Smutwood Peak & Smut Pass

September 1, 2015 by Bill Rowe ·

Waterfall from Commonwealth Creek.

The trail along Commonwealth Creek

Wednesday August 19th 2015

Smutwood Peak is the unofficial name of a ridge and a peak overlooking Birdwood Lakes. The Birdwood Lakes are just below Smuts Pass. Smuts Pass is reached from the trail along Commonwealth Creek. The trail head is found by turning at the Mt Shark Road at Engadine lodge off the Smith Dorrien Hwy 742. Go over the bridge and first left into the parking area. Follow the old logging road passed the Tryst lake trail and keeping right at the ” y ” junction. The trail narrows and starts through trees to the waterfall. Winding through the trees until the open meadow of Commonwealth Creek. Now walking past the Mt Fist avalanche slopes with Mt Smuts ahead on the right. The trail takes a turn up between Mt Birdwood and Mt Smuts to the Smuts Pass. This is a very steep trail poorly constructed without any winding sections. This small section is a shame as it can put off a lot of hikers who would otherwise enjoy the beauty of the lakes. After this part the trail to the pass is a better grade. At the col the first view of Lower Birdwood Lake is seen. We followed the trail across to the left not losing any elevation on the way to the top of the next col overlooking into the Palliser Pass Trail Valley and Leman Lake. This is also the start of the ridge to Smutwood Peak on the right. As you gain elevation along the ridge views of the Upper and Lower Birdwood Lakes come into view. The alp type lands can be seen between Mt Birdwood and Snow Peak through to Burstall Pass. We added onto the trip by coming down to Upper Birdwood Lake and then continuing up the green ridge between the two lakes. Next down to the Lower lake and back to Smuts Pass col.