Pedley Pass & Ridge

Dist: 9.8km    Elev: 590m    Time: 4.5h    Difficulty: 3/5

Some people enjoy spending their holidays relaxing with "no agenda" and as few scheduled activities as possible. I am not that kind of person. Instead, I prefer planning activities to anticipate and then deriving a sense of accomplishment from their completion. So nobody was surprised when I started talking about hiking during our family holiday. This trip almost didn't happen due to unexpectedly hot weather and the realistic limitations of Matt and Sharla being only 3 months into parenthood, but after some honest conversations and a little creativity we came up with a winning plan to accommodate all interested parties and their respective needs for the day.

We started nice and early to beat the heat, leaving our B&B just after 6am and arriving at the trailhead about a half hour later. The mining road to reach the trailhead was a bit rough but our little SUVs handled it without issue. Being Matt and Sharla's first hike with Zane, we took two vehicles to leave the option for them to turn around as needed, and also did the loop counterclockwise in hopes of all reaching at least the pass together.

The trail started with a gradual and consistent forested incline, leveling briefly at "Bumpy Meadows" where we got our first views of the day. We arrived at Pedley Pass after about an hour from the vehicle and were greeted by an excellent panorama of Mt Aeneas and surrounding meadows. Matt and Sharla were feeling good and Zane was fast asleep (as usual) so we all decided to make our way to a small tarn located in a cirque just west of the pass. The tarn was quite scenic and we encountered a group of random campers enjoying a beautiful breakfast view along the shore. After a few photos we returned to the pass and Matt and Sharla finally decided to call it a day, rightfully pleased with a successful first family hike. Lloyd and I elected to continue upwards and complete the loop via Pedley Ridge.

The ridge walk provided big views of mountain ranges in all directions, slightly obscured by hazy skies from what we assumed were distant wildfire. We made good time and enjoyed lighthearted and thought-provoking conversation while working our way along the undulating ridge. The trail was rocky and uneven at times but always distinct and never with any real exposure. We encountered our first group of hikers about half way along the ridge and passed many more on the gentle switchbacks as we descended.

Pedley Pass proved to be every bit as scenic as I had hoped, but the real highlights were getting to witness Matt and Sharla's excitement from completing their first hike with Zane, and bonding with Lloyd over a common goal and physical challenge. We arrived back at home base just before noon and enjoyed a well-earned "no agenda" afternoon with the rest of the gang. 

Trailhead marker.

First views of the sandy Stanford Range as we ascend.

Bumpy Meadows, named for the lumpy frost heaves. 

Looking back as we near the pass.

Pedley Pass in the morning sunshine. The tarn is the in the bowl to the right.

Impressive Mt Aeneas.

Pedley Tarn.

Matt, Sharla and Zane celebrating their first family hike!

Views as Lloyd and I climb to the ridge.

Pedley Overlook.

Lloyd, unlike someone, remembered his "real" camera. 

Pedley Ridge from the overlook.

Looking back from the ridge highpoint.

Lloyd admiring the big peaks to the west.

Final ridge section.

One last look before descending back into the trees.