Helena Ridge East Peak Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

Copper Mountain, from a rare viewpoint on the drab trail to Rockbound Lake! (You're probably wondering if I'll ever stop ripping on this trail...Nope!) We started just before sunrise, knowing we had a good chunk of distance to cover in the ever-shortening sunlight hours!

The sun rises as we continue up the trail! A couple people already broke the Rockbound Lake trail for us (looked like a set of ski tracks and snowshoe tracks), making our work easy to start our day!

Sunny!!

I like the narrow tree in the middle with a big clump of snow balancing on top :)

After a long 5(and a bit) km, we reached the point where our map claimed the route up Helena Ridge East Peak began! The pre-broken trail continued (left) towards Rockbound Lake, but we'd be the first of the season for where we were headed!!

Time to see how these snowshoes do in some pow!!

We got a quick glimpse of the south end of Helena Ridge East Peak (right), before heading deep into the forest!

We got lucky and found this frozen "bridge" that allowed us to cross a flowing stream along the way!

Eisenhower Tower rises majestically in the sun! Wonder how that tree's feeling right now...

We took turns breaking trail through the powder, following the path of least resistance, avoiding dense patches of trees, and staying relatively close to the route our map showed. It was super fun creating our own, unique trail that might be followed by others later in the season! (Hopefully we did an okay job...) Photo credit: Dad

The sun breaks through the trees! The forecast predicted an 80% chance of snow today...so far we've been extremely lucky with this beautiful weather!!

Soon the slope began to steepen!

We arrived at a bit of a ridge, on the edge of a boulder field, and were granted this incredible view of Eisenhower Tower and the cliff bands surrounding the hidden Rockbound Lake!

A closer look at the beautifully lit Eisenhower Tower.

Peaceful, untouched, snow-covered boulder field!

Deep snow!...Good thing we got snowshoes!!

Looking back down our newly created "staircase"!

We eventually arrived at a long wall of significantly steep slope (even though it looks pretty mellow from this angle), and my dad tried to switch-back his way up...

...he couldn't get enough of a grip on the steep slope, so we decided to traverse below it (to climber's right), to see if any other options opened up.

We soon came to a still steep (but short) slope, and made it up without difficulty!

Pilot Mountain makes a brief appearance!

That's some pretty deep snow!!

As we gained elevation, and the trees began to thin, we couldn't help dreaming of skiing down the fluffy, untouched, perfect powder!

Cool tree :)

Approaching the treeline!

Look at all the untouched snow!!

Stuart Knob is highlighted in the sun (center-right)!

Just like that, we were in a complete whiteout!! Photo credit: Dad

Eisenhower Tower and the summit of Castle Mountain (behind-right) break out of the clouds just for a second, producing this dramatic scene!

The terrain started to get a bit rocky as we approached the ridge!

Depression :( I guess the forecast was right after all...Nothing to see as we reach the summit ridge!

Well...I guess not nothing...there were some cool cornices along the ridge!

Looks like ice cream! YUM :P

Me, on the summit of Helena Ridge East Peak, with a couple views opening up... Photo credit: Dad

At least the snow formations offer something photo-worthy!

Woah! Some incredible sub peaks of Helena Ridge are revealed!

Summit selfie!

My dad gazes at the breathtaking snowy faces of the sub peaks!

The sun starts to light up the clouds!

WOW! Helena Ridge's significant sub peak in the sun!!

Some snow-capped mountains are revealed in slow-mo, as the clouds disperse!

There they are! :) Hickson Peak rises center!

Such an incredible view that we got so lucky to even experience! At this point my dad was like, "the view's not getting any better than this", indicating that there was no point in waiting any longer for more clouds to clear... Photo credit: Dad

...but I just couldn't pull myself away from the summit just yet! And wouldn't you know it, the views just kept getting better! I was constantly putting my mittens on to try to warm up, and then immediately taking them off to take a picture, as the clouds shifted, and more views opened up! Are my hands ever gonna thaw out!!? I believe the big peak (reminds me of one of those massive peaks in ski movies from the Alps or Himalayas!), center-left, is Noetic W3!

A significant peak rises up behind a ridge! I don't know how, but it appears to be unnamed...

The bottom section of Mystic Peak is the last mountain we'd see, on the edge of the whiteout that blocked out all views to the south.

The summit of Noetic Peak was visible for a brief moment, breaking out above the clouds! We waited around for a little while longer to see if it would be fully revealed, but I was eventually able (barely) to tear myself away, and head back down the mountain, leaving the incredible winter scenery behind. My hands thanked me for it!

Heading back down the ridge, into the whiteout!

No trouble finding our way back on this one ;)

Looking back to the summit (center) as the clouds start moving back in.

Making our way down(?) into the clouds...seems a bit backwards!

Look at that happy guy :)! Deep snow feels like the treadmill scree of winter...tiring on the climb, but an absolute blast coming down!

It started snowing as we made our way down, but we were sheltered in the trees, and snow's a lot better than rain!

Joining back up with the Rockbound Lake trail...kinda sad that there's a pre-broken trail now...the powder is so much more fun to descend!

Looking back up the treed slope from which we came.

Ooh lots of snow up there...Photo credit: Dad

...would be a shame if it fell on someone's head! After getting a fun video of a big chunk of snow exploding over my head, it was just a long trek back down the Rockbound Lake trail. Other than this last stretch that seemed to drag on forever (as the Rockbound Lake trail does) I enjoyed the day immensely, and can't wait to embark on more snowshoe adventures!