Wild Flowers on avalanche slopes at Birdwood Pass traverse.
July 29th Friday 2016.
Smuts Pass to Birdwood Pass and onto Burstall Pass. The description for the start of this trail is described in this link. https://willski.ca/smutwood-peak-smut-pass/ The Burstall finish is describe in this link. https://willski.ca/burstall-pass-to-south-burstall-pass/ .That just leaves the middle section. From Smuts Pass overlooking Birdwood Lakes turn left and head towards the trees looking for a thin trail to lead through the trees and down a sharp drop into avalanche slopes ladened with wild flowers. The view ahead over the open waste lands of stream’s, rock slabs and scree. The Birdwood Pass can be seen. The route goes through on the right hand side of Snow Peak. At the Birdwood Pass a large patch of lingering snow makes for an easy descent. Views now appear of Burstall Trail and Burstall lakes. The next section can be a bit tricky if another patch of snow creeps down from Snow Peak. As it is very steep the option of boot kicking a trail is zero so a detour on the rocks is needed with a bit of hands on scrambling. This is a very short section and should not put you off from doing this hike. After the rocks it is a nice trek down to Burstall Pass with good views of Leman Lake and the familiar view of Snow Peak. Enjoy the views of Whispering Ridge and Mt Sir Douglas and it’s two glaciers before heading back to Burstall Parking 5.5km away where your planted second car awaits.
Lower Birdwood Lake
At the upper top of Smuts Pass. Snow Peak left
Looking across at Birdwood Pass with Mt Sir Douglas Snow Peak right
Dropping down to the avalanche slopes of Birdwood Pass.
Looking across to Birdwood Pass
Looking back at Smuts Col. Trail can be seen bottom right.
Snow Peak and Assiniboine beyond
Mt Birdwood at Birdwood Pass
On a big snow patch looking at Mt Sir Douglas
Looking back at Birdwood Pass
Burstall Creek and lakes
Cutting across to Burstall Pass under Snow Peak. Snow still in the way July 29th
The route through from Birdwood Pass. Taken from lower down the Burstall Trail
Distance return 20.2 km Time return 8 hrs ( inc 30 min lunch ) Elevation Accumulated gain 925 m Elevation to Summit 580 m Summit height 2459 m
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