Mon, Jul 24 2023 - Smuts Pass & Birdwood Lakes viewpoint (View Original Event Details)
| Event Coordinator(s): |  |
Susan Ch
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| Participants: | | Susan Ch, Amy K, Brenda Kasianiuk, Shannon S, Monica Hirai, Shannon S |
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Write Up:It was way less hot in the mountains yesterday than in the city where
it was a record breaking 34C!
The temperature was lovely for hiking in the morning although it did
get hot at times on our return trip as we descended back into the
valley. We also had a lovely breeze for much of our hike, and very
strong wind gusts at the pass which made us descend down to the lakes
where we found a lovely rocky outcrop for lunch, and were entertained
by a ptarmigan family.
Saw some very recent bear diggings before we started climbing the
switchbacks to the pass but no sign of Yogi. Saw anemones just
peeking though the ground then a little further up already changed to
'hippies on sticks'. Also a lone glacier lily close to some snow.
The views were amazing - the top of Smuts Pass in all directions, from
the turnoff to the Birdwood Traverse towards Snow Peak (Burstall Pass
trail is on the other side) and of course, both Birdwood Lakes dwarfed
by Mount Smuts.
It was a long but very rewarding day - stats were 17km, 730m of
elevation gain over 7 hours of which 5 1/4hrs was actual moving time.
