Little Hector to Mount Andromache Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

After following the narrow (but well travelled) trail up Hector Creek, we quickly reached the waterfall, and headed up on the left side. Our route involved a short scrambly bit...but I think we may have taken a wrong turn, and left the trail. Once above this bit, we quickly rediscovered the trail, which easily led us to the upper valley! Above the waterfall, a scree trail continued on the left side of the creek. We followed this for a few minutes, but as it began heading more and more leftwards (but Hector isn't that way), we ditched the trail and angled in Hector's general direction, towards the right. Eventually we crossed the creek and arrived in a mossy bowl.

Lush, mossy feature in a bit of a bowl in the valley.

At the end of the bowl, we found a scree trail angling to the left and up through a small set of cliffs. Once above that, we found ourselves in another bowl (pictured), and the trail continued up to climber's right, towards Little Hector.

Not so little! Hiking along a nice plateau, before the big climb. We scrambled up on the right side of the snow patch, and then another plateau led to the base of Little Hector (note the winding scree trail up to the ridge, center-right in the sun)!

The scree trail provided a quick ascent, but when the slope steepened higher up, we often detoured onto more solid, larger rock. We quickly gained elevation, and it wasn't long before we reached the short cliffs guarding the ridge (the only real obstacle for this scramble).

The cliffs just before the ridge are more like steep slabs (unfortunately I didn't take any pictures). From the end of the scree trial, I traversed just slightly right, below the slabs, and ascended (what I found to be) a straightforward route, traversing along some small ledges up to the ridge. My dad, on the other hand...now that's a different story! He decided to try his luck with some steep scree, right above the scree trail. He soon got stuck...had to downclimb...and then had me come back down to rescue him!! (jk, I just guided him through my route...which he wasn't at all fond of either!). So...maybe I was just having a good day ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Anyways...once above the slabs, another scree trail (pictured) easily leads all the way to the summit!

Looking off the side of the ridge as the morning sun hits us...although it feels like it could be mid-afternoon!

Summit selfie! My dad found the last stretch up the ridge to be a major slog, and didn't enjoy it one bit!...I, on the other hand, found Little Hector to be a short, straight-forward, easy scramble (with one moderate step) with amazing views! (I think my dad was just having a bad morning...or I'm just weird...either way...rip)

Now that's a view that's worth the climb! (right dad?)

Looking down towards the summit cairn...? There were three up here, but surprisingly none had a summit register. Many familiar peaks though! Howse Peak and Mount Chephren (distant-left), with Dolomite, Cirque, and Observation Peaks stacking up in the center (front to back)!

Interesting angle of Bow Peak (front), with the long ridge of Crowfoot Mountain behind, and Bow Lake down to the right! Also...that cloud looks lost...

Mount Balfour rises over three lakes: Hector Lake (unreal reflection!), Lake Margaret, and Turquoise Lake (bottom to top)!

Looking down the length of Hector Lake, towards the glaciated peaks beyond! I've never seen a reflection like that from on top of a mountain...absolutely mind-blowing!!

Mount Hector!!

The toe of Hector Glacier far far below!

Super hazy!...but here we've got Mount Ball and Stanley Peak (distant far-left), Bident Mountain and Quadra Mountain, Mount Temple (with Little Temple below left), Haddo Peak and Mount Aberdeen (with the Valley of Ten Peaks rising behind), and Mount Niblock with Mount Lefroy towering above!

The massive Mount Victoria (center) joins the picture, along with the eye-catching Goodsirs distant-right!

Mount Andromache's intimidating south cliffs rise up on the opposite side of the valley! Noseeum Peak is seen just behind (left).

The same valley we followed up is used for scrambling Molar Mountain...but that's a bit of a longer day ;). 3333m Cataract Peak rises distant-left!

Me, on the summit of Little Hector, with Mount Hector stealing the show! Photo credit: Dad

My dad, with Hector Lake and company.

That's no small glacier!

Summit pano across the highway! Pulpit Peak sees its reflection at the left end of Hector Lake, and Mount Daly rises to the left!

When we started heading down, it was just before noon...leaving us back at the trailhead around 2:00pm, from where we'd just have to drive back to Edmonton...and who wants to do that?! Mount Andromache had been staring me down across the valley all morning, and looked like it was soooo close and in striking distance! Although the plan was to take it easy, after summiting both Mount Weed and Silverhorn Mountain the day prior, we just couldn't resist another two summit day! Life's too short, so "go when you can!" - Dad's moto, lol!

Running down the scree trail was supa fast (I think my dad might have even enjoyed it), and we were back down in the valley in no time! Andromache doesn't look so close anymore...