Mount Jackson



August 19, 2011

 
Mountain height:    3064 m
Elevation gain:       approximately 1800 m
Roundtrip time:      14:20

 
Scrambling with Raff.
 
A day after bailing on a Mount Jackson attempt, because of less than ideal weather, Raff and I set out to try again.  This would be my third time hiking to Gunsight Lake (Raff`s second) and the first 8 km were still tiresome and less than inspiring. Just before the lake we encountered the aftermath of an incredible display of nature`s power. A tremendous avalanche had ripped down the south side of Mount Fusillade, shredding trees like paper on its way down. The devastation was thorough and awesome. Thankfully, a temporary trail had already been forged through the debris. Climbing over it would have been a nightmare.
 
Gunsight Lake was as awesome as the avalanche debris. With the wonderful hues of Mounts Jackson, Gunsight, and Fusillade reflected in its clear waters, this has become one of my favourite scenes in the Rockies – period!
 
After an immensely satisfying break at the lake we hiked a short distance to find the bridge over the lake outlet had been washed out – bummer! Not about to repeat the comedic (as well as brutally strenuous and time-consuming) high wire crossing that Mark and I performed on our June, 2010 attempt of Mount Logan, Raff and I simply took off our shoes and forded the shallow waters – much easier!
 
A short section of the Jackson Glacier Trail was hiked, at which point we left it and embarked on a very foreshortened slog up to the northeast ridge of the objective. Though long, the views and scenery were already causing my camera to drool – and that was yet a tidbit of what was to come. Once on the ridge, we followed it towards the summit, following cairns now and then and leaving the ridge occasionally to avoid steeper sections.
 
Gaining elevation, a small but impressive glacier tumbling down the north side of Jackson was cause for more gasps of amazement and photo opportunities (i.e. convenient excuses to catch our breath). Raff expertly guided us up the peak, taking the line of least resistance. Each step yielded more stunning views of the surrounding area. Slowly the entire park was being revealed to us.
 

The last pleasant scenic surprises upon arriving at the summit (besides the amazing view of everything!) were the splendid view of Harrison Glacier drooped over Walton Mountain and Lakes MacDonald and Ellen Wilson to the west.
We spent a good hour marveling at the far-reaching vistas around us before starting the long descent.
 
Back near the start of the summit ridge we ran into Bill and François, American and Swiss mountaineers who had ascended Jackson via a different route than Raff and me. They explained their route up, claiming that it would make a very fast descent route. Raff and I thanked them and started down again trying as best we could to follow their route. Given the complexity of the terrain this was next to impossible. Luckily for us, Bill and François had rushed to the summit and were already making their way down. Not only that, but they were unbelievably fast and caught up to us in no time, offering to lead the way down. François was especially adept and flew down the rubbly scree with eerie speed and precision. He would stop now and then and wait for the rest of us to catch up. 
 
We made great time down the other side of the northeast ridge, heading right for the Gunsight Pass Trail. Another wonderful high elevation goat trail led us back to the east side of Gunsight Lake and the easy but chilly outlet crossing. After thanking Bill and François again we finished the magnificent day with a far less than magnificent, mind- and foot-numbing, 10 km hike back to the vehicle. The 200 m elevation gain at the end was particularly grueling this time, as we wanted to drive back to Canada that evening and were in danger of not making the 11 pm closure of the border at Peigan. We made the crossing!
 
A totally outstanding day and a “must-do” trip for scramblers south and north of the border.               


Mount Jackson, looking fairly dry


Raff checks out the objective


The last part of the avalanche debris; this part was very easy to negotiate compared to the first part


Mount Jackson (left) and Gunsight Mountain (right)


Gunsight Mountain reflected in Gunsight Lake


Gunsight and Fusillade


More beautiful scenery at the back of the lake


Raff fords the outlet


An outlier of Blackfoot Mountain


Raff heading towards the northeast ridge


Same as above


Steeper terrain near the ridge


Raff and Mount Logan (far left)


Mount Logan


Raff on the northeast ridge


Some of the interesting rock colours and contours of Gunsight Mountain


Disappearing glaciers; this one looks to be on life support!


The terrific view of Gunsight Mountain was a constant companion throughout


Raff and Jackson (left) and Gunsight (right)


The Jackson and Blackfoot glaciers, with Mount Logan and Blackfoot Mountain


Crevasses, but very different from the ones we are used to seeing up north


Same as above


Raff heads up the northeast ridge


More crevasses and cool snow features


The glacier on the northeast side, with Gunsight Mountain and Lake providing an excellent background


Raff at the summit


The summit view to the north; the distant, but big peak at the right is Mount Stimson


The team enjoy the ritual summer, summit soda pop (yet again, Tangerine Fanta gets the nod)
 

Raff takes in the magnificent view


Over at a subsidiary summit, with Raff at the far left standing at the true summit


The splendid view from the subsidiary summit; Ellen Wilson Lake at the lower left and Lake MacDonald in the upper left
 

Raff takes in more far-reaching views



Another view of the lakes and dying glaciers


Raff and views to the northwest; notable peaks include, Cleveland, Merrit, Gould, Canon, Clements, Bearhat, and Reynolds
 


Walton Mountain and the Harrison Glacier


A closer look at the glacier


Mount Stimson


Another view to the northwest with the aforementioned peaks


Raff photographs and terrific view towards Logan
 

Same as above


Same as above; note the avalanche debris at the bottom


A last look at the surroundings before heading down


Francois (left), Bill and the descent route - straight down towards the lake


Another partial pano


The one time I was ahead of Francois


Raff looks down the complicated descent route


Looking back up the mountain, fortunately we did not have to descend the snow


Boot-skiing down the lower snow slopes


Same as above


Another look back up; our route went in between the snow patches


The trail high above Gunsight Lake
 
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