sound, or the sea-to-sky. It's a beautiful, non-technical steady climb from about 600' to about 4200' through numerous forest types, with good upper level view points. Eventually the summit area is accessed and it is a delight. Excellent panoramic views... like this :-)
Seeing as one must take the ferry over, the trail is mostly used by locals. Even on a beautiful Saturday you're likely to only see a few hikers or mountain bikers on the lower portion, with the rest of it to yourself. |
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Mt. Elphinstone update Sunshine Coast
