Yarrow Ridge exploration
March 20, 2022
Solo scramble.
The morning of the 20th appeared to be a
repeat of the previous day’s weather – that is, socked in everywhere except for
the peaks of the front ranges. Simply yearning to get some exercise, I set out to
repeat my favourite route up Yarrow Ridge.
However, as I neared the ascent gully, I
remembered that there were several other areas of interesting rock on the south
side of Yarrow that had caught my attention on previous trips to the area. As
such, I descended to the main trail and hiked easily around the mountain to a
point where those areas were visible. A steep snow gully came all the way down
to the valley bottom and so it was a crampons and ice axe ascent from here on.
The ascent was awesome – some challenging
(but not scary) terrain and so many opportunities to explore the numerous areas of
colourful rock. Above the interesting rock, I decided to forgo a complete
ascent of Yarrow Ridge in favour of more exploration. The “almost famous” red
argillite rock band southwest of one of the Yarrow summits was bathing in
Sunlight and I couldn’t resist another look. As well, I had passed yet another
very interesting rock band on approach and was thinking I could swing around
the peak and check out that rock.
The red argillite band was expectedly magnificent,
but by the time I arrived near the other point of interest, the clear skies
were leaving and they took my motivation with them. Instead, I took a more
direct line back to the hiking trail and then out to the parking lot.
Another thoroughly satisfying half-day in the
colourful Castle.
At the very familiar trailhead. Yarrow Ridge at the right. Mount Dungarvan at the left and Cloudy Ridge Junior just left of centre.
A beautiful Spring morning in The Castle
Passing by the main bulk of Yarrow Ridge
Yarrow has many strikingly colourful rock bands on its southeast side
Looking back to one of the cooler rock bands
Another cool area of stunning rock
Cloudy Junior again
Passing the route I originally intended to use
Passing the other sets of rock bands I wanted to explore but opted out at the end of the day
Close-up
Same as above
Back down to the Yarrow Creek valley. Cloudowan and Glendowan on the edge of the cloud front.
Mount Yarrow
The area I set out to explore
Fire
Remnants of a dead thing
Heading up towards the rock band in the centre
Typical terrain on the lower slopes
Cloudy to the west
Getting to the good stuff
The goal here was to traverse left, over to the prominent rock band
But not before checking out everything to the right
A short section of more challenging terrain. I stuck to the rock at the left.
Still exploring around the right side
Finally heading over to the rock band
Of course there are many distractions along the way
At the rock band
Definitely worth exploring
Mandatory twisted, dead tree shot
Above the rock band lies much easier and less interesting terrain
Mount Yarrow again
Cloudowan, Glendowan, and Newman Senior
Approaching the magnificent rock band of red argillite
Here we go!
Done with the argillite. The summit of Yarrow Ridge just left of centre.
The northeast side of many ridges still feature amazing sections of wind-sculpted snow
Enjoying the view and deciding what to do
Huge cairn at the end of the ridge
More snowy magic
Descending
The southeast side of the peak also features tons of interesting rock
Definitely needed crampons and and an axe for the hard snow here
Back at the trailhead looking over to Raptor Peak, The Eaglet, and Spread Eagle Mountain
The End
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