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ANSCHLAGBRETT
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20.07.2014
Flowers galore on this pleasant, if pricey, hike. It's a great hike for a clear day; it's also a great hike for a cloudy (or in our case, rainy) day especially if you already have a gondola pass. Our views were minimal to non-existent, though we did briefly glimpse Cheakamus Lake, and the rain eventually soaked through my jacket. But that didn't matter as the flowers were spectacular.
We took the Whistler gondola to the Roundhouse and then, in almost zero visibility, walked down to pick up the Peak Chair up to Whistler summit. It was eery sitting in the open chair as we headed up through the mist. The trail leaves behind the Inukshuk and wanders its way down through rock and talus to the meadows on the southern flanks of the Fitzsimmons Range (aka Musical Bumps). The trail is in good condition and the route is obvious with next to no route-finding necessary. While it is well marked it is worth picking up the alpine trail map from guest services to avoid taking any of the little side trails. (Note these maps are not waterproof...!)
The flower display is probably near its peak with lots of arnica, paintbrush, valerian and others. The expanses of white, pink and yellow heather are spectacular. Glacier lilies are long gone to seed (pod). The cloudy day made for excellent flower-photography conditions.
Saw a few marmots on the descent from Whistler summit, heard (but never saw) numerous pikas and got up fairly close to a courting pair of ptarmigan, the male half into his winter colours.
Tip: if you think you'll find a reason to head up to Whistler at least twice during the summer, get the BC Resident's pass. It's valid all summer through to about Thanksgiving, and costs only a little bit more than the single day ticket. Plus you get to take up to 4 others at a 25% discount. We'll be using ours to explore the Blackcomb side for the first time!
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