Plateau Mountain – April 17, 2005

Mountain height:   2,487 m (8,157 ft)
Elevation gain:      515 m 
Ascent time:          2:00
Descent time:        ?

Hiking with Mark and Keri.

Were it not for an interesting and scenic alternate descent route, this trip would have been a total “dud”. Dismally poor weather conditions limited visibility to the mountain itself and yet again, we were denied a decent view of the Continental Divide mountains.

Our intended ascent route was the 6.7 km hike from the west, via Plateau Mountain Road . Upon discovering that the road was closed, however, we chose to take a direct route to the south summit, heading in a northeast direction from Highway 940 (532). This meant more elevation gain, but significantly shortened the overall distance. Initially, weather conditions looked promising, as we ascended through a short section of trees and then onto open, grassy slopes. Higher up, the terrain deteriorated to annoying rubble and the weather took a major turn for the worse: heavy, low cloud cover and blowing snow. We continued, thinking that the system may pass over us, however, when it did, there was another to take its place and then another. It snowed constantly for pretty much the remainder of the day.

Obviously, there was little summit view to speak of and the noisy and unsightly oil well at the top, further detracted from the experience. After a break and some aimless wandering around the presently snow-covered and barren plateau, we turned around. Thankfully, our decision to try an alternate and more direct route down, turned out to be the day’s saving grace. The scenery was terrific, as we weaved our way around and through rockbands and drop-offs. Small overhanging cliffs and an interesting cave further added to the enjoyment of the descent. One of those, “Could have better…could have been worse” days.   

Mark and Keri on the easy ascent slope; this was as good as the view to the west got; shortly after, we were in whiteout type conditions 

A little cornice scenery on the way up

Besides a very large, hungry, and grumpy grizzly bear....the last thing one needs to see on the top of a mountain....welcome to debt-free Alberta???!!!

Taking a break near the summit

More cornice scenery and bleak views

An overhanging rockband, seen on descent

Keri, with the cave behind

Keri and me inside the cave 

Mark and Keri and some of the descent route

Keri and Mark circumventing one of several drop-offs on descent

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