Oct 20, 2018
This trip had a little of everything... boulder fields, steep forest, exposure, scrambling (optional), 360 degree views, etc... Its a bit of a long drive up a FSR which comes with complimentary BC Paintjob but well worth it in my opinion. HC 4x4 recommended, but a very careful, skilled driver in a normal clearance 4x4 will do.
Aside: I will add separate write-up so that I can also attach the GPS track for the road(s) up.
You start from the end of the FSR up a large boulder field with full views of Elk-Thurston-Mercer Ridge with the entire Cheam range in behind. The trail gets steeper as you gain a bunch of elevation quickly until you semi-top out on the sub-alpine ridge that leads you towards McGuire from the NE.
Beta: This steep section of the trail was frosted as it gets no sun so bring poles and micro-spikes for added safety.
You follow along a super aesthetic ridge for a little bit before you then need to drop down heading south towards McGuire. You jog left around McGuire on the eastern side (there are sparse cairns) and now you have some choices... keep traversing pretty much straight across the scree fields until you find the SE'ish rib OR you can do what I did and turn right and come at the peak directly straight up from the East which will get you into some steeper scree which then turns into some stepped rock with lots of easy fun class 3 or 4 scrambling options to get you to the peak.
Views of MacFarlane, Pierce, Slesse, Crossover, Canadian/US Border peaks, Tomyhoi, Baker, etc.. etc...
I needed to mine some of what I called "mammoth ice" from the bowl on my return to replenish my water a little as there are no sources anywhere... and I always recommend you take a GPS track with you just for some peace of mind.
Stay safe, have fun, and maybe I will see you out there.
Regards,
Rex
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