Home»All Photographs»2020 Hikes»Lion & Lioness Peak 08-23-20

This was a big day - we hiked from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm. It was a good thing that the trailhead was right across the highway from the campground so no extra time for the commute was needed.
We started out for Resolute (Lion and Lioness Peak) early in the morning. An hour after starting out, we came across a healthy black bear. It noticed us and stood up on it's hind legs to get our scent, then continued to browse on buffaloberries in preparation for hibernation.
Farther up the valley, we crossed (cursed) some heinous avalanche debris, before reaching the very scenic upper valley. After first lunchsies, we reached the awesome Cline-Lion Col. The glacial scenery here took our breath away (pic #14).
Next, we focused on our ascent of Lion Peak. Some icy ledges led easily up the shoulder to the summit block. An easy traverse followed, and soon we were on top of the impressive Lion Peak. The sense of remoteness and accomplishment are hard to describe on this one - it's just a big physical day that needs ideal weather.
From here, we hiked the windy-as-hell ridge to Lioness Peak (my 250th summit in the Canadian Rockies). En-route to Lioness, I found an impressive trilobite fossil.
After second lunchsies, we walked back across the wind tunnel to Lion Peak, and then descended through a shortcut route past the gargoyles of the upper valley. Much awesome scenery followed, as did lunchsies #3. Then we hiked back through the heinous crappy avalanche gully. The fire-burnt forest followed, with many downed logs to navigate. Just as daylight was fading, we reached the highway and the campground - a quick birdbath followed and we ate much deserved bratwurst on buns with a side of broccoli.