Home»All Photographs»2015 Hikes»Honeymoon Pass 07-04-15

Holy wildflowers! The trail to Honeymoon Pass in Kootenay National Park is not often traveled, judging by the narrow, overgrown trail. But the area is regenerating from a major forest fire in 2003. The charred snags left of the old forest now allow much sunlight to reach the ground, and a profusion of wildflowers can be seen.
I briefly met and chatted with a parks warden named Don who was also hiking alone. Two other groups hiked a short way in (I could see the parking area from the summit), but soon turned back. This trail is not for everybody, but I find the burnt snags, the lush vegetation, the rough track of a trail and the solitude all combine to make an unusual but very enjoyable hiking experience. I would return again without much convincing.
Once at the pass, Don caught up to me and headed down into the Verdant Creek trail for the wardens cabin. I wanted to extend my day, so I headed south up a steep avalanche slope toward Hawk Ridge. This was a lovely little ridge with short terraces alternating with short steep-ish sections. Once the ridge started rearing up, I looked to the west side for an easier line. Sure enough, there was a fine route to the top up a gully filled with fine gravel. The entire route from Honeymoon Pass had no sign of previous travellers, although I'm sure that's not the case. I built a little summit cairn, set up my Canadian flag (being the closest Super Saturday to July 1) and took in the awesome views for over an hour.