Packer's Pass Peak

Skoki Lakes

 

 
October 7, 2022
 
Mountain height: 2595 m
Elevation gain:    approximately 1200 m
Round-trip time:  6:20
 
Solo scramble.
 

Dare I say, “This is one of best trips I’ve even done!”? Yes, I certainly do!

 
With a day off work (because I lost my voice) and a bigger objective planned for the following day, a relatively short trip was preferrable. After seeing Matt Hobbs Skoki Mountain trip report, I decided a trip to the reportedly scenic Skoki Lakes during larch season, but without ascending Skoki Mountain, would be a good compromise.
 
I biked the approach and then hiked into the Skoki area. Slightly hazy skies did little to detract from the wonderful scenery that make this part of the Rockies so amazing to see over and over again. Upon reaching Packer’s Pass, a quick run up its namesake peak was pretty much mandatory, requiring minimal elevation gain and effort.

 
After enjoying the excellent view from the summit for a few minutes, I started descending the northwest ridge of Packer’s Pass Peak towards the two Skoki Lakes (Zigadenus and Myosotis). This was a real treat, with interesting terrain and ever-improving views of the lakes, below the stegosaurus-like Wall of Jericho. The hype about the lakes seemed to be on point and I hadn’t even arrived at them yet.
 
Arrival and it took only a few glimpses of the upper Skoki Lake (Zigadenus) to determine my phone camera would be in overdrive for the next hour or two – a deep turquoise coloured lake, lined with yellow larches, back-dropped by beautiful peaks, reflecting many of them, and all under a clear blue sky – who could ask for anything more!

 
Given the perfect conditions I circumvented both lakes before trudging back up to Packer’s Pass and the easy return trip.
 
Absolutely fantastic! I hope to make many more visits to this magical area. 

At the entrance to where the magic begins



The Big Boulder near Boulder Pass and Ptarmigan Peak



The view to the east from Boulder Pass is a grand one



...especially on a calm day when many of the mountains are reflected in Ptarmigan Lake



...and the Sun is shining



Fossil Mountain



...and the sky is cloud-free



A helicopter was transporting supplies into the Skoki Lodge throughout the day



The southeast side of Ptarmigan Peak



First look at Zigadenus Lake and The Wall of Jericho



The east side of Ptarmigan keeps you entertained while ascending the super easy slopes of Packer's Pass Peak (PPP)



So does looking back to Redoubt Mountain



View to the north from the summit of PPP



The view to the east features Baker Lake



Fossil Mountain also lies to the east



Descending the northwest ridge of PPP



Good views of Fossil Mountain. Skoki and Cyclone mountains at the left.



The views of Ptarmigan, The Wall of Jericho and the two Skoki Lakes are going to be captivating for the entire descent to the lakes




Plus some other mountains on both sides



The east side of PPP is surprisingly steep



And the valley to the north is surprisingly larch-filled!







Due to its climbing challenges, very few will ever reach the summit of The Wall of Jericho



The Skoki Lodge is down there somewhere



Some huge boulders near the descent line



Close-up of the lakes and getting excited to see them up close



But still a ways to go



Closing in on the lakes and some cool lake reflections are already evident







One of the better reflections of Jericho in Myosotis Lake



Between checking out the lakes and the larch-filled valley I was getting neck strain!



The impressive northeast side of Ptarmigan Peak is nothing to sneeze at either







Myosotis Lake



Approaching Zigadenus Lake



Wading through the yellow larches is not at all a bad way to get to the lake



Neither is weaving in and out of the awesome boulders



Almost there



Zigadenus Lake



The hues and reflections in the lake were remarkable



..so I took a million photos! There's one.....



and two......



...and so on! At this point, circling the lake seemed like a good idea and it was. 



This randon chunk of rock was super-cool







So was Skoki Mountain and its reflection



And I can't say enough about the awe-inspring beauty of The Wall of Jericho



Fossil Mountain and PPP reflections



Zigadenus' outlet stream...



...that leads to this small waterfall



Heading to Myosotis Lake











Still mesmerized by The Wall



And the larches and Ptarmigan



The Wall reflection in Myosotis Lake


Nothing more to add in terms of captions for a bit


































Could the trail below Myosotis Lake be any more obvious?!















Heading around the west side of Myosotis














 
Had to check out the waterfall between Zigadenus and Myosotis from below



Last look at Myosotis



Last look at Zigadenus



Heading back up to Packer's Pass



Okay... one more look at Zig



Ptarmigan and Jericho look quite different later in the day



Over the pass and going down to the lake



PPP and Fossil (left) look different too



Heather Ridge, on the south side of Ptarmigan Lake, has an amazing, lake-filled panorama











Last compulsory round of lake reflections shots before descending back to the start











And The Big Boulder again



And, of course, a parting look at Richardson, Pika, and Ptarmigan

The End

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