[1-Outpost Lake with Outpost Mountain behind - click to enlarge]This is a continuation of the post from last week where the hike stopped at the Wates-Gibson hut in the Eremite Valley.
Today’s hike of about 10 km goes to the Switchback campground on Old Horn Mountain before returning to civilization on the Astoria River Trail.
[2-Alpine Lupine]Be prepared for the steep trail down to the Eremite Valley.
[3]
Returning to Chrome Lake the hike is uphill on rocky footing, and a reminder to wear your protective clothing as there will be those nasty mosquitoes to deal with when going back through the wet meadows.
[4-Return to the Ramparts in Tonquin Valley]
[5-Astoria River Trail in Tonquin Valley]
[6-Tonquin Valley - click to enlarge]
The distance to Clitheroe campground is 6 km and well sheltered in the trees. There are eight tenting sites equipped with pads, bear poles with cables and a privy.
From here it is 4km to the Switchback campground and most of it is up hill.
[7-On trail up Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
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[9-Hoary marmot in rocks - click to enlarge]
These little guys give shrill whistles to every intruder that goes by.
[10-Hoary marmot - click to enlarge]
[11- Ramparts and the Amethyst Lakes in Tonquin Valley - click to enlarge]
[12-Chrome Lake in the Eremite Valley from the shoulder of Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[13-Cloud capped Ramparts from shoulder of Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[14-Wildflowers on shoulder of Old Horn Mountain overlooking Chrome Lake in the Eremite Valley - click to enlarge]
[15-Scrambling up ridge of Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[16-Wildflowers]
[17-Moss Campion - click to enlarge]
[18-Tonquin Valley from shoulder of Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[19-click to enlarge]
[20-click to enlarge]
[21-click to enlarge]
[22-Wildflowers on shoulder of Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[23-Chrome Lake from Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[24-Looking up at Old Horn Mountain - click to enlarge]
[25-Chrome Lake, Eremite Valley and unnamed tarn while going down toward the Switchback campground - click to enlarge]
[26-Unnamed tarn near Switchback campground with Thunderbolt Mountain behind - click to enlarge]
[27-Juvenile Gray Jay at Switchback campground - click to enlarge]
Source: ParksCanada
Photo Credits: [1]-Priya Biswas CC+nc-flickr, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]-brilang CC=nc-sa-flickr. [10]-kiwehowin CC=nc-sa-flickr
9 comments:
I can always escape to a better place when i visit your blog. thanks.
The contrast between rock and snow and the lovely yellow and purple blooms of the wildflowers is so lovely to me.
That Jay looks cold. But the marmot looks nice and convey in his fur coat.
The mountains are majestic - love the marmoset.
Travis, this is a good place for me to escape in too.
Charles, this is almost as good as being there.
Ackworth, mountains are my kindred spirit.
Barbara, you live in a beautiful country. I love your virtual tours.
The vistas were wonderful. I loved the marmot in the rocks picture from a distance.
The mountain views are spectacular, Barbara. Does the return to civilization mean we're at the end of this hike? I can't wait for the next one.
PS Love the marmot!!
Debra, from my frequent posts on the Rocky Mountains you can see where my favouritism lies.
Bernard, this area has always held sway over me and my spirit.
Teresa, there is one more day of hiking to do on this trail. I have been on horseback over the Astoria River Trail. Hikers use the trail up over Old Horn Mountain to reach the Amethyst Lakes, or they can use the horse trail, which tends to get very sloppy during rain.
I have been using most of the campsites along the trails to stop the post at, due to the amount of photos to upload. As noted in the photo credits there were 27. I could have cut down on the views from the ridge on Old Horn Mountain, but they were all spectacular (and I noticed today I had duplicated one).
There are several lovely views next week, and you will not be disappointed. Plus there will be a bit of historical information.
So beautiful and serene! I wish I lived close to these trails.
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