Weekend Photos: More from Skoki (Fall in the Candadian Rockies)

Last weekend I shared photos from the hike in to Skoki Lodge and one of our outings from that base. Today we'll finish off my fall trip to the Canadian Rockies with some amazing peak-top views and the rather wintery hike out.

On our second full day at the lodge, the weather was iffy at best, and only two of the three of us were crazy enough to head out for our planned hike up Skoki Mountain. At about two and a half miles round trip and a 1600' climb, it's not a huge undertaking, though a bit steep (you can make it even steeper by taking the "scree trail" which goes pretty much right up the side of the mountain, but we took the longer route). 

We lounged around for a bit after breakfast, but there appeared to be some clearing around 9:45, so Tom and I headed up through the trees.

About the time we hit treeline, the snow resumed. Still, visibility wasn't zero, and Tom's weather app said we'd get clearing about eleven, so on we went.

If you look closely you can see the snowflakes.

As we continued up onto the talus slope, snow accumulating on the rocks made me want to pay extra attention to my feet. Eventually I realized that the whole mountain was a pile of fossils, mostly coral as far as I could tell.

Fossil corals.

Pretty nearly on schedule, by a little after 11 we began to see significant clearing. The snow mostly stopped, though the wind definitely did not--it was strong and painfully cold.

Naturally, as soon as it cleared a little we stopped and started taking photos, lest the opening be brief. The left-hand valley is the one we came down from Packer Pass; under the mist on the right is Merlin Lake (see last week's post).

Tom, shooting the landscape. For his fantastic photos, visit Photoseek.com

To my amazement (and undeniable relief, having invested a fair amount of effort into getting up there), the clearing continued. On the summit we were able to find a nook sheltered enough for a snack and enjoyed ourselves for a while.

Tom shot this photo of me with Packer Pass and Zigadenus and Myosotis lakes in the background. At this point I'm wearing pretty much everything I brought to the lodge, with temps below freezing and the wind blowing.

Red Deer Lakes nestled below Pipestone Mountain.

The summit provided us with 360-degree views.

Pano of east and south view from the summit.

More photo ops on the way down.

It was nice to be able to see the route as we descended--we'd climbed blind.

About the time we reached the lodge it began to snow again, though the flurries didn't last. After finishing my lunch, since the morning hike was less than three miles, I took a stroll down the creek, which drops through a surprisingly dramatic canyon just below the lodge.

The overcast afternoon made it possible to play with slow shutter speeds and get smooth-water photos.

Leaf-speckled mushrooms.

After another fantastic dinner we retired, wondering just what the hike out would look like... snow was forecast, and already falling. 

The lounging area of the lodge, a cozy space to hang out but a little dim for reading--I had to sit by the window or use a headlamp, even during daylight hours.

In the morning, to my mingled relief and disappointment, we found that at our elevation, any snow that fell had likewise melted off. Still, we had a long hike and conditions weren't promising to get any better, so after one last killer meal (the breakfasts lived up to the dinners, though this old backpacker kind of missed my oatmeal and fruit) we loaded up our packs and headed out. 

One last Skoki sunrise.

 

Having come in over Packer Pass, we chose to exit via Deception Pass, avoiding  the scrambley bits. We were the only party of the half-dozen leaving that morning to take that route, I think--most others, having come in by Deception, were determined to see Packer, or else were taking the much longer route around the back side of Fossil Mountain (I admit to being sorely tempted to invite myself along with that party).

Climbing towards Deception Pass.

Myosotis and Zigadenus Lakes beneath Pika Peak and the Wall of Jericho.

Crossing over the pass. All morning there were patches of sunlight; in this case we could see the spotlight streak all the way down.

The wind had free range over the pass, and it hurt. I couldn't keep my hood on as the wind constantly blew it back.

We are either intrepid Arctic explorers, or real wimps. Not sure which.

The trail dropped to Ptarmigan Lake and Redoubt Mountain, offering very little shelter from the wind. We found some trees to huddle behind and eat first lunch before leaving the lake.

Looking across to the Lake Louise area again.

We good time, and reached the road end two hours before the shuttle would come for pickup. Feet and legs weren't wild about walking another 2.7 miles downhill, but finished before the shuttle went up the hill, so it was worth it. None of us wanted to hang around for two hours in the cold and wind. 

The hike day's hike totaled up to just over 9 miles, with almost 1000' of climbing, and over 2400' of drop. That night we ate random soups and canned goods in a motel in Golden, and remembered the wonderful meals at the Skoki Lodge.

Unbelievably, my fall adventures weren't over--stay tuned for a trip to the Grand Canyon!

 ©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.


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