Date: September 21, 2021
Location/Route Map: Kootenay
Elevation: 2636 m
Elevation Gain: 1250 m
Distance: 12.3 km (round trip, including Mount Haffner)
Rating: Class 3 - Moderate
Notes: Some exposed scrambling along the final 100 m of the crumbly, narrow summit ridge makes for an exciting finale to an otherwise easy scramble.
GPS Track: Download
This is my first year experiencing larch season in the mountains, having been in school in Edmonton at this time the past 13 years 😔, but let me tell you! The mountains did not disappoint!! Although I was hoping to make it to Moraine Lake and tackle Eiffel or Temple around this time of year (I've heard the larches around there are spectacular!), that area is a mess as of late, with not being allowed to make a left-hand turn up to Moraine Lake...then not being allowed to U-turn until Lake Louise...just to be told you can't park at Moraine Lake, even though there's no way the lot is full before 8am on a weekday! (I mean, maybe it is...but that's besides the point. That place is an utter mess!). Anyways...Vermilion Peak was a fantastic alternative, offering spectacular views, with the contrast of bright larches amongst evergreens and fresh snow dusting peaks all around!
Vermilion Peak to Mount Haffner Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).
Starting up Vermilion's overgrown ascent gully. There is a narrow trail through the tall grass almost all the way to the minor cliffs.
Just before the minor cliffs, the trail joins with a hardened mud-slide, which basically goes all the way to the summit cliffs...I wonder how recent it is??
The cliffs are easily passed through, up and around the left side.
Target in sight! The mud slide continues after the cliffs, and I opted to hike up the hardened slope. It's grippy nature made it quick to ascend.
The sun shone on the burnt trees for a brief moment, causing this super cool view. Lucky for me, I already had my camera out and was able to capture it just moments before it was gone! (Also, check out that bird in mid-flight!)
Larches spotted!
Looking down the long mud-slide, travelling far down the ascent gully.
We left the mud-slide and headed up more vegetated slopes to the right, to hopefully minimize side-hilling later.
Trees bent like grasses in the wind!
Heading up the upper slopes before the summit cliffs. It was annoyingly treadmill-like at times, but not as bad as some other scrambles we've done. Could have had something to do with the snow melting in the sun, making the dirt wet and soft. The views easily made up for it though!
The shale slopes below the cliffs that guard the ridge, were steeper than they look here! We initially began traversing in a southern direction, looking for easier access to gain the ridge, but soon realized we'd have to drop down more than we wanted to. As such, we started up the steep, loose slopes, looking for a weakness to ascend.
Heading up to the ridge on shaley terrain.
My dad climbs up the final bit before gaining the ridge. The route we took was steep and loose, and easier terrain does exist if you traverse farther south before gaining the ridge. Make sure you don't climb right to the base of the summit cliffs too early as we did, however, as you will have to lose elevation to get to that easier terrain. With that being said, we didn't find where we went up to be too bad, but the choice is there.
The ridge begins broad and gentle, but that will soon change...
Things are getting more interesting!
Me, scrambling along the summit ridge. Photo Credit: Dad
Navigating the ridge. Apparently you can drop down to the right of the ridge when things get too sketchy, but we opted to tackle the ridge crest head on. I personally wasn't interested in that steep, loose-looking slope below...Especially with the fresh snow on it! (See snow in next picture...It's hidden by the jagged shale from this angle.)
One of the narrower sections! Do note that if you decide to keep to the crest, there will be some exposure! Photo Credit: Dad
Final few steps before the surprisingly spacious summit!!
Mount Whymper rises up across the highway. Glad we knocked that off a couple weeks ago, because I wouldn't want to be climbing that with the fresh snow! It is STEEP!
Happy we completed Storm Mountain last trip as well...winter is coming, bring out the skis!
Stanley is a beast! Kane's route up this side looks pretty extreme, so I'm super stoked that a more moderate route apparently exists! Can't wait to knock that off along with Ball and Beatrice ASAP! Gonna have to wait for next year though :(.
"Ochre Spring Peak" across the highway is another to-do.
Highway 93 splits the valley in half, leading to the long cliffs of Castle Mountain in the distance.
Vibrant larches in the sun!
Natural window revealing more distant peaks!
Looking down to the unique orange streams of the Paint Pots far below!
Rockwall Peak in the clouds.
Our next objective for the day, Mount Haffner!
The mighty Mount Ball is high in the clouds.
The backside of the Valley of Ten Peaks looks like a miniature icefield!
Comprehensive view, back down the summit ridge, to the east.
Summit register! (Sorry, the pencil was lacking!)
My dad on the summit of Vermilion peak!
Me, with Storm rising behind! Doesn't look too stormy up there today ;). Photo Credit: Dad
Summit selfie!!
Low clouds cover the peaks of many mountains on the other side of the highway. Floe Peak rises center in the clouds.
Mount Verendrye is also cloudy topped.
Heading back down the narrow, shaley summit ridge. Photo Credit: Dad
Looks like a whole different place from this side!
Looking down towards the ascent gully, now far below us. Don't want to slip here!!
Looking back up the crux summit ridge; back on more tame terrain!
On to Mount Haffner!
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