Hillcrest Mountain on a clear, late summer day
Hillcrest Mountain Hoping to find better weather south, we drove to Crowsnest Pass and set off for Hillcrest Mountain. We had no prior knowledge of the mountain but a study of the map of the area showed a promising route: we could hike up a 4x4 road a short way before leaving it to head up the south end of the mountain. Although we weren't, in fact, able to escape the bad weather, we did find our way to the summit. Hiking up the slope, there was no bushwhacking: a forest fire had swept the area and left bare trees standing. Just below the ridge, we scrambled easily up a cliff band. Otherwise the trip was a hike. Once on the ridge we plodded to the summit. Unfortunately clouds and falling snow obscured our views the entire trip. We saw little of nearby Turtle Mountain to the north or the Flathead Range to the West. Still, it was nice to venture in a different area when there is little new to climb so early in the season. |
Hillcrest Mountain on a clear, late summer day
Coming up the slope full of dead trees
Unnamed peak to the south
The rock band appears
We skirted right and below the rock band.
Following alongside the rock band
Scrambling up the rock band
Another view shows the valley below
Typical travel along the ridge to the summit...
...with a couple of snowy sections like this
Grouse in a tree
Flathead Range
Almost at the summit
Dinah checks the elevation on the summit with her GPS reciever
Turtle Mountain is hidden in cloud
On the descent, we made good time by using snow-covered slopes
82 G/9 Blairmore
