Three Cairns
October 18, 2015
Mountain height: 2120 m
Elevation gain: 630 m
Roundtrip time: 4 hours
Solo scramble.
Mike Potter calls this objective Etherington-Baril Ridge and Gillean
Daffern has named it Three Cairns (because there are three cairns at the summit).
Regardless of its name, this is a very enjoyable shoulder season trip (or any season,
for that matter), featuring terrific views of the High Rock Range and some
pretty amazing rock scenery on the south ridge.
Wanting to get the most out of the trip I chose to follow Daffern’s
route that first visits the minor summit to the west of Three Cairns and then
goes east to the summit. The minor summit was mostly treed but did provide a
few open views to the west.
Getting to Three Cairns went without a hitch, the summit providing
excellent and open views of the entire area. The more than pleasant surprise of
the day came in the descent of the south ridge. A section of colourful, lichen-covered
rock stopped me dead in my tracks and was cause for many photos and some exploration.
An easy and thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Most of the south ridge of Three Cairns is visible from the parking lot
Early views of Baril Peak
Better views of Baril and Mount Etherington (far left)
The connecting ridge between Etherington and Baril looks interesting
So does this, but I'm not sure what mountain it is
Mount Bolton is easily recognizable
So is Mount Armstrong
Mist Mountain
Looking to the summit of Three Cairns from the west summit
View from near the summit of Three Cairns
Summit view to the west
Raspberry Ridge to the south
Coyote Hills is immediately north
View to the southwest
Heading down the terrific south ridge
A little rock to whet the appetite
Still enjoying the views of Baril
Some colourful rock to even further whet the appetite
The rock is getting better
Definitely one of the highlights of the ridge
The other highlight
Regrettably leaving this cool area
Looking back up to the south ridge
Looking back to Three Cairns
The End
