Fairview Mountain

Dist: 10.1km    Elev: 1025m    Summit: 9002'    Time: 4h    Difficulty: 3/5

I somehow convinced Jeff to join me for an early morning larch-hunting blitz to celebrate his birthday and also what is likely to be my last trip to the mountains before some significant changes at the Stephenson household. We left Calgary around 5am, headed for the Mount Fairview trailhead at Lake Louise, and enjoyed some great conversations along the way. Apparently, with enough coffee, anyone can be a morning person. In addition to great summit views, I also hoped for some late September colours on our way through Saddleback Pass which is known for its high concentration of alpine larches.

We parked at the upper Lake Louise parking lot just after 7am, making a quick detour by the lake before the area became inundated with crowds. We then followed the well-signed Saddleback Pass trail, climbing along forested switchbacks at a consistently moderate grade before eventually emerging from the trees. Views from this point on were consistently good all the way to the summit, even in the dim morning light and under a dark overcast sky. Saddleback Pass was especially scenic, brimming with beautiful golden larches and positioned below many impressive surrounding peaks. Another hour or so later, after a more steep and involved climb up the rocky and snow-dusted trail, we arrived at the Fairview summit. 

Views exploded immediately as we crested the ridge,  revealing 360 degree vistas of the Lake Louise region and Bow Valley below. Summit conditions were cold and windy without the protection of the mountain and we stayed just long enough to snap some pictures and share a cup of lukewarm (at best) coffee from Jeff's thermos. We returned the way we came, arriving back at the car in just over 4 hours total.

Fairview Mountain was an excellent half-day option with great views and an impressive larch display. Definitely one of of the best reward-to-effort hikes in the area. Equally fulfilling was the quality time with Jeff. I have enjoyed an incredible summer of mountain adventuring and look forward to getting back to the trails, maybe even with a new hiking companion!

 

Emerging from the trees. Saddle Mountain beyond.

First views. Bow Valley and cloudy sunrise.

Saddleback Pass and its golden larches.

Saddleback Pass, looking back.

Starting ascent to Fairview summit.

Mount Haddo.

Looking back at Mt Temple, Sheol, and Haddo as we near the summit.

Jeff's classic "power lunge" pose.

Fairview summit and massive cairn.

Summit selfie.

Interesting rock features on the summit ridge.

Lake Louise far below. Mount St. Piran directly across.

Returning to Saddleback Pass on descent.