Home»All Photographs»2020 Hikes»Mt. Muir 10-07-20

Mt. Muir as a daytrip is a big one. I soloed this outing on a Wednesday when my gorgeous wife agreed to cover my shift at the restaurant.
I started out early on my mountain bike from Cat Creek Trailhead. A few kilometers later, I forded the Highwood River (barefoot), and hopped back on my steed. A short bit later, I passed a proud young bull moose that saw me long before I saw him - what an impressive beast.
Farther up the valley, I ditched my bike by a beaver pond and switched into hiking gear.
On a Wednesday in October following a river ford, you are likely alone here. And I was. It was delicious.
A few bear tracks prompted me to call out loudly so as not to surprise my Ursus neighbors. I ascended the steep headwall and refilled my water by a lovely reflective tarn.
I then hiked to Weary Creek Gap, and did a 90 degree turn left (SE), to head up the long, undulating ridge of Mt. Muir.
After a quick lunch, I suited up in some Gore-Tex for the wind, and continued on my merry way. Some easy scrambling followed, and some time later I was on the scenic summit of Mt. Muir. I took some time here to leaf through the summit register entries, and to spy (binoculars) my truck waaaaay in the distance next to the highway.
Once the chilly weather proved too much, I geared up for the descent. I trudged back along the ridge for 20 or 30 minutes or so, and decided to take an alternate descent.
I turned to my right and plunged down 400 vertical metres of grey pebble-scree - quickly! I just hoped not to get cliffed out, or I would have my work cut out for me. But the scree led friendily back to the top of the headwall that I was at four hours earlier. This route probably saved me about an hour or so.
Lower down, I passed by a nice beaver dam. I then found my bike where I had stashed it, and began the awesome, adrenaline-soaked ride out. Here, you can go as fast as you dare - the trail is smooth and pleasantly undulating - just be loud with the bike bell for bears and oncoming hikers!