Lakeview Ridge VII
November 4, 2025
Mountain height: 1945 m
Elevation gain: approximately
800 m
Ascent time: 2:45
Descent time: 2:15
Solo
scramble.
With limited
time and a weather forecast that could go either way I decided to head, once
again, into the scenic Horseshoe Basin. Upon arriving, I would decide on
an objective – Bellevue Hill, Rogan Peak, Lakeview Ridge, any of the little
hills along the way, or just a simple out and back hike.
The basin
greeted me with terrific views and a long bout of indecision. An intriguing
rock band Mark and I had seen en route to Rogan Peak in 2007 had lots of
appeal, as did a repeat trip up a cool drainage with Brad and Dave in 2021.
Heading towards both objectives, however, I decided that perfect weather would be
a criteria for either and although the skies were generally clear, they were
not perfect.
Instead, I
continued up the valley for a short distance and then turned east, up towards
the south ridge of Lakeview Ridge. This was a different path than previous
ascents. It did the trick but offered nothing more than those other routes. An
easy ridgewalk to the summit followed.
A tempting and
new descent route down the east side had great appeal for getting down the
mountain, but hoping for those perfectly clear skies, I opted to return via the
south ridge. The clear skies never really materialized, the Sun hiding behind
an obstinate wall of cloud to the south. However, views and scenery were still
rewarding, especially towards Rogan, Dungarvan, and Spread Eagle, and later
down near Galwey Brook.
A pleasant, if
not mind-blowing day, with a little new terrain on a wonderful mountain.
Just past the trailhead, Rogan Peak and Mount Dungarvan make their
initial appearances. They will be the focus through much of the
approach.
A fresh layer of snow adds to the visual appeal of Rogan
Bellevue Hill. The northeast route goes up the right skyline.
Almost at the highpoint of the approach, the south ridge of Lakeview Ridge is revealed
Rogan and Dungarvan through the tress
Without the trees
That south ridge again. A group of us descended it after a long but rewarding ascent of Kesler Lake Peak, followed by Lakeview Ridge.
Here come endless photos of Galwey North, Rogan, Dungarvan, and Lakeview
The End (but not really!)
Rogan close-up
The rock outcrop at the right was a potential objective. Mark and I had scrambled up/around it on our first ascent of Rogan.
Wandering up the valley without a goal
Looks like that will be the goal - straight up to intersect Lakeview's south ridge
But first a minor detour to see some cool rock
The route up to the ridge doesn't appear to be inspiring and it wasn't
The cloud cover to the south that prompted me to forgo routes on the east side of Rogan
Traversing north to see if there exists a more interesting line
The southeast side of Mount Dungarvan but not the summit
The other option that I decided against was up this stunning red argillite drainage
I thought the impressionist painting-like clouds might dissipate over the day
As interesting as this route got
On the ridge. The summit of Lakeview directly ahead.
The northeast summit of the Lakeview loop route at the left
Cloudy Junior (right) joins the Rogan/Dungarvan show
Mount Yarrow (left) and Spread Eagle Mountain do too
Dungarvan and Spread Eagle
The views toward Spread Eagle were very rewarding and received tons of photo attention
At the summit
Summit panos, featuring those annoying clouds
Only one without the clouds
Unofficial Kelser Lake
The middle section of the lengthy and extremely rewarding Spionkop traverse,
just left of centre. That's a route I would love to repeat, but I'm not
sure I could handle the significant distance these days!
Still smitten with Spread Eagle Mountain
Cloudy Ridge
Close-up of Cloudy Junior
Close-up of Cloudy Ridge
Distant Mount Cleveland
Chief Mountain
Gloomy views to the south on descent
Sunny ones to the north
Same as above
The top of Rogan Peak. Mark and I ascended the gully/face just right of the obvious dividing line
The northeast summit of Lakeview again
Wishing the skies in this photo...
...were those of this one
Better view of the ascent route Mark and I took (the shady gully right of centre). It looks steeper than it really is.
Galwey North (left) and the connecting ridge with Rogan. Kevin and I completed that route in 2007.
The interesting pinnacles on that ridge
The other parts of Lakeview Ridge
Kinda' smitten with the northeast summit too
Last of the many, many views of Rogan and Dungarvan
And of Spread Eagle
Didn't actually mind the cloud creating shadow here
Looking down to Galwey Brook and figuring out a potential route down
The southeast summit of Lakeview. That one goes way back to our first ascent also.
The clouds are finally starting to break up, but it's too late
The scenic environs of Galwey Brook
Same as above
Hiking downstream and looking for a place to cut uphill back towards the main trail
Found a place and a newly fallen tree
That cloud just won't go away
A random rock and Mount Galwey (left of centre)
Vimy Peak at the left
The incredible summit block of Dungarvan is now visible at the left
Close-up
Yet another interesting rock in Waterton. This one has some dark turquoise lichen on it.
The lichen
The top of the rock and other things
On a ridge that will lead back to the main trail at some point
A few interesting scenes along the way
Sometime later and back at the start
The End
LOG
