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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 3:44 PM
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This was my first trip into Deeks Lake area and North Terminus of HSCT:
Leaving my car at wide parking area just south of Porteau Cove I had no specific objective in mind; I thought I'd explore a bit & decide what to do once I get to Deeks Lake. I was pleasantly surprised with Deeks Trail -- only the last part, about 1km before the Lake, is steep and rough; rest is rather easy and scenic going. Even the logging road kept me occupied with mapping of all forks (Kalahne Creek, Deeks Bluffs, etc). The lake is much prettier than expected, with some snow-patches still lying around. Assorted couple of photos (some taken on return from Windsor):
   
Having lunch I considered continuing around the west shore and up towards Brunswick Lake, but was curious to at least identify start of Windsor / Deeks trail. Reached easily the slide at east end of lake in some 10 minutes; seeing how well defined the trail is, I felt classic peakbagging adrenaline rush and plan was made for me. Made good progress with first snow patches at 1200 m and permanent snow around 1300 m. This actually made going much easier. Someone old tracks in the snow, could have been with a dog -- Mark T and Frank perhaps? After about 45 minutes I passed Peak 5400 fork and few minutes after reached the col:
 
The snow was super compact & no snowshoes were necessary (didn't carry them anyways). From the col had to cut steps in some fairly steep snow slope -- it made me a bit nervous initially, but after seeing I can't really go anywhere even if I slip & can't arrest I continued. After traversing the bowl I hiked up to the low col and turned left up final ridge:
From here I circled a bit to the right before going more direct on last part before the summit. Last few meters I was able to exit right on the rock and reached easily the cairn at about 1680m of altitude. Sky turned overcast, but I still enjoyed 30 min break trying to identify Sea of Peaks all around me. Few photos (please correct if I didn't ID something right):
    
1. Trio Fantasticus to the south: Hannover left, Brunswick right. Lions poking behind
2. Howe Sound
3. Cathedral and Burwell. Now might be the time?
4. Zoom on Mamquam
5. Tantalus, Serratus, Alpha
Going down was the best part! What took 1/2 hour from the col going up was only 10 minutes going down. I was able to buttslide big parts of it, and even if my pants didn't dry up before Deeks Lake it was worth it. I can see now why this is such a popular winter objective; but standard safety precautions -- self arrest / ice axe and being comfortable on steep snow -- still should apply. Finally trip stats:
Close to 1700 vertical and 19-20km. 5 hr up and 4 hr down (can be done faster). Number of other objectives in the area (5400, Deeks, Coburg) -- area well-worth visiting. |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 5:24 PM
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Cool map, trip, and timing...thanks for posting. We hope to do Deeks and Windsor soon. Easy enough for the average dog? I know Frank makes it up there, but he's not an average dog. : )
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 5:40 PM
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Healthy elevation gain to be sure. I enjoyed the aspects of familiar peaks you presented in your photos. I have never been up Mt Windsor so it was all new to me!
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 5:46 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by John and Katie
Cool map, trip, and timing...thanks for posting. We hope to do Deeks and Windsor soon. Easy enough for the average dog? I know Frank makes it up there, but he's not an average dog. : )
Katie is not an average dog either! Looking at all places two of you have been to... I think she might be ok; only problematic is 1st slope right above the col which was the steepest. Don't know if she'll be able to do it in snow, and it might be awkward for you to cut steps and carry her. Mark T can probably give much better take on this. |
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 Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13466 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 6:04 PM
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Excellent shots, remember doing Windsor some years ago, also on snow.
Interested in hitting Deeks as well, looks very doable from the Windsor - Deeks Col.
K |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2041 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 6:59 PM
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Was a gate blocking the ability to drive up the road?
Windsor is great! |
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 9:52 PM
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| Reminds me about the great view from HSCT. I did it from the south and watched sunset on Mt Unnecessary in July 2010. If the Rockies' weather keeps getting worse I gonna drive back to Vancouver in July or August to bag peaks for about 1 month. No kidding.... |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 10:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by burnabyhiker
Was a gate blocking the ability to drive up the road?
Windsor is great!
Chris -- I drive 15 yr old 2WD, so logging road was not really the option. The gate was closed; I walked around & didn't check if it can be opened or not. Further up the road I did see the sign "Gate can be locked at any time"
I was a bit nervous about possible break-in, considering the bad reputation this parking lot has; I was glad it was intact when I was back. |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2041 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 5:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by zeljkok
quote:
Originally posted by burnabyhiker
Was a gate blocking the ability to drive up the road?
Windsor is great!
Chris -- I drive 15 yr old 2WD, so logging road was not really the option. The gate was closed; I walked around & didn't check if it can be opened or not. Further up the road I did see the sign "Gate can be locked at any time"
I was a bit nervous about possible break-in, considering the bad reputation this parking lot has; I was glad it was intact when I was back.
Thanks for the info.
And glad your car was untouched. |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1005 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 5:05 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by zeljkok
quote:
Originally posted by John and Katie
Cool map, trip, and timing...thanks for posting. We hope to do Deeks and Windsor soon. Easy enough for the average dog? I know Frank makes it up there, but he's not an average dog. : )
Katie is not an average dog either! Looking at all places two of you have been to... I think she might be ok; only problematic is 1st slope right above the col which was the steepest. Don't know if she'll be able to do it in snow, and it might be awkward for you to cut steps and carry her. Mark T can probably give much better take on this.
She says "thanks". : ) Steep snow slopes won't be a problem for her, it's just steep scrambly parts and fast moving creek crossings. I thought I read somewhere that dogs are better off taking the Kallahne route because there are some steep scrambly sections just beyond Deeks Lake. Anyway, we will give it a try. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13057 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 7:05 PM
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| Nice to see a Windsor report, well done! Too bad they wouldn't just leave that gate open |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 11:39 PM
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quote:
I thought I read somewhere that dogs are better off taking the Kallahne route because there are some steep scrambly sections just beyond Deeks Lake
It is wide well defined trail all the way from Deeks Lake to Deeks/Windsor col (think Harvey) -- I can guarantee no problems. Looking forward to TR and pictures! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
606 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2012 : 11:45 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by StevenSong
Reminds me about the great view from HSCT. I did it from the south and watched sunset on Mt Unnecessary in July 2010. If the Rockies' weather keeps getting worse I gonna drive back to Vancouver in July or August to bag peaks for about 1 month. No kidding....
It is not exactly great here either; June is on track to be coldest and most wet in history. It is pouring right now.
I read the other day Weather Canada prediction how this summer is expected to be drier and warmer than average -- so things should improve. I hiked for years in Rockies and sunny August day on trail somewhere in Banff or Jasper is one of best things there is. So don't rush just yet with coast peakbagging plans |
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Great buttsliding on Mt. Windsor
