Sunday, September 08, 2024
Coquihalla Mountain escapades - continued
Summer 2026
I was going to write up a trip report of our latest Coquihalla mountain escapade, but I found out it would be pretty much the same as our last hike 2 years ago, so I'll just add to the previous entry and expand a bit.
GR and I decided to take another crack at the Coquihalla Mountain area.
We had been there 2 years ago for a 2 night stay and had climbed Jim Kelly peak and Illal mountain, but had failed to get to the top of Coquihalla, which would be the focus this time.
After a nice hike up (see details in previous entry), we stopped at the the end of meadows and setup camp at the tarn just north of Jim Kelly peak. The tarn just south of Illal mountain is much larger and popular, but we like the suburbs. We setup our tents in exactly the same place as our last trip.
The next day, we set our sites on Coquihalla, a days hike in itself. The route there is fairly straightforward. Easily followed trails through forest bits broken up by about 5 boulder crossings, where you identify the cairn you're aiming for on the other side of the field, and then head towards it.
GR had a map that showed an alternate way up towards the end that would provide a loop. We tried to follow it, but it started to get sketchy, so we back tracked to the original trail and easily followed the trail up. Excellent views from the top, as well as some weird flying ant hive, same as we saw on Jim Kelly.
Easy track back and another nice night on the tarn. Next day an easy walk down to the car with the two brown pops cooling in the Illal creek waiting for us at the parking lot.
Summer 2024
GR and I got a chance to get up into the mountains before the summer ran out. We lucked into a few incredible days of weather with our 2 night stay near Coquihalla mountain.
Day 1: We eventually found the Tulameen Forest Service road parked at the trail head. Only 3 cars on a Friday before labour day? Ok.
The first hour is very gradual, but then starts to get a bit steeper as it goes through the forest. Still, not the steepness of many other climbs. A nice hike through 3 different terrains: overgrown lumber road, mixed forest, then alpine meadows.
Our initial destination was the tarn by Illal peak, but as we passed by the tarn at Jim Kelly, GR called a halt. Good plan as I was exhausted after the 4 hour climb with a full pack. This turned out to be a great choice, as the water is both drinkable and swimmable, and no one else was there. We settled into a much warmer than expected night with stars in full bloom.
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| Home sweet home |
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| campsite, tarn, and Coquihalla mt. |
Day 2 we had decided to climb all three surrounding peaks: Jim Kelley, Coquihalla, and Illal. We got a good start with Jim Kelley. Unfortunately I took the wrong path down and ended up on the West side rather than the North side, ending up on the trail to Coquihalla. I must of got started on the wrong trail right away. GR was waiting for me to come down, but when I didn't show he went back up twice! I followed many smaller paths down (I was not the first to go down this way!) and back tracked to our original start where we got back in touch.
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| On top of Jim Kelley with Coquihalla complex in the background |
That set the stage for our attempt on Coquihalla mountain. There's a long pre-amble around the east flank to get to the south approach. It goes on forever. When we finally reached the actual approach we were pretty gassed. We climbed up what we thought was the class 2 scramble described in trip reports, but then declined the final 100 meters or so. A long march back to camp, skipping the Illal ascent.
A nice dowse in the tarn after getting back to camp set up another beautiful starry night in the mountains.
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| from the top of Illal. Coquihalla in the back. Campers on the shore |
Day 3. We still wanted to fit in Illal peak, so we left the packs and hiked to the tarn and then the peak. A short 45 minute hike. Illal tarn (probably big enough to be called a lake) is the metropolis in these parts. About 10 groups camping in and around the lake area. Glad we stayed at Jim Kelly tarn.
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| The flats leading the way back |
Back to camp to packup and a nice gradual walk down. Fortunately the radlers were still cooling in the creek at the trail entrance. They went down nice and smooth...
Addendum 1: Mushrooms along the way...
Addendum 2: Strange bark on cedar trees. Must be adapted to this environment.
