Mount Rowe IV


 
October 3, 2020
 
Mountain height:  2464 m     
Elevation gain:    1260 m
Round-trip time:  7:53

Scramble with Dave.
 
To our collective surprise the Akamina Parkway opened on October 1, 2020, well ahead of the projected timeline of late spring, 2021. After a three year absence from the Parkway, I was super excited to do any trip along the road. I chose a visit to the Rowe Lakes, but when Dave agreed to join me, we upgraded to Mount Rowe with an attempt to traverse over to Mount Lineham.
 
Leaving the trailhead at 7:15 am, we arrived at the Lower Rowe Lake in about an hour. Though a pleasant diversion, the Lower Rowe Lake is not one to knock your socks off, so we left promptly and headed to the Upper Lakes. The Upper Lake did not disappoint, but even better was the slightly lower Upper Lake that did in fact knock our socks off! Shockingly the lake was several metres lower than my last visit in July of 2012. This allowed us to easily hike around the entire lake (more of a big puddle than a lake at this time of the year), enjoying stunning “puddle” reflections of Mount Lineham and the surrounding area.  
 
From the slightly lower Upper Lake (Dave affectionately calling it “Less Uppity Lake”!), we quickly gained the northeast ridge and then followed it, without difficulty, to the summit. Unfortunately, the section of fun scrambling along the ridge is all too short. Compensating for that shortcoming, however, is a terrifically colourful summit view.
 
After a very gratifying summit stay, we set our sights on a high-level traverse to Mount Lineham. The topo lines on our maps hinted that this route was possible and if not we would at least get to enjoy easy ridgewalking to two minor summits, both higher than Mount Rowe. This was my third time hiking the terrain and definitely the most enjoyable – stellar weather, autumn colours, and great company, all contributing factors.
 
Unfortunately, the ride ended at the second highpoint – also affectionately and appropriately named the “The Peak of Despair” by Dave”! We searched for a route down to the col between “The Peak of Despair” and Mount Lineham but all we found was the unusual sight of a rappel sling attached to a park boundary sign – that’s something you don’t see everyday!
 
A little disillusioned, but still enjoying the stellar weather and phenomenal views, we returned to the first highpoint and then embarked on the easy and super scenic descent directly down to the Upper Rowe Lake. Aside from some pretty terrific larch tree scenery, a serendipitous encounter with Sonny, Zosia, Asieh, and Ali was the highlight of the descent to the lake. The group was on their way to Mount Rowe but wanted first to go to the highpoint above the lake. After an enjoyable conversation with the delightful quartet we went off on our separate ways.


 
Another round of superb lake reflections, upon reaching the upper lake, became the second highlight of the descent. And I’d have to give third prize to the fall colours along the Rowe Lakes trail (Dave’s great company is always #1 or, at the very least, tied for it!).     
 
Not completing the loop route was disappointing, but everything else was simply fantastic – a great day out!

Click HERE to see Dave's report.


The Moon between mounts Rowe (left) and Lineham (photo by Dave)



Fall colours and the east summit of Mount Rowe (photo by Dave)



The Sun's rays are finally hitting the mountains - highlighting "The Peak of Despair"! (photo by Dave)
Lower Rowe Lake. As stated, nothing that's going to knock your socks off!



Some pleasant water scenery en route to Rowe Meadows



Crossing the stream at Rowe Meadows (photo by Dave)
Dave does the same


Excellent switchbacks to help gain all the elevation to the Upper Rowe Lakes (photo by Dave)
The ridge above the Upper Rowe Lake that has most of the area's larches



At the Upper Lake (photo by Dave)





Losing a little elevation to get to the slightly lower Upper Lake ("Less Uppity Lake") (photo by Dave)
Where's the water?????



A photo taken from nearly the same spot in July of 2012



Less Uppity Lake has been reduced to a giant puddle



Dave hiked around one side of the puddle, while I took the other side (photo by Dave)

Fortunately, even puddles provide great reflections. Mount Lineham gets tons of photo attention here.



The water level, when the lake is full, is clearly visible on the rock







Dave captures a perfect reflection and the cool lines of larch needles along the shore as well (photo by Dave)


Dave leaves the puddle for a more ambitious objective



Gaining elevation, to see both lakes



Dave almost on the east ridge of Rowe
 






On the ridge and heading up towards the summit



Pointing out the route Mark and me used to ascend Rowe, back in 2006



The east high point of Rowe



Start of the fun but way too short east ridge



Dave leads the first challenging section







Exposure is minimal but still grabs you once in a while



I follow (photo by Dave)



Typically great Waterton terrain to negotiate (photo by Dave)

Same as above (photo by Dave)

My obligatory photo of lichen on rock



More fun scrambling (photo by Dave)

The scrambling ends all too soon, but is followed by a view-filled stroll up red argillite rock to the summit



Cameron Lake at the left



The view to the north along the final stretch features the magnificent colours of Waterton



Dave at the summit of Mount Rowe



Summit pose



Dave checks out the lakes from near the summit



Long Knife Peak (photo by Dave)

Two of the bigger peaks in Glacier National Park, Mounts Kintla (left) and Kinnerly (photo by Dave)

Our next two objectives (left and right) and distant Mount Festubert in the centre



My turn at the summit (photo by Dave)



Dave does his best impression of one of the cooler guys in Southern Alberta, Brad Wolcott!



Knowing that Sonny and Zosia will be arriving at the summit at some point in the day, Dave thoughtfully says "Hi" (photo by Dave)



Dave leads the traverse to the next highpoint







More Glacier magic: mounts Chapman (left) and Custer (photo by Dave)



More Waterton magic



Traversing below the ridge to experience a section of vibrant red argillite



Sweetest rock on the planet (for looking at, not necessarily for climbing!!!)



Dave, at the far left, regains the ridge




I'm lagging behind because of my unapologetic obsession with the red rock (photo by Dave)



The larches are clearly visible on the descent slopes



Dave approaches the summit of the first highpoint



Taking in the views of the Alan Kane's fantastic Blakiston Horseshoe route. Mount Blakiston in the centre.



Hazy views to the south include Rowe, Buchanan Ridge and distant Mount Cleveland



The up-close rock and distant mountains continue to impress
 






Dave and the impressively steep face of the highpoint we just left



Looking longingly at the red ridge of Mount Lineham we are trying to get to (photo by Dave)



Dave at the summit of the second highpoint



The park boundary sign that someone used as a rappel anchor



Looking down the section they rappelled



We looked for a route down to the trail below but there were several cliffbands that would have halted progress (photo by Dave)



Defeated! (photo by Dave)



Returning to the first highpoint







Final taste of a terrific mountain vista



Asieh, Zosia,Sonny, me, and Ali (photo by Dave)



Heading for the larches



Wonderful travel through the colourful trees (photo by Dave)



A few larches and The Peak of Despair







Looking back to the bulk of the larches and the ridge between Rowe and the highpoint



From this angle the Upper Lake has a green hue and the Less Uppity Lake has a blue one (photo by Dave)





Another section of larches



Big chunk of red argillite, golden larches, and a blue sky. Add a little snow and you would have my definition of heaven!



Dave weaves through the argillite boulders and larches



The coolest of the boulders







Checking out the north face of Rowe. Lots of colourful rock that rarely sees the Sun (photo by Dave).



Dave picked a great route down to the lake (photo by Dave)



Distinctive patch of red to complement the other autumn colours



Back at the Upper Lake and ready to enjoy more water reflections

Looking back to where we came from



Sweet reflection! (photo by Dave)




We decided to hike around the south side of the lake







There were several other parties at the lake, enjoying the same things we were



Last look at the Upper Lake



Repeat visit to the Less Uppity Lake because - well, why not!!



The red argillite path connecting the lakes is the only reason I need!



Best puddle ever!



Leaving the Less Uppity Lake (photo by Dave)



Back at the interesting stream crossing (photo by Dave)



And back to the east side of Mount Lineham, where you'll find an array of beautiful autumn colours (provided it's autumn!)







Fall colours by Dave



Larches don't have a monopoly on stunning yellows



Great hike out with great views of Buchanan Ridge (photo by Dave)



Dave is enjoying it too



Hiking through the burned remains of the 2017 Kenow fire (photo by Dave)



A little red argillite diversion near the end of the trip



More remains. Some of the trees are burned black, while others had shed their bark and appear silver/white.



Dave hikes the final few hundred metres of a fantastic day!

The End

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