Lizzie Lake to Tundra Mtn July 4 to 7, 2003

Bruce started it!!!!
He sent out an email looking for others who would like to do the Stein Valley trail, well…. response was overwhelming but we all know talk is cheap. Ended up just being two of us and I couldn’t take off a full week so we changed the trip a bit: hike into the alpine and bag a few peaks.

All geared up, we left Vancouver in the afternoon, made it to Lizzie Creek Forest Service Road in good time, ~4 km from the lake there had been a number of very large rocks deposited on the road. Looking up, the whole rock face above us looked like it was ready to slide, which ended up being a constant the whole trip ie: unconsolidated rock ready to go at any time. A little uneasing when your standing on a ridge or mtn top and all the rock looks ready to fall out from under your feet. Gets the adrenaline pumping.

Got to Lizzie lake Rec site in no time, thank god, I forgot how heavy a pack was. Turns out we could have got through the rocks as there were a few vehicles at the lake, oh well…. We were the only ones there, everyone else must be on the trail. We set up camp, started making dinner with the intention of getting to bed early for an early start….ya right! A couple arrived (by truck, missed the opportunity to hitch a ride) not long after us and set up camp, a little while later came over and invited us over to share the campfire and a beer. Lots of good conversation and a number of beers later it was 3:30ish am!!! Thanks Bryce and Shauna for the hospitality.

We bid them goodbye around noon the next day, feeling a little fuzzy but excited to start the hike. Funny trailhead: among the campsites there’s a non-descript sign that simply says: “trail”. A sunny day out!! From Lizzie it’s pretty much uphill (sweating) in the forest with some nice old growth all the way to the gates of Shang-ri-la. We’re now in a more alpine setting, more rock, less trees. We continue to follow a crystal clear creek that flows into Lizzie lake. Through a boulder field onto the flats and arrive at the hut. All the amenities you could dream of, just be sure to turn down the thermostat when you leave, ha ha. From this point we were hiking in the snow most of the time. Even though we had all the route finding info possible, the trail was buried and trail markers are at a minimum. So we scrambled around here and there, went up possibly the most difficult route to Arrowhead lake, note: stay to the right of the falls when going up next time, doh!!

Climbing up to Arrowhead lake afforded us more views of some surrounding snow-covered peaks, refuel with a snack near the falls, looking down at the hut and onto the gates of Shang-ri-la. Onward….again in the snow, can hear the raging creeks underfoot, walking very “lightly” on the snow & waiting to sink up to my waist…..it’s all good.

Heart lake is next, more vistas and excellent views of Anemon and Tabletop mtns which ended up being a big part of our scenery the rest of the trip. Onward past Heart lake, up, up, up. Getting late in the afternoon and we’ve got a good idea where we want to camp, it’s just a matter of getting there. Finally, at the base of Tabletop and around the back, we’re on a ridge at about 7000ft with a 360 degree vista of snowcovered peaks some close to 10,000ft!! (Skihist Mountain which is 2925 m, 9759 feet). We find a non snowy area with a perfect place to set up camp, layer up, make some FOOD and take in the views. With the topo we try to name all peaks we can see. Tundra mtn and Caltha lake and mtn are now part of the landscape. The ridge between Caltha & Tundra is the border of the Stein watershed. Enjoy all the shades of color the sunset has to offer, the moon has risen, is high in the sky and stars are now visible, brrrrrrr, it’s getting COLD!!! Call it a night, sleep comes quick, after the Pikas start their nocturnal show.

Refreshed after a good nights sleep. The sun is out and intense early in the morning. The intent of the trip was to camp in the alpine and see what peaks we could summit. The plan now is to summit Tundra and Tabletop and go from there. Pack light and head out for Tundra, 4 peaks in all, 3 lesser and Tundra proper. Down through Cheery Pip Pass, now we head up to the first peak, down and up to he second etc, we make 3 of the 4. The last would require technical gear or a LONG journey down and back up the far side. Flora and fauna: along the way we see what looks like a wolverine and a number of small birds, there are animal tracks everywhere. Mtn goats are insane, you had to see some of the tracks they were laying down!!! Alpine flowers of many varieties & colors are in bloom, such a contrast to see delicate flowers in what can be such a harsh environment. The sun is intense, lots of sunscreen, hat and shades. Heading back to camp is much quicker as boot sliding replaces making footholds down any slope with snow.

Back to camp, some of the peaks in the immediate area include: Aurora, Arrowhead, Lindisfarne, Meditation, Brimstone and Storm Peak along with the 1000 other peaks we can see. Relax enjoy the view, eating lots of good food (Hucks kicks butt). The next morning there are a few clouds, but the sun is not far away. Tabletop is our goal, a quick scramble from where we are up a steep line. At the top we have an amazing panorama as the clouds break. Back to camp, pack up and make our way out. Haven’t seen anyone for 2 days, very relaxing. Found a few sections of trail we missed on the way up, the hike must be much different (easier) Aug/Sept with less snow. Back at the truck, looking forward to a dip in Lillooet lake. We arrive at a Rec site, only a few campers this beautiful weekend, a few steps from a dip and realize there’s a swarm of mosquitoes around us, before we can get back in the truck we’ve sustained 5 or 6 bites each, carnivores they are. We stop along the FSR for a quick dip, not as many blood suckers. Now on the hunt for a beer and some real food.

The Wicked Wheel in Mt. Currie is great, excellent pizzas and beer. Another pit stop at the Husky at Creekside in Whistler for munchies and back on the road. Everything’s great, should make it home in good time…. NOT!! Between Squamish and Whistler the road is closed mon-fri 8pm to midnight for road work, doh!! We entertain ourselves hiking around VERY high up along the Cheakamus river canyon, talking to others stranded in line, playing a little disk and then crash out. I got home around 2:30 after dropping Bruce off.

Life’s one road trip after another…..

Crew: Chris & Bruce
Pics: Chris