Home»All Photographs»2016 Hikes»Mt. Cautley 08-15-16

I was excited to continue my grand tour of the Mt. Assiniboine region on day 3. There are some unusual names of lakes in the area - there is Og, Gog and Magog. Peaks have funny names too - The Nub, Nublet and Niblet. Today was the day I would do the Cautley Traverse, and name my own peak - 'Wonley Peak' an unnamed mountain between Cautley and Wonder.
I ascended through meadows and larch forest behind the B.C. Parks Ranger Cabin (where I received some valuable route information from Liza - a knowledgeable Ranger).
I soon found myself approaching the site of a large rockslide that occurred on the morning of October 15th, 2015. I cautiously hiked up to the margin of the slide and then explored within, hoping to find fossils. I didn't see any fossils, but the black shale was interesting and the vertical wall of the upper margin was impressive. This event must have sounded like an earthquake that day.
I then hiked to the summit of Mt. Cautley for lunch. I continued along Cautley Ridge before spooking a group of five mountain goats (I saw fourteen altogether that day!).
Next, I hiked along the ridge to 'Wonley Peak'. I then descended to the vertical buttress of Wonder Peak where I noticed more goats far below on a narrow ledge. They progressed down 70 degree cracks in the cliff face - I thought they must surely be marching to their death! They deftly tiptoed down the face to a rest spot that was sure to be free of any predators. Very impressive skills.
I then scrambled up a steepish loose gully on the flanks of Wonder Peak. Narrow ledges continued, but I was alone and probably beyond my skill level there, so I backed off and descended to a hidden meadow north of Wonder Peak. Black shale lined small creek beds with abundant fushia wildflowers, creating a beautiful juxtaposition of colors and textures.
I ascended the northwest ridge of Wonder Peak, shortcutting my way to Wonder Pass Viewpoint.
Finally, I turned my attention to the trek back to camp and descended through a large stand of larch trees past Gog Lake - a scenic conclusion to a nine hour day.