GC20
(NNW of Molar Mountain) 
 










September 5, 2024
 
Mountain height:          2810 m
Total elevation gain:     approximately 1200 m
Ascent time:                 6:00
Descent time:               5:00
 
Solo scramble.
 
Two things:
 
1.    Who knew doing a “Radius search” on Bivouac would reveal a plethora of unofficial titles/designations for many of the innumerable unnamed peaks/outliers in the Canadian Rockies? Apparently, everyone but me!
 
2.    GC20 (as designated on Bivouac) is one of the best trips I’ve ever done (with some caveats!)
 
I realize that the phrase “one of the best trips ever” appears frequently in my reports. However, if someone were to ask me to list my favourite Rush songs or Bach compositions, those lists too would be huge; if asked to make a video of the best plays in NFL history, it would be a very long (and totally awesome) video. So, here’s another in my growing “Best ever” list!
 
I first spotted this unnamed, northern outlier of Molar Mountain (and/or western outlier of Minnow Peak) on a magnificent Graeme Pole inspired trip up Molarstone Mountain in 2016; then again, but from a different angle on another magnificent Vern Dewit inspired trip up Minnow Peak in 2022. Several approaches to GC20 seemed viable, and I chose one via Molar Pass.
 
The 10.5 km hike to pass went with relative ease, yet again featuring wonderful views of Noseeum Peak’s awesome northeast side. From that point, the general plan was to head towards the north end of the ridge (south of The Fang) and take whatever line presented itself. One eventually did, but in retrospect it’s not a line I would repeat. Steep fields of unstable boulders and rubble conspired to render a less than aesthetic experience, somewhat reminiscent, but not quite as bad, as a recent ascent of Iceface Peak. And it wasn’t short either, one false top following another, following yet another.

I eventually reached the ridge, very much feeling like I lost that battle! The good news: the panorama from the ridge was outstanding. The view to the west had me star-struck throughout up to that point, but adding the remarkable view to the east took all the sting out of the soul-sucking ascent. Especially eye-catching were the beautiful Fish Lakes below Minnow Peak.
 
The ridgewalk to the summit was also far from a “stroll in the park” – more of a “climb over never-ending, precariously balanced boulders in the park”! However, the views continued to amaze, now featuring a stunning turquoise lake in the valley below, on the west side. Visiting this lake on descent instantly became a trip priority.


 
A few ups and downs later (much later) and I was finally heading to the summit. The terrain here was much easier and very interesting - pinnacles and rock stacks lining the ridge and sand-like terrain underfoot. Six hours after leaving I arrived at the first of two closely spaced summits, tired but almost overwhelmed with the scenic beauty of the entire ascent and of course a spellbinding summit view. Only the absence of the aforementioned lakes was slightly disappointing. I then went to the marginally higher second summit but returned to the first because of its superior view.
 
In regards to footing and ease of terrain, the descent was the polar opposite of the precarious, boulder scrambling trip up. In other words – fantastic! I had already scoped out an alternate route down the west side of the mountain that would allow me to see the turquoise lake from high above. However, in the end that didn’t happen. What did occur was an easy and magical descent, complete with three lake visits and some of the most rewarding scenery I’ve ever been exposed to.
 
The first lake was a surprise, given it doesn’t exist on any maps. In fact, I enjoyed this one the most. I did manage to get a "sort of" birds-eye views of the turquoise one, after traversing beautiful grassy slopes and then gaining the ridge just above the lake. The third was bit of a bust as the Sun had descended enough to leave the lake in shade. Nevertheless, I could not have asked for a more enjoyable descent route. I did briefly entertain the idea of finishing the trip via Noseeum Lake, but like our recent Seward Mountain descent, opted for the longer but easier route. If I were to do the peak again, I would probably use the Noseeum approach and then go up my descent route for GC20.
 
Yet another resounding triumph for obscure, unofficial peaks everywhere. I’ll say it again, “One of the best trips I’ve ever done”! 



The same photo I always take of O Peak - one of my favourites trips in the area



OX Peak joins in at the left - NOT one of my favourite trips in the area



The Quartzite, Ramp, Mosquito trio - also a view I can't help taking a photo of every time!



The magnificent and also heavily photographed northeast side of Noseeum Peak



Same as above



OX Peak, OXO Peak, and Watermelon Peak



Molar Pass (sometimes referred to as South Molar Pass) near the left



Mosquito



All the aforementioned mountains







At Molar Pass



View from the pass



Bivouac identifies this very distinctive outlier of Noseeum Peak as GC48 (Bearskin)



Nice perch to admire the surroundings



Gaining elevation towards the col between The Fang and the ridge that leads to GC20



Veering off to the right to cut down the distance to the ridge. In retrospect I probably should have stuck to the col route, though it would not have avoided all the "bouldering".



Mount Hector was stunning throughout



Hector and the three southeastern outliers of Noseeum



Cool karst pavement



The small tarn at the left turned out to be very cool also











It's reflection time







Bearskin and Noseeum








The route ahead



Approaching the start of the real work. I probably should have veered left here, but instead I went right up the middle.



Looks straightforward, but it gets steep and is very foreshortened



Typical steepness shown on the left



Looking back to where I came from



Zoomed-in shot of the last lake I will visit underneath the southern-most outlier of Noseeum



Typical boulder scrambling on the route



Getting a fuller view of all the peaks to the west



First sighting of Molar Mountain



First sighting of the stunning lake on the west side of the ridge



Though tedious to ascend, the boulders were beautiful to look at



The Unnamed peak attached to Mount Andromache



The lake was the centre of attention for quite a while



The valley on the other side of the ridge is equally scenic. Molarstone Mountain at the left.



Hector and the lake



Approaching one of several highpoints along the ridge



Ouch! The Fish Lakes have taken over as the scenic interest.



The big Fish Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen



View from that highpoint. The summit is still some distance away.



Minnow Peak - killer view from that one too



Cataract Peak



I think the peak right left of centre is Deluc Peak



The Willingdons



Big peaks around Lake Louise including Temple, Deltaform, and Lefroy



All of it to the northeast, east, and southeast



More to the south



Definitely smitten with the Fish Lake



In fact, smitten with it all



Big gap



The immense rock fin at the right was super impressive



Speaking of smitten and impressive!







Another of my favourite views of this trip



First good view of the summit. Not the big peak in the centre (that's Molar), but the one directly in front of Molar.



Managed to get the beautiful lakes on both sides of the ridge into one photo, though they are small



Fish Lake has very regrettably disappeared from the view



Another highpoint ahead but I'm going to bypass this one on the left



Clambering over these types of boulders was the theme of the ascent route



Fish Lake is back!



Approaching the bypass



There it is







Summit of GC20 near the right



Lots of cool rock features en route











Looking back at the last highpoint











In terms of terrain, this whole section was the highlight of the ascent, due to its uniqueness



Good balancing act



Closing in on the summit. The light coloured ground was a sand-like consistency







On the sand-like terrain, ready to ascend the slope ahead, which was also comprised of finely ground rock







On the ridge again



This obstacle was easily circumvented on the right



Crazy, cool colours



The very flimsy cairn I built at the summit. No doubt a strong wind will take it down.



Pretty darn good view of Molar's Mountain's fierce north face



Molar and southeast



Molar and southwest



No Molar



View to the southwest and west



Northwest and north



Tenacious snow patch between the two summits



East from the true summit



Built an equally flimsy cairn here - lucky it's not my day job!



Had to take all the summit views again!











There may be a route to Minnow from here, via the right to left trending ridge







Descending



The big Fish Lake and one of the tarns en route to Minnow Peak



Cataract and others


More others. Again, the colours all around were remarkable.



Last look at Molar from this angle



Last glimpse of the big lake



The rocks in front looked like a deck of cards



Close-up



Colour overload



Looking down some of the alternate descent route. The goal at this point was to traverse over to the ridge at the centre right.



The descent route also featured many cool rock formations and colours











Some oxidized rock in front, to make me feel like I'm in Southern Alberta or Northern Montana











The small lake that doesn't appear on any maps makes its first appearance



Originally I planned to be descending this ridge to see the turquoise lake from high above



Instead I went down directly to the other lake



The autumn colours are starting to appear



Getting closer to this gem of a lake



And closer



And closer



It doesn't hurt to be backdropped by Mount Hector







Looking back at some of those autumn colours



Arrived at the lake



Needless to say I had to check out the lake from many different angles















Crystal clear water



Probably my favourite viewpoint of the day







At the southwest end of the lake



Looking back to the summit and Molar Mountain



Traversing (and gaining a little elevation) over to the turquoise lake















The turquoise lake was about as eye-catching as it gets



At the lake outlet



I also felt compelled to go around a big portion of this lake











Another descent (or ascent) option for GC20



Leaving the area



Heading towards the third lake, under the outliers of Noseeum Peak







Striking Molar Mountain and Molar Tower (right). The Mountain is a long, moderate scramble; the Tower is a 5.8 technical climb.



The lake sits under the southeastern-most outlier


    
Following the outlet stream to get to the lake







The third lake



Using the "pano" feature on iphones sometimes does weird things with light, Sun, and sky



But I like it!







View from the northwest side of the lake



Steep rock above the lake







Heading back to Molar Pass



Mosquito Mountain is a welcome sight



At the pass



Noseeum looks very different later in the day



Love the trail that descends from the pass



The QRM trio always look better later in the day



So does the southwest side of Noseeum. Always the last view before heading into the forest on the Mosquito Creek Trail. Only a couple kilometres left of a totally awesome trip.

The End

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