Bennett Pass Peak
July 12, 2022
Mountain height: 2160 m
Elevation gain: approximately
600 m
Round-trip
time: 3:30
Solo scramble.
With a 4-hour
time limit, this minor summit northwest of Wall Lake and close to Bennett Pass
seemed like a good idea – and it was!
The trip starts
with a 5.2 km hike or bike to Wall Lake. Obviously, I (e)biked it, arriving at
the lake in about 25 minutes. After hiking about 1 km towards Bennett Pass, I
left the trail, aiming for a group of red argillite rock bands lining the upper
section of the objective. They did not disappoint and neither did the summit
view. Of course, Akamina Ridge blocked the entire view to the south, but the
rest of the view was pretty decent for a minor peak of very modest height.
For descent I
was able to work my way down the west ridge of the peak, right back to the
Bennett Pass hiking trail, making for a pleasant loop. The bike ridge back was
fun and exhilarating.
Great little
peak if time is short and/or you are in the Wall Lake area.
Wall Lake
Akamina Ridge at the left and Bennett Pass Peak at the right
Results of the Kenow fire: stripped, burned tress and the lush green of new growth
Great scenery along the Bennett Pass Trail
Some of the great rock scenery that's part of Akamina Ridge
Lots of water flowing down into Wall Lake
Not surprisingly there is still a great deal of snow in the upper valley
Looking up the lower section of the ascent route up Bennett Pass Peak
Flowery slopes to ascend
The first of many scenes of red argillite
The second!
Summit of Akamina Ridge
Some of the interesting scenery en route to the summit
Summit view to the west
Mount Rowe to the northeast
Wall Lake
Wall Lake and more
Looking down the very precipitous northwest side of the peak
Looking down the less precipitous west side where I went down
Descended alongside this cool wall
Even without the Sun lighting it up, the red argillite is awesome
The crux of the descent was downclimbing this gully. It's very ledgey and easier than it appears.
More of the west ridge descent and Alamina Ridge
With the Sun, the argillite is magnificent
One day I will have to explore this section of amazing rock
Back down to the Bennett Pass Trail
Looking back to the objective on the right
The west end of Wall Lake
Last look at Bennett Pass Peak
Last look at Wall Lake
The End
LOG