Guinn’s Peak II
(GR237374)
October 2, 2021
Mountain height: 2606 m
Elevation gain: 640
m
Round-trip time: 6 hours
Solo hike.
I very much enjoyed this hike, described in Volume
1 of Gillean Daffern’s Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, 4th edition.
While the initial part of the Galatea Trail always seems to go on much longer than
expected, once past Lilian Lake, the scenery and views are terrific. The forecast
cloudy skies were exactly that and so I wasn’t as whiny as I would usually be
on an overcast day! In fact, those clouds made for some very moody and
sometimes ominous scenes. Views from the summit were excellent.
Definitely a trip I’d repeat on a clear day, perhaps
with the goal of attempting to traverse over to Mount Kidd South – or better,
ascend South Kidd and then traverse to Guinn’s Peak and an easier descent.
Epilogue: although
I initially thought this to be my first trip up Guinn's Peak, several
days after writing this trip report I stumbled across a report from
2004, which describes my actual first ascent. For now, I will look
optimistically on my failing memory, in that it allows me to do
multiple first ascents of the same mountains!!
Mount Kidd South and the famous syncline known as "The Fold"
There are a few pleasant distractions in Galatea Creek to make the first part of the trip more interesting
Another distraction
One more
One of the first open views. Looking back to Limestone Mountain and The Wedge
Lillian Lake and GR224359
The views are opening up even more above Lillian Lake
The Tower and one of the Galatea lakes appears. GR224359 at the left.
Some nice rock to appreciate while heading up to Guinn's Pass
Guinn's Peak (left) and Mount Kidd South (just right of centre). The
trail in the scree is probably the old trail to Guinn's Pass.
The east side of Mount Lillian
From Guinn's Pass, it's an easy ascent to Guinn's Peak
First view of Mount Bogart (left) and Ribbon Lake
Lots of unofficial peaks to the north
Bogart and Ribbon Lake
Throw in Lillian at the left
Mount Galatea, just left of centre
The Tower and Lillian
Some of those ominous clouds
Galatea, The Tower, and Lillian, lined up like good children
Guinn's summit cairn and a blurry Bogart
View to the northeast
Was super happy to encounter some bright yellow lichen!
Same as above
The view to the northeast was very atmospheric with the cool lighting
Mount Kidd South
One more northeast pano
A well-constructed rock bench
Looking back at Guinn and South Kidd
Another section of interesting and colourful rock
The highlight of the descent was the ominous and not so ominous clouds and lighting
Lillian Lake
Back at the suspension bridge spanning the Kananaskis River
Mount Kidd and the bridge
No bridge
The End
LOG
