After packing up camp, we set off from our lovely bivy plateau and picked up where we left off the previous evening - hiking down Outlaw's long NW descent valley. A mere couple minutes after leaving camp, the drainage cliffed out at the edge of a waterfall, but luckily this obstacle is easily circumvented by sidehilling scree on its right (eastern) side. Here we discovered a decent goat trail traversing the hillside, which we gladly followed until it eventually petered out and we bushwhacked down a minor stream to join back up with the main drainage.

The next little while was easy going, simply following the broad, rubble creekbed, and we only faced one obstacle in the form of a minor cliff that we bypassed on steep slopes to skier's right, before promptly dropping back down to the creek. A little while later, we noticed a trail (far too significant not to be man-made) leading up into the forest on the right side of the drainage. Intrigued, we followed it for a short distance, but quickly turned back as it climbed high above the drainage and then appeared to just continue heading east...Unsure what this trail was doing, we decided that it would be in our best interests to head back and simply continue following the drainage out instead...Spoiler alert! It wasn't. A short stint of boulder hopping later, we were once again cliffed out by the drainage, and once again detoured up the steep slopes to our right. This time, rather than immediately heading back down, we climbed to the gentlely angled treed "ridge" above, discovering another drainage on the opposite side with an obvious trail paralleling it! That must be where the trail we'd discovered earlier had gone!

Frustrated that we'd wasted time not being on this trail, but grateful we'd re-discovered it, we descended the steep, loose slopes of this new-found drainage, and easily crossed to the welcoming trail on the opposite side. From this point onwards we were cruizin' and after another 3.5 km emerged to the Romulus Backcountry Campsite. Now it was time for the day to really start!

We made our way to the north side of the campground and down to the Little Elbow River which we would have to cross to access Mount Romulus. Due to the recent snow storm - and the rapid melt of that freshly fallen snow - I was seriously concerned that the river might be flowing too high to cross, completely sabotaging my entire trip plan! Luckily my worries were quickly pushed aside, and we easily crossed the chilly, mid-calf deep waters (who knew aquasocks made such a difference!!), before stretching out and having a late breakfast in the warm morning sun on the opposite side.

The approach trail for Romulus starts only about 100 m upstream from where we crossed, and we coincidentally headed for the forest at the exact same time as another party who had just finished their crossing further up the river. This group of 4 had biked in the previous evening, stayed the night at the Romulus Campground, and were heading in the same direction as we were. We started up as one big group, following a surprisingly good trail heading west through the forest for about 1 km, before branching off to climber's right, and continuing up along the eastern bank of a drainage gully coming off the south end of Mount Romulus. Shortly after starting up alongside this drainage, however, we told the other group to go ahead with their fresh legs and light daypacks, while we trudged up behind with our jello-like legs and heavy overnight packs.

Upon reaching the upper basin, the other group continued traversing high on the scree slopes to the right, while we started down to the drainage, angling directly for the ascent gully that grants access to Romulus' southwest ridge (the last gully with a significant patch of greenery at its base). Given that there are two ascent routes that split off at this point, I assumed that the party of 4 was taking the big basin route - heading directly up the scree slope that lay in front of us. This was a relief, because looking up the gully, it appeared to be pretty steep and loose, and I didn't like the idea of having a big group ahead of us...

I started powering my way up the gully, having found a new burst of energy in my tired legs, and quickly gained elevation towards the ridge. When I turned around to see how my dad was doing, I realized I'd completely left him in the dust, and he'd been intercepted by the party of 4, who had now crossed over to our side of the valley...They all stood at the base of the gully I was climbing and seemed to be having a conversation of sorts.

It turns out that the other group wanted to follow us up the gully/southwest ridge route, but didn't bring helmets and therefore wanted to ascend it with us rather than behind us. Being in a groove, I really wanted to just keep going and was a little bit frustrated that I had to slow down, but forced myself to wait for them to catch up before continuing on.

The gully was quite enjoyable to ascend, with a good chunk of the ascent being on solid, waterworn rock (moderate scrambling). With careful footing I managed to not send any rocks down as I led the way, but I had a bit of a scare when one of the guys sent a sizeable rock tumbling down towards my dad who was at the back of the pack! Luckily it was just a near miss, but was still more than enough to prompt my dad to get the heck out of the gully and ascend step-like terrain to climber's right.

Soon we emerged to the ridge (unfortunately the rock degrades to loose heaps of scree just before topping out), and my dad and I continued our ascent while the other group stopped for a break. Following the ridge is largely just a hike with only a couple spots that deserve special mention. At one point, just before reaching the second minor highpoint, the ridge becomes slabby and narrows significantly. While this section didn't really faze us - and we simply walked right across it - it did require a little bit more concentration than the broad ridge we'd mindlessly followed thus far! Shortly thereafter, a short cliff band needs to be descended on route to the low col below Romulus' broad summit slopes. We chose to downclimb just right of the nose, and although quite steep - and a little awkward with bigger packs! - we were still able to downclimb facing forwards so it can't be that bad, right?! 😉

Once past this obstacle, all that remains is a scree slog to the summit...which still looks dishearteningly far away! Romulus' impressive summit cliffs loom high above the final low point, and 250 vertical meters still need to be gained to stand above them. Although the trudge went on a little longer than our achy bodies would have liked, the scree leading up this final stretch is actually quite solid and we were making the final few steps to the summit cairn much sooner than I expected.

For our efforts we were granted an overview of the long traverse we completed the previous day, as well as an impressive view of the back/east side of the Opal Range, rearing up to the west. Giants such as Rae and the mighty Assiniboine were also visible on this clear day, but my favorite view was definitely that across to Romulus' little brother, Mount Remus, mirroring Romulus' sheer east face, with an impressive wall of its own!

Eventually the other group joined us at the summit and after chatting for a bit while relaxing in the warm, afternoon sun and light, refreshing breeze, we started back down to the col. Since my dad and I had no need to go back to the Romulus Campground (our bikes were still at the Glasgow Trailhead afterall) we decided to take Bill Kerr's shortcut approach down. I didn't know much about this route - other than what is briefly mentioned by Kane - but I knew it would cut off 1.5 km of walking back down the road, and that was good enough for me!

Kane notes that Kerr's shortcut route joins up with the south ridge at the "final dip before the summit", and while he's not technically wrong - and if you were ascending via this route you would top out pretty darn close to the low point - this description is a little misleading on descent. You actually want to leave the ridge slightly before (north of) arriving at the actual low point. If you continue right to the lowest point of the ridge, and then start down the scree bowl immediately to your left, you'll soon be standing at the edge of a massive cliff band, peering an airy ~ 50 m down to the descent drainage below. Yes, I speak from experience here...

After ascending back to the ridge (luckily it was only possible to loose 50 m before realizing we messed up), we continued back up towards the summit for a few more meters before discovering a cairn marking the proper spot to leave the ridge. After descending a short, loose gully, we found ourselves on a bit of a ridge separating two much larger gullies, funneling down to the drainage far below. The gully on your right (skier's) is more like a scree ramp that angles down directly below the cliff band, and is the one you'll want to take.

Once at the bottom of the ramp, we were able to start down the drainage, which presents a few challenges of its own! We initially tried descending directly in the middle of the narrow, waterworn gully, but a thin layer of dusty film on the smooth slabs made them very slippery underfoot. We didn't feel comfortable relying on the friction between our boots and these not-so-grippy slabs, so after carefully shuffling down the first step, we headed up onto the right side (skier's) of the drainage gully and downclimbed still somewhat slabby, but more step-like, terrain (moderate scrambling) until the slope eased off lower down. (Note: while very doable when the rock is dry, this is not a route I'd consider if it was snow-covered or raining!)

Back on easy ground, we continued down a bushy ridge, sandwiched between two drainages. Here we found better footing than in the loose, rubble-filled drainages on either side, and were soon down in the broad creekbed, boulder-hopping our way back to the Little Elbow River.

I expected these last few kilometers to be an uneventful, mindless trek, but the drainage made sure we didn't completely zone out! Further down, the creekbed narrows and becomes somewhat "canyon-like" with a series of overhanging cliffs that we had to detour around on the steep, dusty sides of the drainage - often on our left. After doing this three or four times, the drainage chilled out once again and we easily made our way down the final stretch to the Little Elbow, crossed back to the south side, and bushwhacked a short distance before arriving at the approach road.

Now all that was left was a 2 km walk to where we stashed our bikes, before starting up the final peak of our trip, Mount Remus!

Photo Gallery

Beautiful early morning light on today's objective, from our bivy in Outlaw's NW descent valley.

Overview of the scree basin we descended from last night, with our bivy site below, at left.

This waterfall is easily avoided by sidehilling across scree slopes to the right.

Traversing scree slopes to avoid the canyon-like drainage. Our bivy plateau at right.

We could have descended back to the drainage ealier, but a solid goat trail encouraged us to continue traversing the hillside.

Following a minor stream back to the main drainage when the goat trail eventually petered out.

Back in the drainage, easily following a small creek down the valley.

Came across this neat waterfall, formed by a couple big boulders!

Ascending steep slopes to a treed "ridge" above the drainage to hopefully get a better overview of the valley.

Topping out on the ridge to re-discover the obvious trail, leading exactly where we needed it to...🤦‍♂️

Looking back to the treed "ridge" (center), as we join with the solid trail, which conveniently leads all they way down to the Little Elbow River.

Passing through the Romulus Backcountry Campground.

This braided section of the Little Elbow was an absolute breeze to cross despite the recent storm.

Easily crossing the Little Elbow's shallow waters. (We got lucky, but don't expect the crossing to be this trivial year round!)

A small cairn marks the obvious branch for Mount Romulus.

Approaching treeline as we enter Romulus' southern scree basin.

Looking ahead with our route in red and the "big basin" route in yellow.

Starting up our chosen ascent gully to gain Romulus' SW ridge.

Views back down the valley start to open up behind me, as I quickly gain elevation up the gully. The big snowy peak is Mount Rae.

Time for some scrambling!

The group follows me up a mixture of loose scree and solid slabs.

Sections of solid, waterworn rock made for a quick ascent.

Unfortunately the rock degrades and becomes a loose treadmill near the top.

Looking ahead as we exit the gully and begin our traverse of Romulus' SW ridge.

Blane, Brock, Little Evan, Ripsaw, Potts, and Denny rise over vibrant green valleys to the west.

Views continue to improve as we start the easy trudge up the ridge.

Approaching the first minor highpoint in the ridge.

Traversing between a couple minor highpoints in the ridge.

A short, narrow section of ridge leads up to the second highpoint.

The "big basin" route ascends to the brown col in the sunlight (left), before sidehilling across the scree slopes below us here.

Picking our way down from the short, but steep downclimb from the second highpoint.

Picking our way down from the short, but steep downclimb from the second highpoint.

Looking back at the steep downclimb from the second highpoint. We descended just to looker's left of the nose here. (Note the other group topping out on the first highpoint!)

Descending to a low col before starting up Romulus' final summit slopes.

Starting up across the col for one final uphill grunt to the summit.

Not much to it...Just go up!

Approaching the summit of Romulus with Ripsaw, Evan Thomas, Potts, Denny, Assiniboine, Galatea, The Tower, Shoulder, Bogart, and Fisher making up the backdrop.

Incredible summit views to the east, with Romulus' little brother, Remus, rising directly across a low col, Howard and Fullerton at left, and yesterday's traverse at right!

It's a LONG way down to the Little Elbow River! Glasgow North, Garriochmill, Glasgow, Banded, Cornwall, Outlaw, Rae, Tombstone South & North, and Janelea rise from the opposite side (L to R).

Views west towards the jagged Opal Range include Brock, Little Evan, Ripsaw, Evan Thomas, Potts, and Denny (L to R).

Fischer Peak rises dominantly across the Shoulder Creek valley to the NW.

Compression Ridge, Mount Fullerton, and Moose Mountain to the NE.

If you look closely, you can spot four tiny figures on top of Mount Remus!

A closer look at yesterday's four peak traverse. We started by ascending Glasgow's "S" shaped NW drainage at left, and finished by descending the long valley NW of Outlaw at right!

Comprehensive views back down the ridge include Rae, Tombstone South & North, Cat Ears, Jerram, Burney, Blane & The Blade, Brock, Little Evan, Ripsaw, Evan Thomas, Potts, and Denny (L to R). I wonder how we're going to get down from the col...

A major cliff band blocks our way as we peer down to Bill Kerr's shortcut gully route. We should have descended earlier and been on the scree ramp at left...

Don't go down this gully...It's a dead end!

Back on track! Starting down the proper descent gully.

Traversing right to gain a key scree ramp. Don't get lured into the major gully below!

Looking back up to the ridge after descending the proper gully (small snow patch, C-L).

Descending the loose, scree ramp directly below the cliffs we were peering over just moments ago.

Starting down the smooth, waterworn gully at the base of the ramp. Not somewhere I'd want to be if it was wet!

Carefully shuffling down the smooth, narrow funnel.

Looking back to where the scree ramp meets the slabby gully.

Downclimbing steep, step-like terrain to skier's right of the waterworn gully.

WOAH! This alternate route is worth it just for these stunning close-up views of Romulus' SE face!

Easy, albiet loose terrain, leads the rest of the way down to a distant rubble creekbed.

Hard to believe there's a route through that!

Following the drainage back to the Little Elbow River.

Romulus' SE face looms over us once again.

Woah, I was not expecting that! A super cool overhanging cliff stops us in our tracks as we descend what is otherwise a very tame drainage.

Luckily we were able to bypass this obstacle by traversing steep slopes to our left. This happened more than once...

Looks like someone hit another "speed bump"! 😂

Detouring around yet another overhanging cliff.

Views back up Romulus' SE descent drainage as we emerge to the Little Elbow River flats. Remus at right.

The Little Elbow is definitely deeper than it was this morning!

Bushwhacking back up to the Little Elbow Trail.

Bushwhacking back up to the Little Elbow Trail.

Bushwhacking back up to the Little Elbow Trail.

Bushwhacking back up to the Little Elbow Trail.

Emerging from the forest at the Little Elbow Trail.

Following the road back to our bikes at Glasgow's NW ascent drainage.