I went hiking with Ryan and his group of scouts to Helm Creek. I camped overnight but Ryan and the group stayed for 2 additional days. It was a fairly cool couple days for July and it began to mist light rain as I arrived at the meadow. I quickly setup my tent (in the oncoming rain) and then we all hiked up to the Cinder Flats and the runoff creek. I managed to cross the creek by stepping on stones.
Headed out to Buntzen Lake in the morning and checked out the view from the many peaks along the lower ridge.
The new bridge is nice and solid compared to jumping across the old shaky slippery one. There were lots of dragon flies swarming above the vistas having a party. Lots of boats out today in the water and Buntzen lake was quite busy with beach-goers.
Mt. Baker from the viewpoint overlooking Buntzen Lake.
Here you can see the 3 peaks I hiked yesterday at Mt. Seymour. (Picture taken from roughly 900m lower in elevation than Mt. Seymour)
This is the view from Diez Vista #1
This is the view from Diez Vista #2
Today I decided to hike Mt. Seymour I had read reports that there was still some snow but compared to hiking the Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Park this would be a cakewalk.
Well it wasn’t quite a cakewalk but at least this time I brought summer gaiters and my heavy boots/poles served their purpose.
I geared up in the parking lot and I had a few funny looks from people in flip/flops in the parking lot. Not more than 15mins into the trail snow and then trail again, run-off and then snow again. From Brockton point up it was almost all snow.
Most people that did hike to the peak(s) stopped after the 1st peak but I continued to 2nd peak and then Mt. Seymour for the Northern views.
Mt. Baker from 1st Peak.
Mt. Baker from 2nd Peak.
A crow joined me as I rested on the top of Mt. Seymour. 
The Northern views from atop Mt. Seymour
For Canada Day 2008 I decided a hiking trip was in order. So I set my alarm for 4am and picked up my buddy Dave at 5am and we hit the Sea to Sky Highway for Squamish/Whistler. We had an awesome day but it was a long one. We hiked up the Rubble Creek about 9km (est 900m gain) to Garibaldi Lake.
When we got to the lake we ate lunch and found that we had attracted some camp robbers. They were not shy at all and came extremely close. This one decided to try my fishing rod out.
I know… I know… before you ask why did I decide to take my spin cast gear I’ll tell you it’s simply easier to fish from shore with a spin cast setup. It’s not completely against my religion of fly fishing, I did pack a fly rod and my gear into Lindeman Lake a few days before and there was no way I’d catch anything on that lake that day fly fishing from shore.
So I took my $15.99 Can-Tire special Rapala Rod/Reel combo and some 6lb spider line and tied on an old yellow rooster tail. 1st cast, counted to 5, reeled in.. little fish followed it in. 2nd cast, counted to 10, reeled in again little fish followed it in nipping at it. 3rd cast, counted to 15, reeled in and bam! Fish on. The fish spun in circles beneath the crystal clear water. I’m not sure why but I’ve seen this from fish at other alpine lakes before. Wasn’t much of a struggle and I got him to shore. Dave snapped a photo and I released him back to the wild. It wasn’t anything special compared to the fish I’ve caught in the Kamloops region but it was still an extremely nice catch of the day at BC’s largest highest alpine lake. (I mean no other lake is as large and as high)
jermorse@myflytie.com