2010 Conditions: CMH Summer Adventures

Western Anemones blooming at Pocket Lake in the Bugaboos

2010 Summer Adventures - Reports from the Field:
Flower, Weather and Trail Conditions

> View Photos from the Field <

 Bugaboo Lodge - September 8, 2010

The hiking really is good. Although the temperatures are cool it has been pleasant out there. The Larches are just starting to turn color. Tomorrow is the last day of our season and we are hoping for a sunny day for the guests.

 Bugaboo Lodge - August 19, 2010

We woke up to another beautiful sunrise on the spires and clear blue skies. A thrilling landing by Perry, our pilot, brought us to a huge boulder on the very edge of a hanging valley on the backside of the Howser Towers with spectacular closeup views of the 3000 foot sheer faces. Then up through a series of flat meadows loaded with River Beauty, Indian Paintbrush, Pink Monkey Flowers, Heathers, Ragworts, Orchids, Twinflowers, Valarian, Purple Fleabane and the Yellow Monkey Flower in its prime bloom. Not to mention the waterfalls connecting the different levels of alpine meadows.

When the legs became more resistant we called the helicopter and flew to the Kickoff Glacier for a little stroll around on the ice. Then off by air taxi to Silver Basin to have lunch beside Hourglass Lake. After a relaxing lunch complete with history stories by the guides Duane and Jasper, a few jokes by the guests and and space travel anecdotes by Roberta Bondar, we chose to climb to the lookout 400 feet above us. The view of the Spires from there caught the guests by surprise because we were so close to the Spires and the Bugaboo Glacier that flows down toward the lodge. It was well worth the climb and we strolled back down to catch the heli for the comfort of the lodge as afternoon buildup brought some clouds and wind.

A couple of us carried on to Blackforest Lookout for more great views of Cobalt Lake. We hiked along Blackforest Ridge through the gusty but refreshing wind and rain shower while watching the changing mood in the Spires. Soon we were treated to breaking skies and warm sunshine as the storm cell passed over toward the Septets.

Just before being whisked back to the lodge we witnessed an especially bright, full spectrum, double rainbow below us with the dark and brooding Septets as a backdrop. What a great finish to a really great trip!

 Bugaboo Lodge - August 17, 2010

In the Bugaboos we had another endless sunny summer day although we had the sky partially obscured by forest fire smoke. I was on the L2L trip so got up at 5:30 AM to drive over to the BB. The sunrise through the smoke on the way over was such an amazing fire red ball!

We flew out from the Bobbie Burns at 9:00 AM sharp to land on Grizzly peak at 8600 ft, still enjoying the early sun through the smoky sky. The smoke added drama and contrast to all the mountain vistas that we observed on our long high ridge walk. It was a rather giddy hike for the group of seasoned hikers as there was only a light breeze to keep the bugs away and the temperature was perfect for hiking even though the sun was full on through the haze.

The flowers were prime on the ridge where we found amazing Gentian, perhaps for the first time this summer. Tons of photos were taken and the drama changed as we hiked closer to the Bugaboo spires and the smoke gradually cleared. Fabulous views greeted us over every rise and around every bend in the ridge.

By the time 4:30 PM rolled around we were in close range of the Bugaboos, the pixels were all used up and the hikers were satiated and looking forward a cold beer on the deck of the Bugaboo Lodge watching the light retreat on the spires.

 Bugaboo Lodge - August 16, 2010

Stupendously spectacular time in the Bugaboos! We currently have the family adventure trip with 14 kids (and a bunch of guides acting like kids). Some of the families hiked together and the rest of the kids formed two hiking groups aged 5-9 and 10 -13. I hiked with the 10-13 year old group. After a warm up hike to a pass and back, we had a stone skipping contest. We then popped off our shoes and waded in cold mountain water for a "mountain mud spa". Later in the day we all had some super fun "bum-slides" in the snow for heaps of fun and photos! After dinner, everyone got several climbs on the climbing wall. Heaps of fun!

The hillsides are in full bloom with the summer flowers, and only a few patches of snow left for bum-sliding.

 Bugaboo Lodge - July 26, 2010

Weather: Fantastic - perfect sunshine!

Snow: In most places you don't have to walk on snow unless you want to, but there is still enough for good bum sliding in select locations.

Flowers: EXECELLENT! Full-on moss campion on protected ridge tops; I have never seen so much golden fleabane on the ridge-tops; tons of columbine and paintbrush and even glacier lilies in selected locations. More flowers to come as the season progresses.

 Bugaboo Lodge - July 22, 2010

Much of the snow has left the alpine and the hiking is great! Blue bird skies with excellent photographic opportunities!

After a slow start the flowers are starting to bloom and it's looking like it will be a stellar summer for the wildflowers. Phacelia has really started blooming in the last couple days. Indian Paintbrush is starting to show their brilliant reds. Of course the Anemones, Spring Beautys, Marsch Marigolds, Cinquefoil, golden Fleabane, and buttercups are in their prime.

In places where the snow has just left, the Glacier Lilies are in their prime. Shubby Penstemon is late but starting, one can find Rock Cress in the meadow grass, and the yellow monkey flower is blooming in the streams. Rose root and other Sedums are doing well.

 Bugaboo Lodge - July 8, 2010

Conditions continue to improve daily. There are still bits of snow, but the hiking is amazing! On sunny days the temperature rises quickly and the remaining snow is disappearing fast.

Lots of flowers are getting ready to bloom - all it will take is a few more days of sun.

Already blooming flowers include Cinquefoil, Mountain Aven, Western Anemone, Northern Anemone, Roseroot, Sibbaldia, Wooley Fleabane, Phacelia, Buttercup, Spring Beauty and Purple Saxefrage.

 Bugaboo Lodge - June 25, 2010

Conditions improving daily: When the sun is out and on warmer days the snowmelt is quite rapid, so conditions improve every day.

The choice spots for hiking are along the ridge tops.

In the high alpine there is a very rich crop of purple saxifrage and alpine cinquefoil, very pretty , growing everywhere in all the rocky crags and anywhere that the ground has had a few exposed sunny days.

Most of the classic long exposed hiking ridges that are in the 2300 to 2600 m. elevation band are mostly bare although any low points along the ridges have large snow patches. Almost all basins and cirques at all aspects and elevations are still heavily snowbound.