North Castle II
Mount Gladstone III
Mill
Creek Mountain II
Mountain heights: 2327 m, 2458 m, 2250 m
Total elevation gain: approximately
1600 m
Round-trip time: 9:10
Solo scramble.
A sort of
bizarre three summit day, where I didn’t accomplish anything I set out to do.
The goal of this
trip was to see if I could find a good scramble route up the north ridge of
Mill Creek Peak. Dave and I had ascended the peak and also Mill Creek Mountain in
challenging conditions (cold and snowy) a few years earlier. I was hoping that
with more favourable conditions, I could gain the north ridge sooner, follow it
up and over the Peak and the Mountain, and then descend easy slopes on the west
side of the Mountain – none of that happened!
Gearing up at
the trailhead, I had an awesome conversation with a super friendly hunter named
Mark. 
He knew the area well and we discussed our plans for the day. Coincidentally,
it seemed we would generally be going to the same area. Mark promised to scare
all the bears away for me and he went off, wisely choosing to bike the 2.5 km
approach. I hiked the approach, growing a little weary of all the moisture on
the foliage.
And that
moisture, from the previous night’s rain, would signify the end of my planned
route. I was nearly drenched from mid-thigh down, just hiking the well-defined
trail. Leaving the trail into the bush was like stepping into a swimming pool! 
The
lower part of the planned route would involve a fair amount of bushwhacking up
steep, potentially slippery slopes. In addition, the forecasted clear skies
were not quite clear. Pulling the plug was an easy decision.
Now what? I
decided to hike up the valley and check out an ascent route up Mill Creek
Mountain via its west face. Matt Clay, Alison Sekera, and Heath had ascended the
mountain this way.
I thought I would have dried out by the time I reached the
ascent slopes, but such was not the case. To my right, the southeast slopes of
Mount Gladstone were now bathing in sunshine, while the dreary-looking west face of Mill
remained in shade. Obviously, Gladstone looked
far more inviting and that’s the way I turned, pretty much giving up on Mill
Creek Mountain for the day.
Hiking towards
the ridge between Gladstone and North Castle in the warm Sun provided a welcome
relief from the soggy first few hours of the day. 
I reached the ridge closer to
North Castle than Gladstone, so a quick run up that peak seemed in order. I stopped
a little short of the completely treed summit because it’s completely treed! No
view – no point! And the highpoint just before the summit provides a fine view.
A pleasant traverse over to Mount Gladstone followed.
I couldn’t have
been at Gladstone’s apex for more than a minute. En route to the top, the lure
of MilI Creek Mountain had crept back into my head. There did appear to be a direct and straightforward
route up the mountain once I descended back to the creek. But first the descent.
The southeast side of Gladstone is home to some of the best scree surfing in
the Rockies. Bombing down those red argillite slopes was a blast!
I wouldn’t describe
the ascent of Mill Creek Mountain as a blast, however! While not particularly
difficult, the ascent turned out to be much longer and exhausting than
expected, perhaps due to my waning energy levels. Again, I didn’t stay long at
the summit and started down the east ridge, trying to scope out a good descent route. To my
pleasant surprise I bumped into Mark a short distance down. We discussed
potential descent routes and wished each other well. He had spotted a group of sheep
some distance away and was keeping an eye on them. In the end I decided to use
the same drainage Dave and I had descended. It generally went with ease but has
a couple of steeper sections that require circumventing. I had conveniently
forgotten about those from our previous trip! The remainder of the trip was
uneventful, though I wish I too had brought a bike for the last 2.5 km.
Not the day I
had planned but still very gratifying. Another run at the route may happen a
year from now, when it has NOT rained the night before!
Mill Creek Peak
Closer look at the north ridge. Mill Creek Mountain summit can be seen at the right, getting some Sun.
Just a drop of the moisture that left me drenched after the approach
Walking past the route I planned to take
Behind that big tree is the drainage Dave and I used for descent. I ended up coming down that way.
Hiking up the valley and enjoying the autumn colours but not the cloudy skies
Decision time: Mill Creek Mountain to the southeast...
...Gladstone to the northwest. Not hard to see why I chose Gladstone!
Mill Creek Mountain from the southeast side of Gladstone
The route up to the Gladstone/North Castle ridge is very colourful
I tried following this drainage but it was interrupted often with small, steep, steps that were very slick
Rare but super cool dark turquoise lichen
In the drainage
One of those small steps that forced me out of the drainage
Looking down it
View across the valley is improving
On the ridge. The larches are tenaciously hanging onto their yellow needles, but "resistance is futile"!
Frankie Peak and Larry Mountain
North Castle to the south
Mount Gladstone to the north
Some ups and downs on the way to North Castle
View to the northwest
Add the north
The view towards North Castle is a little dreary
But the one towards Gladstone is anything but
At the highpoint where I stopped, with the treed summit of North Castle a few hundred metres away
Terrific view from the highpoint
Getting as many shots of the larches as possible before they lose their needles
Same as above
Sun on the connecting ridge, but not on Frankie and Larry
The view now includes Prairie Bluff, Victoria Peak, Mill Creek Mountain, Windsor Mountain, and Castle Peak
Already salivating about the upcoming run down this awesome red scree
Summit of Gladstone at the right
Lichen on the north side
Threatening clouds over Windsor and Castle
Looking down the very exciting east ridge of Gladstone
Even on a cloudy day, this is a colourful view
Close-up of the connecting ridge between Mill Creek Peak and Mill Creek Mountain. Lots of larches.
The view to the northwest features the big massif, that includes Larry, Frankie, Whistable Peaks, Whistler Mountain, Table Top Peak, and Table Mountain
One more of the lichen
Heading down to the Gladstone/North Castle col
Ready to lose elevation and Fast and Furious way!
Last look at Frankie and Larry
Windsor and Castle again
The route I took up Mill Creek Mountain went straight up the middle,
but I may have had an easier time veering to the right, once some
elevation was gained
A lone larch
Looking back at Gladstone
Victoria Peak from the summit of Mill Creek Mountain
Prairie Bluff (distant centre) was literally glowing, receiving full Sunlight, while everything else was denied
Summit view to the east (would be phenomenal on a clear day)
Summit view to the west
Summit view to the north
Another one to the east, because it's so colourful
Heading down the east ridge
Looking back to the summit
As stated, there are lots of larches on the connecting ridge. I will be returning here during larch season at some point.
Nearing the end of the ridge where a decision must be made
At the end
Right goes down to the drainage Dave and I used for descent
Left looks easier but would require some backtracking
Looking back to the summit while making the decision
Decision made. I went right. Looking down the descent drainage.
Back at the creek that separates Mount Gladstone and Mill Creek Mountain
Same as above
Same as above
The berries will be gone soon too, so better take advantage!
Same as above
Parting look at the Peak and the Mountain
Back at the start, looking up at Whitney Creek Mountain
The End
LOG