Quadra Mt 3173 m
July 3rd Wednesday
A beautiful day for hiking temperatures in the low 20c not a cloud in the sky.
The trail for Panorama Rindge starts at the Moraine Lake parking lot. Although this was a Wednesday the lot was full by the time we arrived back at 4:30 pm. Take the trail to Consolation Lakes which is the Rock Pile trail on the left of the parking lot.
Sign for trail
Head up the rock steps and down over a small stream.
Going by the Rock Pile
It is then a simple hike up to the lakes through the trees. Parks Canada still has the mandatory four people in a group on all the trails from Moraine Lake due to bear activity. The path cuts out just short of the lakes for the Ridge.The river is in sight from the main trail at the cut off.The ridge is now in full view as is the large scree/boulder field that has to be scrambled over.
Panorama Ridge with the Gully in front.
The next obstacle is the fording of the Babel Creek. The creek was running high but the creek bed is very flat and as it is wide the current is not too strong. As we anticipated the crossing most of the group brought spare sandals. I tried out my wet suit booties and they worked a charm.
Crossing Babel Creek
Babel Creek crossing views down stream
Views from standing in the Creek up towards Quadra Mt
Once you have your boots back on it is a small bush wack through the trees to the foot of the rock gully. Don’t look at your GPS because you are looking at 1000 m straight up.
View up from the foot of the Gully
Not much to say but suck it up and start the slog up.All the group but one went to the left after the trees. We came back by the right route and it may have been easier.
Working our way up taking one step at a time.
The view of Mt Babel,Temple Quadra and Mt Fay intensify as you gain the height.
Mt Fay & Mt Quadra with Consolation Lakes
The rocks get bigger as you get closer to the ridge and they are not all solid to stand on.Even some bigger slabs moved and wobbled making for very slow progress.
Consolation lakes
When you do make the ridge it is still a huge pile of rocks and hard to pick your way through .The reward is the views as you can now see into the Bow Valley with Hwy #1 and Castle Mt and the Baker Creek Chalets below.
Views down the Bow Valley
Beautiful coloured Tarn from the summit
Mt Temple
Les sitting waiting at the first summit to the right appeared to be a little faster way up
After lunch we went up to the next summit which was 40 m higher. A bent mangled tripod sits at this point. That was enough for us you could go further but it does not look that interesting or higher.
Mt Babel just up from the Tower of Babel
The descent was no easier than the climb. Very hard going on the big rocks. A little bit of large scree then a large slippy section with lots of bum sitting and aching knees, all the way back to the creek. Once back over the creek all was forgotten and day was enjoyed by all
Distance return 7.5 km Time return 7 hrs ( inc 30 min lunch ) Elevation Accumulated gain 1040 m Elevation to Summit 830 m Summit height 2810 m
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