Allan, Mount

Dist: 16.3km    Elev: 1400m    Summit: 9249'    Time: 6h    Difficulty: 4/5

Faced once again with a day set aside for trekking yet less-than-deal weather conditions, Byron and I opted to take our chances on a the Mount Allan summit which is known for both its strenuous ascent and spectacular views. Unfortunately bad weather only affects one of these factors and we spent the majority of the day engulfed in a thick wet cloud with visibility sometimes limited to only the trail a few feet ahead. There were a few interesting features along the way including colorful wildflowers, a few mountain critters, and interesting rock formations along the route, but the highlight of the trip was easily climbing out of the fog right at the summit and getting views of cloud-swaddled peaks beneath a blue sky over lunch. After some good laughs and general summit silliness (attributed to the thin air), we reluctantly descended back into the mist and returned the way we came. I consider most days in the mountains a success, but I was sure grateful for Byron's company and conversation during this trip. Perhaps we'll be back some day to give it another try.

The route is very easy to find.

Final views before ascending into the clouds.

Wildflowers along the misty trail.

This grouse led the way up for a good portion of the initial climb.

"Views" of an upcoming scramble along the ridge.

Lots of large rocks to wind through.

Some very large indeed.

Entertaining myself by taking pictures of lichen...

Emerging from the haze!

A curious old marmot. 

Arriving at the summit, finally getting some views!

Summit pose. I stood on a rock to avoid the usual Byron-dwarfing effect.

Summit panorama, looking west at Mt Lougheed.

Back down we go.

Byron checking out "The Claw" in the rock garden.

The mist begins to thin near the valley floor. Almost done.