Fossil Mountain - Lake Louise Skoki
Area
November 1st Overnight Scramble
Well, I talked my friend
into a late season scramble. The original plan was to hike into Hidden Lake
campground and scramble Mt. Richardson a 10,216 ft peak. Observing the
weather and watching the Lake Louise ski hill web cam seemed to indicate it
was a possibility. Arriving at the Lake Louise visitor center we were told
there was a half a foot of snow in the valley. Still okay in our minds we
paid for a camping spot and started hoofing it up the trail. Of course God
reminded me I had left my camera in the car. Hoof it back for that. Our
evening went well, temperatures only down to -3c. Thank God for down
clothing and sleeping bags. He didn't create a cartoon world did he?
Although we have broken it there is still the beauty of the original
creation evident.
In the morning we observed our
original objective which had quite a bit of snow on the lower slabby slopes.
We both agreed Mt Richardson would be much more enjoyable in better
conditions and set our sights on Fossil Mountain instead. The weather
cooperated and temperatures were above zero the whole day +6c by afternoon
even though the photos show winter conditions. Energy levels were good,
scenery was great and it proved to be a very rewarding day. If you are
winter equipped as we were and the objective in reasonable condition
shoulder season scrambles can be a very good experience. I would say that my
cell phone had no service anywhere in the valley even on top of Fossil
Mountain. Enjoy these photos.
Looking down at Temple Lodge
Halfway Hut at 8:30am Saturday
morning November 1, 2008
Good biffy nearby
Looking back from Boulder Pass at
Mt Temple
Looking forward from Boulder Pass
to our objective Fossil Mountain
Fossil Mountain and Ptarmigan Lake
in full view from Boulder Pass
The slope up Fossil is very
foreshortened in this view
Looking back down the steep ascent
slope
Brachiopod mountain - another area
scramble
The upper slope you don't see clearly
from Deception Pass
Just a short ridge walk to the summit
cairn and memorial for the Hugo cousins
Our summit photo
The view
Descent slopes to the right of our
ascent route
Ascent and descent routes
A happy camper and scrambler on his
way back
Another view of Mt Temple
Returning from Boulder Pass to Halfway
Hut
Boulder Pass and Fossil Mountain taken
from Halfway Hut
Mt. Richardson our original objective
On our way home
Mt Temple from the Temple Lodge gravel
road
Al is heading home.
Fossil Mountain - Lake Louise Skoki
Area
Scramble: Class 1+ – Steep Hiking, Putting Hands Down for
Balance
Altitude: 2,946m (9,663 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,236m (4,054 ft) from the parking lot
670m (2,198ft) from Deception Pass
Ascent Time: 4 – 5 Hours Approx 12.7
km one way
Best Season to Scramble: June to September
Highlights
This scramble takes you into the outstanding scenery of
the Skoki Lodge area. Summer scrambling and winter ski trips are highly
recommended. August and early September are best as mosquito’s can be quite
annoying in the early summer due to the abundant water in the area. You can
book a backcountry camping spot near Halfway Hut and Hidden Lake to spread
the effort over more than one day, cost $10/ night. Otherwise it is doable
in a long day trip. Some use the camping approach and stay for a few days as
there are quite a few other scrambles only a short hike away. Mt Richardson,
Pika Peak and Ptarmigan Peak are all accessible from Hidden Lake as well as
others near Fossil Mountain.
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1
to Lake Louise 187km (116.9 miles). If your base is Banff head west on the
TransCanada for 56km (35.0 miles) to Lake Louise. There is only one exit so
keep your eye out for it. From the exit head right up the road towards the
Lake Louise Ski hill instead of left into the Lake Louise town site. Take
another right onto a gravel road just past the paved 1A turnoff. This gravel
road takes you to the small parking lot for those heading into the Skoki
area. Gemtrek maps call it the Fish Creek parking lot. Movable sign at the
lot said Skoki Lodge parking.
Route Description
From the parking lot head up the gravel road for 3.8 km
to the Temple Lodge Ski area. Around 1 hour to cover this distance. Note
that near the end you take the right fork in the road not the left. Left
takes you down to the ski lifts and Temple Lodge which is the wrong spot to
access the Skoki trail. The right hand fork takes you above the Temple Lodge
area to a small building. From here head up the slope a couple of minutes
and you will pick up the signed trail entering the trees. From this spot its
3.5 km or about a 1 hour walk to Halfway Hut. There is an outdoor biffy at
the Hut. From Halfway Hut it’s another 1.2 km or
25 minutes to reach Boulder Pass. Fossil Mountain comes into full view as
well as Ptarmigan Lake and Deception Pass distant left. Looking back from
Boulder Pass gives a great view of Mt. Temple. Continue on the trail on the
left side of Ptarmigan Lake for 2.9 km or about 45
minutes to Deception Pass. From Deception Pass the route is obvious,
get your quads ready for a workout of 1.3 km and 2,200 ft.
From Deception Pass you climb the grassy knoll and have to descend a bit to
get on the final slope proper which is always a bit annoying losing
elevation. Most parties go straight up the slope and descend scree
and snow slopes farther right.
