Gilligan Peak



Skogan Peak III



August 28, 2021
 
Mountain heights: 2622 m and 2662 m  
Elevation gain:      approximately 1550 m
Round-trip time:   7:25
 
Solo scramble.
 
The Mount McGillivray/Lorette massif is another interesting example of peak-naming in the Canadian Rockies. The massif has four prominent summits, but only the peaks at the far north end (McGillivray) and south end (Lorette) have official names. Those peaks are also the two lowest ones, both exceeded in height by unofficial Skogan Peak and the unnamed peak north of Skogan – at least I thought it was unnamed.
 
Scouring through Cornelius Rott’s outstanding website, Spectacular Mountains, I happened to come across an excellent trip report for that unnamed peak - humourously given the name Gilligan Peak (McGillivray, Skogan) by Cornelius.
 
This appeared to be a great objective and yet again, I had an “Ace in the Hole” for the trip, in the form of my e-bike. The approach towards Skogan Pass is not excessively long or steep, but is a consistent uphill grind that would probably test even very fit cyclists. My aging quadriceps were not up for the task, but my e-bike certainly was!  
 
After ditching my bike, I followed Cornelius’ GPS track up and over a ridge, down into the next valley, and then onto the west ridge of Gilligan. The terrain was fascinating throughout, with improving views and interesting weather to the west. Cornelius provided two routes to the summit, one moderate with a few difficult moves, the other an easier moderate route. I chose the easier route and was at the summit in no time, enjoying an awesome summit panorama.
 
After a long summit break, I decided to check out the ridge going south towards Skogan Peak. The goal was to look for an alternate descent route via the valley south of Gilligan. However, travel along the ridge to Skogan was surprisingly easy and suddenly Skogan’s summit was within striking distance. Naturally, I couldn’t resist another run up that peak, as my previous visit in 2006 with Mark had been a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable trip.
 
As the highest point of the entire massif, Skogan does sport the best view, especially towards Barrier Lake, looking pleasantly turquoise. My summit stay was short but very nostalgic. I then started descending the west ridge of Skogan. The hope was that I could stay on this ridge throughout and eventually join up with the ascent route, thus avoiding an elevation gain and bushwhack to get back up to the ridge. Unfortunately, an overhanging rock band near the low col thwarted that plan, but the scenery and views throughout were amazing under a clear blue sky. After scrapping many trips throughout the summer of 2021 because of insanely smoky skies, seeing a smoke-free (and cloud-free) sky was more than gratifying.
 
From the col, I lost elevation into the aforementioned valley and then regained the ridge and the ascent route. 30 minutes of light bushwhacking later I was back on the main trail. Needless to say, the 6 or so kilometre bike ride back to the parking lot was a riot – zero pedaling and lots of braking! No e-bike needed here; it’s all downhill.       
            
A wonderful day of adventure and new scenery! Huge shout-out to Cornelius and his partner for the day, Trevor, for paving the way on this one. 



Cloudier than expected view of the first peak of Mount Lougheed and The Windtower from the parking lot



The Sun's rays creeping up Mount Collembola



On the west ridge of Gilligan, looking back to the ridge I just came over



Up we go



Clouds are less annoying when they are crawling up and over the mountain tops



Gaining elevation and getting some good views. Mount McGillivray at the far right.



The clouds refuse to leave the 3 summits of Lougheed and Wind Mountain



Grotto Mountain in the distant centre



Close-up of McGillivray



Looking up the main part of Gilligan's ascent route



Very interesting weather over Mount Kidd



Easy travel lower down







Approaching the steeper part of the ascent. Cornelius and Trevor went straight up on ascent and then took the easier route over to the left on descent. I took their easier route going up and neither coming down. 



Looking down the ascent route and across the valley



The easier route. There are still some steep slabs to traverse unless you lose a bunch of elevation first. 



A small and too uncommon section of solid rock



On the ridge and heading to the summit



Skogan Peak to the south



Part of the ridge trending south from Heart Mountain



A rock window



Same as above



The Three Sisters



Fisher Peak to the right of Skogan



Looking down the impressive northeast ridge of Gilligan



Yamnuska (of course!)



The clouds are finally moving on



Summit view to the northeast



Pigeon Mountain in the foreground



Passing by the rock window again on the way to Skogan



Typical terrain on the traverse



Traversing back to the ridge after circumventing a steep rock band



Straightforward travel once back on the ridge



Looking back to Gilligan



Summit of Skogan is dead ahead and requires only a couple of moves of scrambling



The view to the northwest is looking better by a second



Barrier Lake makes its first appearance



The addition of Barrier Lake and Mary Barclay Mountain (the one at the right with the orange scree) very much compliment the view



Gilligan at the right and the ridge I descended off Skogan at the left



Barrier and Mary Barclay again



One more obstacle on the ridge, but it was easily circumvented







The long, overdue return to the summit of Skogan Peak - It's Been Awhile



Looking down the descent route of Skogan. Now cloud-free over Wind, Lougheed, The Windtower, and The Three Sisters.



Barrier Lake doing a very convincing imitation of Peyto Lake



Summit view to the northwest, west, and southwest



View to the north



Looking south along the ridge and down to Mount Lorette



The Nakiska Ski hill, Mount Bogart (right) and Mount Galatea (left)



Closer look at two of Lougheed's three summits (right) and Wind Mountain. Collembola in front.



Nice ledge on descent



Some of the best views of the day occurred while descending the west ridge



Eventually I ended up going down into the valley in the middle







Negotiating the minor ups and downs of the ridge at col



End of the line for the west ridge descent



Losing elevation down here might have enabled me to continue along the ridge, but I didn't think it was worth the effort



Even the low col appears to be around the same height as Mount Lorette



Looking back up the west ridge



Descending into the valley, looking up to the connecting ridge between Gilligan and Skogan







Final view to the west before the light bushwhack and ridiculously easy bike ride down

The End

LOG