Summit Lake Ridge



Carthew Minor IV


    



 
June 19, 2021
 
Mountain heights: 2092 m, 2330 m
Elevation gain:      approximately 1100 m
Round-trip time:    6:45
 
Solo scramble.
 
Inspired by Sonny and Zosia’s winter ascent of this minor highpoint west of Summit Lake in Waterton, I set out to do the same, minus the snow. The bipolar weather forecast was cause for an objective that probably wouldn’t feature outstanding summit views, and the mainly treed summit of Summit Lake Ridge fit the bill.
 
In retrospect, perhaps low expectations are the way to go, because this turned out to be a fantastic trip with more than one pleasant surprise!
 
Surprise #1 appeared in the form of a beautiful stream I ended up following, after leaving the main trail. Numerous cascades and small waterfalls provided enough entertainment to keep my camera out more than holstered!

     
 
Surprise #2 was not really a surprise. The view from the shores of Summit Lake is always a rewarding one, especially on a clear day. I did not have exactly that, but even with some wispy clouds littering the skies, a fine view awaited there.


 
After circling the south side of the lake and crossing the outlet I started up the very easy slopes of the objective. Featuring a beautiful field of yellow glacier lilies, the odd outcrop of stunning rock, and terrific views into Montana, this section of travel was the highlight of the day – maybe Surprises 3 and 4!




      

 
I’ll call the summit view Surprise #4.5! Though trees did cover the summit, they were the burnt-out type, courtesy of the 2017 Kenow Fire, and with a little wandering, decent views were to be found.

 
 
Having only spent a few hours on the Summit Lake Ridge portion of the day, once back the lake, I decided to extend the trip in the direction of Mount Carthew. I didn’t really have a specific objective in mind – just see where the path takes me.
 
I eventually ended up on the false summit of Mount Carthew, to find Surprise #5. Clearly the weather was taking a turn for the worse, but it was also going to provide some ethereal views during that transition. Surrounded by swirling clouds, Mount Alderson quickly became the centre of attention.

      
 
Once the spectacle ended, I opted to go directly to my favourite of the Carthews – Carthew Minor. The “minor” highpoint offers some fun scrambling, a fantastic view, and super interesting terrain; Mount Carthew does not require any scrambling, and the terrain lacks significant interest – but the summit view is incredible!


 
By the time I reached the summit of Minor, the weather had completed that transition to completely overcast. Even so, views were rewarding and the colourful descent off Minor a visual feast.

    
 
Lots of great surprises that make this trip a great candidate for a repeat ascent on a perfect weather day. I’ll be back…probably!




Better weather than expected at Cameron Lake



Gaining elevation and getting decent views of Cameron Lake and Forum Peak. Also, a stream at the left to warm up the long exposure feature on my phone!


    
There it is



Leaving the trail to check out this stream


Long exposure madness for a bit






Okay...not that long!


    
Back to the madness


    
















Nearing the end of the spectacle



A tenacious snowbridge over the stream



Back on the Summit Lake Trail



Glance over to Carthew Minor



Last few steps to Summit Lake



At the lake



Chapman Peak and Mount Custer in Montana



Summit Lake Ridge at the right



The lake outlet on the south side. The objective in the centre.



Either the beavers in this neck of the woods have raised the level of uniform wood chopping to an unprecedented level or humans with a chainsaw have!



Carthew Minor reflected in the lake



The only significant snow of the day



Trees without leaves



Always interesting to see the melting snow patterns around trees



Here come Surprises 3 and 4



3 - the colourful rock



4 - glacier lilies and burnt trees



Same as above



Mounts Rowe and Blakiston



The field of lilies continues to the top



As does the odd red argillite sighting



Lichen covered rock



More lilies and the view into the U.S.



Took a minor detour to check out this section of rock, lilies, and the view of Chapman Peak



Same as above



Summit Lake now looking quite glarey!



My favourite scene of the day



Close-up of that sweet rock



The aliens have been here too



Custer from the summit



Remnants of the Kenow fire are always a source of fascination



Some wandering has provided a better view of Custer



Were it not for the fire, Cameron Lake would be virtually unseen from the top



More fascinating stuff



..and the better than expected views



Back at the lake to complete its circumnavigation



Bye bye Summit Lake



Hello Carthew Minor..  although at this point I didn't know I'd end up there



Same as above from further along the trail



A small sample of some of the cool rock that litters Carthew Minor



Same as above



Leaving Minor (right) behind for now



Statuesque Mounts Kintla and Kinnerly at the left, and not so statuesque Carthew Minor at the right



Boring photo, but I think I see someone at the top of Carthew Summit



Yep. Carthew Summit is just a highpoint on the south ridge of Mount Carthew, but it boasts an outstanding summit view.



Now on the connecting ridge between the false summit of Mount Carthew and Carthew Minor, featuring the colourful view of the Blakiston massif and others



View to the southwest



Bigger view



Same as above



Summit of Carthew at the left, false summit at the right



Mount Dungarvan seems to be surrounded by clouds on its north and easy sides



The snowy ridge at the left appears to be an option to extend the day



There's a lake down there



Looking down the precipitous north side



Heading to the false summit



View back down the ridge



Lake Wurdeman sits nicely below Chapman Peak



There's Carthew Summit, just right of centre. Mount Cleveland in the background.



This would be such a wonderfully colourful view on a completely clear day



Another of my favourite scenes of the day



With more



More to the other side



Looks like there is a person on the summit of Mount Carthew



Yes there is!



The clouds are now creeping over Ruby Ridge



View from the false summit



Time for Surprise #5



Better view with some of the Carthew Lakes near the left



Send in the Clouds!



Mount Alderson
(right of centre) is slowly disappearing



Cloudy to the southwest also, but high clouds only



Clouds to the left of Alderson



Clouds to the right of Alderson



Clouds consume Alderson



Still a terrific view, even with the clouds



Heading down the ridge towards Carthew Minor



The ridge offers many scenic viewpoints and hidden treasures



In a scrambler's world, that rock is a treasure (perhaps my world more so than others!)



I lied about the snow earlier. There's quite a bit near the col.



The famous Carthew/Alderson trail is down there somewhere



Big snow bank and Carthew Minor



Same with Carthew's false summit



The start of some intense red argillite magic







Traversing below the steep stuff



Heading up to a small col that is the key to the ascent of Minor



View through the other side at the col



One of the coolest features of Minor



Same as above



Looking back to the connecting ridge



Summit view #1



View #2. Only a sliver of Cameron Lake is visible from much higher Mount Carthew.



Cameron Lake is not entirely visible, but some of it is better than nothing



More fire destruction



Same as above



Better views of Cameron Lake while descending Minor



Summit and Wurdeman lakes again



Cool pinnacle



And views that are begging for clear skies




Obviously there is no shortage of red argillite on Minor



Same as above



Other side of the pinnacle



That rock looks like it wants to eat something!



Running into another field of glacier lilies is a fitting way to end the trip

The End

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