Table Mountain IV

Table Mountain IV

April 13, 2024

Mountain height: 2225 m
Elevation gain: 740 m
Ascent time: 3:50
Descent time: 3:15

Solo scramble.

I was hoping for a repeat of the awesome trip Mark and I completed in 2017 up Table Mountain and Table Top Peak. Due to snowy conditions the plan didn’t quite pan out.

However, the trip was still a resounding success, featuring scenery stunning throughout.

Initially I planned to stick to the hiking trail up Table Mountain, but of course, I was soon distracted by some cool looking rock off to the left. I abandoned the trail and then took a steep, long, circuitous, and wonderfully scenic route up to the ridge above.

Following a previous hiker’s footprints in the snow made easy work of the first section of hiking towards the summit, but those footprints soon came to an abrupt end.

Continuing on was not terribly difficult, as it was still relatively early in the day and the snow was firm. However, it was likely the day’s heat would change those conditions in short order. I decided against trying Table Top Peak at this point. Even using snowshoes, the traverse would have involved solo trail-breaking throughout, probably in deteriorating snow conditions – better to take my time and enjoy Table Mountain.

Shortly after, I was surprised to run into another set of footprints, but they were not human. A bear had been wandering around the small col near Table’s summit, probably not more than 24 hours earlier. The summit was reached with ease and after a little exploration, checking out alternate routes for future trips, I started down.

For descent, I chose to follow the route Linda Breton and I had ascended in 2005. Mark and I had used this route for descent in 2017 and it had proven to provide more scenic interest than the hiking trail. The 2024 version was no exception, and in fact exceeded both previous trips, courtesy of a stunning wall of ice in the descent drainage.

A more than rewarding fourth run up this gem of a mountain.

The end of a southwestern outlier of Table Mountain is the first peak you see

Approaching the drainage I descended

Though tempting to use this as an ascent route, I wanted the Sun to be in the western skies - turned out to be a very good decision.

The aforementioned outlier - part of my second trip up Table Top Peak

The first of many distractions and route changes. I left the trail here, heading for the rock band above.

Some pleasant and easy scrambling to get to the band

Here we go - amazing, colourful rock bands galore for the next several hours!

Let's start with classic orange lichen on red argillite

Throw in that outlier at the left

Tried this route

But hit a dead end. At least I got to see some yellow lichen on gray gabbro.

Not scrambling up that

Back onto easier terrain, but that didn't last long

Didn't go up this, but had to detour to see it up close

Closer

Really close

That detour led to this one

Lone dead trees are another cool feature of Table Mountain

Another

One of the cooler ones

Same as above from a different angle

Couldn't scramble up this either but found a neat route around it on the left side

The snow provided an easy route up to the ridge

Finally above the lower rock bands and looking at what I call the Western Plateau of Table at the right

The three summits of Syncline Mountain

Mount Darrah (right) and some of its outliers

Not a lone tree, but certainly a distinctive one

Same as above

"THE TREE"! This beaut is the feature tree on the mountain and is always a treat to see.

Not the feature tree and the Western Plateau

Looking over to Table's false summit

The shades of orange, yellow, and red are a highlight of the upper section of the mountain

But the rock band that lines the Western Plateau reigns supreme

Checking out the right side of the band and saving the left for descent

Time to gain the ridge

The start of the magnificent hike along the edge of Table's north side

The route ahead. Summit at the left.

Beaver Mines Lake in its entirety makes a grand appearance

A few minor ups and downs along the way only provide more cool views

Definitely steering clear of that

The entire Flathead Range is on full display

The snow at the false summit is deep but still supportive

Windsor Mountain and Castle Peak

Larry Mountain and Frankie Peak

Mount Gladstone

Bear paw print

The easy trek to the summit

Decided to check out a potential ascent route up the west ridge before going to the summit

Lots of colourful rock down this way

At the summit looking south

The terrain to the north, directly below the summit - an area I'd like to explore one day

View to the north

Back to the Western Plateau

Looking down the weakness in the rock band that lines the plateau

Some of the most beautiful rock on the mountain resides here

Looking back up the weakness

Distinctive layers

Following the northern edge down

The view to the west continues to impress

More fascinating rock

Continued travel in this direction would lead to a freefall!

The spectacular Western Plateau

Same as above with Beaver Mines Lake

Can't look away from that rock band!

A few more tree encounters

In the descent drainage, looking up at the rock on the other side

The rock on my side

Didn't expect to see this and that's only half of it

Momentarily distracted by yellow lichen

Back to the frozen waterfall

More of it

It's melting fast

Definitely the highlight of the day

The right side

The whole thing

Regrettable leaving and walking backwards!

The frozen waterfalls disappear but there's still lots to enjoy

The other side again

Both sides

Wasn't expecting any long exposure photos on this trip either

The route I took down the outlier in 2018

Return of the Red Argillite

Plodding down the snow made for a fun and easy descent once the grade eased up

Parting look at Table and its outlier

The End

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