Horseshoe Basin Outlier II




                                                                                   
 
March 21, 2026
 
Highpoint:        2118 m
Elevation gain: 750 m
Ascent time:     3:45
Descent time:   2:30
 
Solo scramble.
 
Despite the incredibly miserable weather this turned out to be a very enjoyable trip.
 
Greatly in need of some exercise, following a somewhat sedentary two-week stretch, I decided to do a trip even though the weather was forecast to be lousy all day. Yet again I chose the Horseshoe Basin trailhead as a starting point, with no specific objective in mind. There are so many possibilities for exploration in this area.
 
Upon reaching the minor pass at the base of Bellevue Hill’s northeast ridge, I decided to descend to Galwey Brook and see where that would take me. The brook was running high and tricky to cross without getting my feet wet, but once on the other side, a new route to explore was revealed – up one of the subsidiary creeks heading directly towards the summit of Rogan Peak. Of course, the summit of Rogan is unachievable as a scramble from this side, however, a significant summit was never on the agenda for this bleak day. 
 
Following the creek went with general ease and I gained a surprising amount of elevation. Then things got more serious and moving out of the drainage became imperative. At this point, the ridge Mark and I used on our first ascent of Rogan sat on my right and a ridge I had partially ascended several years ago on my left. Either would work but I had not been up the left ridge to its highest point and so I picked that direction.
 
Getting over to the ridge was definitely the crux of the day – deep, sometimes unsupportive snow and quite steep in places. Once on the ridge, I ascended it for a short distance and then stopped for a quick break. In near whiteout conditions, continuing right up to the rock face would have been a fruitless endeavour, not to mention potentially dangerous.
 
Heading directly down the ridge was a logical descent route. I would eventually intercept the highpoint I reached in 2021. Except I didn’t. About halfway down, and in very poor visibility, I discovered I had inadvertently taken the wrong ridge. Thankfully this ridge too led easily back down to Galwey Brook and eventually the main trail.
 
Over the years, I have dramatically shied away from doing trips on socked-in days, simply because scenery and views are my only motivation for going out 99% of the time. However, this trip reminded me that the mountains can be enjoyed in any weather. Granted, it’s highly unlikely I will make a habit of the “socked-in days” practice, but I’m glad I still managed to find lots to appreciate and be thankful for. (including ending a sentence with a preposition!)

The bison are probably right at home in the miserable weather



The south side of Lakeview Ridge



Heading down to Galwey Brook. There are a host of peaks in front but the weather wants to hide them.



The brook is running high - as it should be at this time of the year



On the other side and heading up the valley



Stayed alongside this creek for a few long exposure photos








The ridge Mark and I used to access Rogan Peak



Not much to see looking back down the valley



The outline of Rogan Peak can just be seen



That ridge again



The first cool rock band on the ridge



The second



The creek turns north, running between the Rogan ridge and the Horseshoe Basin outlier



When there are no views, photograph the trees



And the water











The icicles on the foliage also make great photo subjects















Quick break from the water and onto the wood







Back to the water











Steered clear of the edge of this one. There appeared to be a huge hole below the snow.















More icicles







The creek splits. I took the left fork.



Another hole you want to steer clear of



Last of the icicles



Snow on winter foliage



Unusual pinnacle of avalanche debris



The avalanche from where it came



Sticking to the right side of the gully



More tree scenery







The terrain gets fairly steep up high and staying in the gully would not be wise. I cut over to the left shortly after and worked my way over to the ridge - the crux of the day.



On the ridge, looking up it. Rogan Peak is right in front, but you wouldn't know it.



The view down the ridge isn't any better



Break time



The outline of Rogan appears again



So does a little of the connecting ridge between Rogan and Galwey North



More of Rogan, but that's as good as it would get



This group of sheep kept a close eye on me



Rogan



Heading down the easy ridge



The clouds lift a little for a short time



A small sucker patch of blue sky



The best view I got towards Mount Galwey



The Sun is shinning on my tracks, but little else



I should have gone left at the end, but I went right and ended up taking a new route down



The clouds try to clear around Rogan



Same as above



But to no avail. This was the last of saw of Rogan Peak.



And the last of Galwey



The summit of Bellevue Hill just pokes out of the clouds



Back to being socked in



Back down in the valley



A few of the rock bands I encountered on my first trip up this way



Close-up of one



And another



There are many easy routes up to Bellevue from this valley



The route ahead



The route behind



Back to enjoying the trees



Parting look at where I was (though you still can't see much) before finishing the trip down the other side of the pass

The End

LOG