Penny’s Peak



Marvel Peak 


 
September 3, 2022
 
Mountain heights:                 2560 m, 2708 m
Total elevation gain:              1350 m
Ascent time to Penny:           3:20
Time from Penny to Marvel:   1:25
Descent time:                        4:40
 
Scrambling with Mark.
 
Inspired by Matt Hobbs 2017 ascent of Penny’s Peak and Jake Finnan’s 2020 Facebook post, describing a relatively easy route up Marvel Peak, this trip was catapulted to the top of our “trips to do on a cloudless day” list. Unfortunately, as luck wouldn’t have it, the first cloudless day when our schedules aligned was also one of the smokiest days of the summer.
 
Nevertheless, we took the chance that the forest fire smoke wouldn’t be too bad and embarked on the long drive to the trailhead. The last time Mark and I visited this area, our combined age sat comfortably at exactly three quarters of a century – that number is now well into triple digits!!
 
The skies didn’t look great from the start, but we had seen much worse and you don’t drive the long Settler road and then turn around with nothing to show for it. The hike to Aurora Lake went with ease along an excellent trail, but as expected, potentially outstanding views at the lake were very much muted by the smoke. Nevertheless, it was still great to be in this incredible part of the Rockies. Onto to Penny’s Peak…
 
Penny’s Peak sits immediately above Aurora Lake and has earned a couple of unofficial names. My favourite is definitely “Penny’s Peak”, named by Matt Hobbs in tribute to his and Brianna’s second daughter, Penny. As a cold-hearted, childless bachelor, I don’t get the “warm, fuzzies” often, but I can’t help but be moved in seeing the incomparable love a parent has for his/her children expressed in this way – gives me hope for our species as a whole!
 
Back to the trip. Penny Peak’s was ascended with ease and provided spell-binding views of the Assiniboine area, but again marred by the smoke. This viewpoint alone is well worth the effort of the long drive. After a short break we descended steep slopes to Penny/Marvel col and then started up the other side.

With the help of Jake’s photos and those from several other sources, ascending Marvel was fairly straightforward. We did try to gain the ridge earlier than suggested, but hit an impasses upon reaching it. The final section to the summit, though short, was very scenic and very rewarding, the full scope of the view almost upon us.

Even with the smoke, the summit view was fantastic, and we took a fairly long break to soak it all in. Of course, there was some degree of disappointment with the conditions, but neither of us were cursing, swearing, or kicking rocks around so I’d call it a win!  

 

Nothing particularly earth-shattering about the descent to report. We simply followed our route in reverse.
 
An amazing day in a spectacular setting, however, a return to both summits on a cloudless AND smokeless day is a forgone conclusion.
     
   

The start of the trip. Eon Mountain on the left and Mount Alcantara at the right.



Eon (left) and the east peak of Mount Gloria



Pleasant swampy area just before reaching Aurora Lake




Aurora Lake is a real gem. Too bad about the hazy/smoky conditions.



The lake reflects a couple of unnamed summits in addition to Mount Byng and Aurora Mountain



At the east end of the lake



Penny's Peak, dead ahead



A low-flying helicopter whizzes by



Eon Mountain is a very aesthetic-looking peak when viewed from the east



Starting to get the view we came to see. Minus the smoke would have been nice - and there ends my whining about the smoke!



Assiniboine and the surroundings mountain are spectacular from this vantage point



A cool rock and tree to go with Assiniboine



Mark grinds his way up Penny's Peak



As do I



Approaching the summit of Penny's Peak. Marvel Peak at the right.



Summit



Of course Eon and Aye look great



As does Assiniboine



The whole lot of them and more



Lounging around on Penny's Peak



Descending to the Penny/Marvel col



At the col



Pretty cool views from the col too



The super cool and distinctive west face of Marvel Peak. The ascent route traverse over to the left side of the face then takes a diagonal line below the slabs and up to the right side.



Looking back to Penny and Assiniboine



Obviously most of the attention is going to the west



The start of a somewhat lengthy traverse towards the west face



The typical angle of the traverse



Heading up to the ridge too early



Mark scrambles up a steep section of loose rock to get us back on track after the failed attempt along the ridge



Below the slabs




Mark is almost at the end of the slabs. The summit is over to the left.




Having turned the corner, the summit is a short, but enjoyable scramble away



Last few steps



Mark takes in the view we came to see



Marvel Lake and Lake Gloria add tremendously to the view











Hazy view to the east







Heading down



 Owl Lake - definitely a body of water I'd love to visit someday



Back at the slabs



Back to traversing - at least it's downhill this time



Almost back at the col



Quick break at the col



Sometimes smoky skies clear during the day...and sometimes they get worse!



Back at the summit of Penny



Vertically tilted, crumbly shale



Mark descends it



Mount Byng is on the agenda for a future trip



Last view of Assiniboine and company



Looking back to Penny



Same as above



Aurora Lake and its surrounding mountains



Back at Aurora Lake



It's still gorgeous, even with the haze



Last break of the day before the easy hike back to the trailhead



At the swampy section again



  Water refill



Alcantara has many unnamed outliers to the northeast



The trailhead is a welcome sight at the end of a great trip that could be been stupendous!

The End

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