Ochre Springs Peak

Looking back at the bushwacking as we break out into the shale

July 12th 2023

Ochre Springs Peak in Kootnay National Park . A walk through the Paint Pots starts off this challenging scramble. Walk along the backback trail to Ottertail Pass / Helmet Falls for about 2km. Ochre peak can be seen now. Large wide avalanche path is the route forward. No trail,bushwhack up to your waist in alders, soaking wet in a couple of minutes. Maybe try the creek you end up in it anyway. The route does not relent until the summit. Oh it does get worse in the shale and scree. Steeper as well. This scramble is a ” I will never do this one again ” I went a bit to the left and did OK some went more centre. On the descent we found decent scree far right going down. I have never been on a scramble when only four of us made the summit out of ten. The summit views made up for the gut wrenching grind to the top. Three of the highest mountains in the area Goodsirs ,Temple and Assiniboine. See the mountains of Morraine Lake. Helmet Falls and The Rockwall and many many more.

Crossing the Vermilion River to the Paint Pots
Paint Pots
Walking past the colourfull paint Pots
In the Alder bushes trying to find a route through.
Everyone was soaking wet from the morning dew
water flows inder the snow bridge
letting everyone catch up
Typical terrian to the summit. No route and very loose
The spec below is Gus. Everyone has their own pace
Summit on left.Shale and more loose shale .Steep as well. Richard above me
Summit on left.Shale and more loose shale .Steep as well. Richard above me
2 Here come Ron S .Taken from summt. Vermilion Peak behind
2 Here come Ron S .Taken from summt. Vermilion Peak behind
Chimper with Whymper and Boom behind
Chimper with Whymper and Boom behind
Vermillion Stanley and Storm Mt
Vermillion Stanley and Storm Mt
Rto L Chimney Peak Quadra Bidet behind Fay
R to L Chimney Peak Quadra Bidet behind Fay
5 R to L Quadra fay the mountains of the valley of the Ten peaks with
5 R to L Quadra fay the mountains of the valley of the Ten peaks with Temple behind
6 Ottertail pass,Goodsirs left
The Rockwall. Helmet Falls far right
The Rockwall. Helmet Falls far right
Tumbling Mt
Tumbling Mt
Richard and Ron make the summit
Richard and Ron make the summit
Ron celerbrating with the Firewater
Ron celerbrating with the Firewater

https://willski.ca/trailheads/OchreSpringPeak.gpx

https://willski.ca/kml/OchreSpringPeak.kml