I set my sights on Vantage Peak in the Cerise Creek area. According to the Matt Gunn 'Scrambles' book it is a fairly easy hike that provides beautiful views of the Joffre Group and their majestic glaciers. I decided that the only way I was spending a night alone in the backcountry was in some kind of a structure, so I picked Keith's Hut as my accommodation. This hut is literally JAM PACKED all winter long, but in the summer spends many nights empty.
I left Lillooet later in the afternoon because of work and chores and drove to the parking spot on the side of the Duffy Lake road. It had a number of vehicles so I wondered if I really would be spending the night alone. Meeting like-minded people always excites me so I didn't get worried that there would be others in the cabin. In fact I secretly hoped there was...
Beans and I started hiking at 1630. We walked the well booted and occasionally signed trail like we had a couple times before. I made sure to yell "HEY BEAR!" loudly around every corner to let all the animals know what was up. I ran into a few families with younger kids hiking. This made me happy to see children out exploring like they should be. I dodged a few wasp nests and luckily escaped without a sting. Beans was not so fortunate.
For most of the night I was awoken on and off by a rather loud mouse ruffling around. At one point I thought I saw a light outside, but no one ever came to the hut. I woke up the next day at sunrise and watched the sun hit the Anniversary Glacier just outside the window. I laid warm in my sleeping bag and decided that I deserved more sleep on account of my noisy mouse roommate.
I dragged myself out of bed and slowly began prepping for the day at 0700. I wondered when I might see another person. Secretly again hoping someone would come walk by the cabin at any time. I took my time and sipped two cups of coffee while I read my book. Konrad Kain 'Where the Clouds Can Go,' I highly recommend it to anyone interested in tails of adventure and BC mountaineering history.
When I could think of no further reason to stall I left the security of the cabin at 0850, again loudly asserting my presence by yelling "HEY BEAR." I headed down to the moraine and then up to Vantage Col. It was a beautiful hike through boulder fields, streams, and alpine meadows. Along the way I saw three pikas. Now if you haven't seen one you need to stop and google it right now! They are the most adorable wild hamster/chinchilla creature that lives in boulder fields. They let out a loud cherp that sounds like a small bird, so cute. I also saw a large marmot that gave me a fright before I realized what it was.
The weather was slightly unsettled and I slowly trod toward my goal. I could see the summit of Vantage almost the whole hike looming above. When I reached the Vantage col beauty unfolded beneath me. To the right was the impressive Twin One Glacier littered with deep blue crevasses. To my left was a valley leading down to the glowing green Twin One Lake. It looked so inviting! I must camp there some time! I headed left along the ridge toward Vantage Peak. At first there was a bit of a trail with flagging here and there if I concentrated hard to stay on track. The trail started out weaving through small bluffs, but was never more then a slight scramble. The dog made it up without any assist. Eventually the trail kept right and petered off. From here I eyed the GPS and discover the summit was directly above. The dog and I scrambled our way along and eventually popped out on the summit at 1050. The wind was blowing and so we didn't stay long. The weather was looking more uninviting as time passed. I could see Mount Duke, Mount Caspar, and Snowspider Mountain to name a few. We had a snack and I snapped some pictures before making a break back for the hut. |
I headed left along the ridge toward Vantage Peak. At first there was a bit of a trail with flagging here and there if I concentrated hard to stay on track. The trail started out weaving through small bluffs, but was never more then a slight scramble. The dog made it up without any assist. Eventually the trail kept right and petered off. From here I eyed the GPS and discover the summit was directly above. The dog and I scrambled our way along and eventually popped out on the summit at 1050. The wind was blowing and so we didn't stay long. The weather was looking more uninviting as time passed. I could see Mount Duke, Mount Caspar, and Snowspider Mountain to name a few. We had a snack and I snapped some pictures before making a break back for the hut.
The hike back to the cabin was uneventful. I took in the scenery and cursed myself for doing leg day the day previous. My legs were feeling tired and this hike wasn't even that strenuous. I could see Mount Rohr and Mount Marriot off in the distance as I worked my way down. I arrived back at the cabin at 1230 and sat down for some lunch and more hot coffee. I was still in shock that I had not seen a soul and there was no evidence that anyone came to the cabin in my absence. I thought for sure I would see some people on the Cerise Creek Trail.
I packed my bags and started walking back around 1315. Beans and I successfully dodged all the wasp nests and I took to singing the Tragically Hip loudly to warn animals of my presence. We heard a few pikas here and there, but again never saw a single person. When we emerge back on the highway it was 1500 and there were still two of the vehicles from the day previous there... I wondered where the heck they must be? Somewhere out in the wild.
With the easiest mountain in the area taken down now I have some of the more advanced scrambles/climbs like Mount Joffre and Mount Matier. Mount Duke also hides just behind Vantage. I may also return and do a traverse from Cerise Creek, to Twin One Lake, and out via Snowspider. Until next time, cheers to keeping it wild!