Labour Day Weekend in Vancouver and Whistler

For Labor Day (or Labour Day, as it is called in Canada), we took a second annual trip north to Vancouver, British Columbia to check out the famous ski area, Whistler, and the alpine summer hiking that can be accessed from the resort chair lifts. Taking the gondola from the base ski area, it saved our legs the ~4000 feet ascent, putting us at treeline for the start of the hike. We thought it would be a flat-lined and easy hike from here, but we were in for a humbling surprise. The remaining 16 miles were a near constant roller coaster of elevation and emotions as we trudged up and over mountain flanks to see a tiny scribble of the trail proceeding up and over the next distant peak. Each time, I thought to myself that the connecting trail we could see must be a mountaineering path that splintered off to reach the mountain summit. I was sadly mistaken as an hour later I found myself looking back to the former location from the once distance neighboring mountain flank.

The trails, dubbed maliciously as a combination of "The Musical Bumps" and "High Note," were rated as some of the most scenic in the Western British Columbia region. However, 2016 was the year summer forgot the Pacific Northwest, leaving us shrouded in a low cloud layer and inconsistent mizzle and mist. Fortunately, a fast-moving, low-lying cloud layer is a photographer's delight as they somehow manage to give mountains an even mightier pose and enhanced mysteriousness.

Ride up in the Whistler Express gondola

Craig trudging up Pika's Traverse trail at the start of the trip

Blanketed in a cloud

Although we couldn't see the eye-popping peaks around us, the clouds made for pretty dramatic photos

Mini rock man on the trail.

More clouds as we make our way down the first of 3 Musical "Bumps" (Piccolo, Flute, and Oboe).

Loving life at treeline

Marching our way of peak 3 of the "bumps." I believe this was Oboe. 

We've finally almost arrived at our camp site for the night at the base of Mt. Fissle.

When we planned the trip, we had a dream of staying in an established wood hut that holds up to 12 campers. I imagined with the bad weather might have to share the space with, at most, 3 people. Again, the story I told myself and the reality of the trip diverged when we rounded the last corner to see a slew of humans buzzing around the hut like a beehive and about 10 other tents already established in prime spots nearby. I'm very thankful that we brought our tent as a backup plan. 

The evening got cold FAST and after setting up the tent, we spent nearly the entire night inside drinking whiskey and reading National Geographic.

Looking out of the tent at the adorable mountain hut. 

Due to the cold, we spent the evening in the tent until the setting sun and low clouds put on an irresistible show.

Sunset on the camps.

 Sunset on Mt. Fissle with out tent in the front left.

Did I mention it was cold? I went into full caterpillar mode.

The following morning, the clouds parted for several minutes to reveal the peaks around us. The brief vista was quickly obscured as we watched the next round of thick, low layers gracefully spill over the ridge face.

 How cute is this hut?! It belongs in the Swiss Alps!

We were also briefly treated to a glimpse of this MASSIVE GLACIER! This is Cheakamus Glacier and she's a beaut!

Photos don't do Cheakamus Glacier any justice in telling the story of just how wide it is!

So many beautiful shades of green and blue.

On the home stretch to return to the gondola for a relaxing sub-alpine ride down the mountain. I love the contrast between the red and gray of the peak in the background. 

 

The second to last climb before the gondola is the wall in front of us.  

While I felt the description and other reviews of the trail were misleading regarding just how continuously steep this trail is and I was bummed that we didn't get the full effect of wowing peaks (seriously guys, Google the magnificent views this place boasts when it's cloud-free), I really enjoyed the experience we had. The low, swirling clouds, although effective in reducing our visibility to 50 feet in some instances, also gave us the equally beautiful nebulous and mystical perspective and reminded me that it's the dynamic aspect of mountain environments that draws me to these places. 

We made it! On the gondola and back on to Vancouver.

The remainder of the weekend was filled with city relaxing in our fancy-pants hotel (which is especially appreciated after a few days in the mountains), ramen, and the musical 'The Book of Mormon.' Labour Day success!

Outside of Japan, Vancouver is the place to be for ramen! 

So good!

The Book of Mormon

View from our hotel room

Backpacking at Lake of Angels

After several attempts to schedule a backbacking trip with one of our best pals, Chris, we finally found a weekend that worked!  Since he usually travels down to Seattle or the Cascades to adventure with us, we decided to play in his backyard this time around--the Olympic Mountains. Specifically, our eyes were set on the Lake of Angels, a destination that came highly recommended by friends and online hiking posts, via the Putvin Trail.

All of the group except for Karen (who would catch up with us later that night), met in the parking lot, packed up our gear, and headed up the mountain. The Putvin Trail, first laid out by climbers is short (4 miles each way), but brutally steep (3400 ft elevation gain) with little consideration for the easiest route for your legs. There were a couple of exposed stretches where scrambling and use of hands was required. Although a vertical and incredibly hot (like even your shins are sweating kind of hot) hike, I found it to be a fun and challenging evening. The plan was to only go a couple of miles in before setting up camp for the night, but we had to climb about 3.5 miles before finding somewhere flat enough for our tents. Because we got a late start, most of the climb in was also completed in the dark. Fortunately, we had a pretty good amount of moonlight, which created a beautiful effect on the overlapping mountain ridges around us. 

The boys of the group ready to set out!(Pablo, Chris, Craig)

Craig in his usual camouflage

The next morning, we continued the hike up the remaining steep trail to lake basin. The wildflowers were in full bloom for this portion of the hike, surrounding us with flecks of yellows, oranges, and purples .

So this is what it looks like in daylight. Not a bad place to camp for the first night.

Completing the morning ascent to Lake of Angels.

The final push...our crew are the tiny dots of non-green to the left

A sea of beargrass.

We reach the Lake of Angels basin!

Even at high elevations in the coastal range mountains, the temperatures were soaring. The lake, in addition to providing a reliable drinking water source, provided an oasis for swimming that made the trip much more enjoyable.  

Within minutes of arriving at the lake, we were greeted by a pack of mountain goats that were obviously accustomed to human traffic. The whole time we were there, they did laps around the lake, waiting for us to leave so they could raid our goods.

Chris finding sunken treasures in the lake.

 Mountain goats coming out to play...

Chris fishing, but keeping one eye on the mountain goat... 

Escaping the heat

Mountain goat babies! 

They're so cute as babies!

In addition to the mountain goats, we were welcomed by one of my favorite animals, the marmot! This one in particular had a very light blonde coating and sounded the alarm when the goats would get too close to his territory. What a loud whistle they have!

A blonde marmot sounding the alarm warning of intruders!

After swimming, some of us continued up the mountain toward the peak of Mt. Stone. Getting there proved to be a challenge with lots of scrambling involved. Due to the difficulty and time spent trying to reach the peak, most of us only made it to an un-named summit, which we affectionately declared Mt. Destroyer, just below Mt. Stone. Pablo, determined to not stop here, continued on to the Mt. Stone, while we sat watching under the only shade we could find. 

The views even from 'Mt. Destroyer' were fantastic. We could see several snow-capped peaks in the heart of the Olympics and many other summits beckoning for a visit.

Chris scaling a knife edge on the way to Mt. Destroyer and Mt. Stone.

Looking down at our camp site and Lake of Angels

Looking toward more of the Olympic Mountain peaks...some still with snow!

Selfie with the Olympic Mountains

Chris working an over the shoulder pose.

We watch as Pablo demonstrates how to quickly dominate Mt. Stone  (highest summit in the middle).

Lots of scree.

That evening we again found ourselves drawn the lake's waters and shoreline, swimming and trout fishing. When the sun began to sink below the mountain cirque, we climbed over a neighboring ridge to look down at the lights of Tacoma before retiring to our tents for the night.

Like the marmot, I sound the alarm that an intruder is in the perimeter.

Enjoying the sunset looking toward the city lights of Tacoma

While we had originally planned to squeeze in another summit the following morning, tired legs and storm clouds governed our decision to head back down the mountain early. Another weekend of mountains, wildlife, and good friends in the books. Success!

Mama and baby

Morning clouds and thunder roll in.

The group with our goat-fur flag.

Hiking down a hillside full of wildflowers

 

 Making our way down the very steep trail.