Heather Ridge II


 
July 12, 2021
 
Mountain height:  2690 m
Elevation gain:    approximately 1100 m
Round-trip time:  8:10
 
Solo scramble.
 
First completed as a wonderful winter-like ascent, this trip demanded another run in the summer.
 
Regretting my bike didn’t accompany me on the drive to Lake Louise, I hiked the 4 km approach and then continued easily to Boulder Pass. Without 2 metres of snow, this part of the trip took way less time and a fraction of the effort than our previous visit. The skies were generally clear, but a little hazy from an alarming number of forest fires in British Columbia (for early July, that is).
 
Scenery and views up to that point had been fantastic, but nothing compared to the view atop the northwest summit, where Mark and I had stopped last time. This summit affords one unobstructed views of three magnificent Lakes (Redoubt, Ptarmigan, and Baker), in addition to all the picturesque mountains around those lakes. That view was great in May of 2019, but infinitely better without snow and ice (given my love for winter scenery that’s a sentiment I rarely, if ever, express!)
 
After a very long and super rewarding northwest summit stay, I turned my attention to the true summit, about 1 km to the southeast. I thought the traverse over would be a 20-minute cakewalk on easy terrain. However, it took a full hour and was replete with interesting pinnacles to dodge around, sections of boulder-hopping, and a few route-finding challenges. Not that I’m complaining – this part of the trip was engaging and entertaining. Although the view from the true summit was still spectacular, the aforementioned lakes were noticeably missing. 
  
I took an alternate descent route, making my way down, more or less directly towards Redoubt Lake. This worked perfectly, granting easy access to the scenic south end of that lake. The hike out was also easy and generally very enjoyable (with perhaps the exception of the last 4 km along down the access road).   
 
An excellent return to a stunning area of the Rockies I should visit more often.


Hazy view to the west on approach. The Sheol/Haddo/Aberdeen massif and Fairview Mountain are featured.



Approaching the amazing Skoki area. Left to right: Mount Richardson, Pika Peak, and Ptarmigan Peak.



Passing by Ptarmigan - a much photographed peak on this trip



A boulder field and Mount Temple



Same as above and an unnamed ridge northeast of Whitehorn Mountain



Ptarmigan and a huge boulder



Ptarmigan Lake, with Fossil Mountain at it's east end



The lake and the mountain



Heather Ridge and its northwest summit



Not the last photo of Ptarmigan!



Redoubt Mountain will receive as much attention as Ptarmigan



Redoubt and Ptarmigan - life is just getting better and better!



Redoubt Mountain and it's namesake lake



It's a long, narrow lake



Lots of interesting rock on ascent



Two of the three lakes and their namesake mountains



Typical terrain to reach the northwest summit



The wall to the right of Ptarmigan is the daunting Wall of Jericho (9 pitches of climbing up to 5.8 - i.e. way beyond my level of climbing!)



More cool rock near the summit



The summit view to the northeast includes Fossil Mountain, distant mounts Douglas and St. Bride, and Brachiopod Mountain



The summit view to the north, northwest, and west includes Redoubt, Ptarmiigan, Fossil, and three beautiful lakes



Can't get enough of Redoubt and Ptarmigan



Baker Lake at the left



The summit cairn and Fossil



Going to the lower end of the ridge reveals full views of all three lakes



The little guy in front is Skoki Mountain. Pipestone and Cyclone mountains behind.



Packer's Peak is the really smaller peak in the centre and is usually ascended in the winter



The traverse over to the true summit is interesting right from the start



Negotiating a big boulder field on the ridge



Some of the rock on the ridge



The boulders keep on coming



The next section looks very straightforward



But is still characterized by stunning pinnacles























The last part of the traverse is super easy



Almost at the summit. Anthozoan Mountain is connected to Brachiopod.



Summit view to the north



Fossil and Baker Lake look different from this angle



Mount Temple. The strip of snow at the left is the famous Aemmer Coulier - 600 m of very challenging, 45-55 degree skiing (of course I wouldn't know firsthand, since I can barely ski!).



Brachiopod, Douglas and St. Bride again



The summit view is spectacular, but only a section of Baker lake is visible. The others are completely blocked.



Summit view to the northeast



One more summit pano - why not!



Using this route down looked very easy and was very tempting. However, I wanted to see Redoubt Lake which is in the other direction.



Colourful, lichen-covered rock tops the mountain



Wicked slab of huge rock, seen on the alternate descent route



Same as above from another angle



Another boulder field to negotiate, but Redoubt Lake is getting close



From this point it was a pleasant, rewarding, and easy hike to the lake



Ptarmigan, however, is still commanding some attention



Redoubt Lake sits on a noticeable plateau, below the imposing walls of Redoubt Mountain



Redoubt Lake drains into a small tarn east of the lake



 Ptarmigan reflection



Approaching the lake outlet - a very easy crossing



The tarn



The tarn and Heather Ridge



Terrific slabs to walk across



Packer's Peak is small but framed nicely from the south end of the lake



Another tarn lies directly south of the lake



Heading back



The beautiful colours of Redoubt Lake



















Parting look at the northwest summit of Heather Ridge



Returning to Ptarmigan Lake and, of course, great views of Ptarmigan Peak



Last look at Redoubt Mountain



Ptarmigan Lake is stunning, especially when on a calm day and reflecting the mountains around it















Now that's the way travel into this area!



Passing that big boulder once again. Just an easy hike back from here.

The End

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