My third new peak of the year, Mount Myra at 1808m! Mount Myra isn't the tallest mountain I've climbed (Mt Arrowsmith for the moment) but this was the most elevation gain I've done on any hike. 1586m total, 5203 feet!
This hike starts off at the Myra Falls Mine at the very South end of Buttle Lake. The first 1km is on level ground down a graded mining road. Once you are at the actual trailhead you are heading up an old service road that was used to build the Tennent Lake damn, used to power the mine. This part of the trail is uneventful and there are no great views until you are near Tennent Lake.
It is roughly 4.7km and 700m of elevation gain from the parking lot to the lake. Most people camp here, it gets a little rougher from if you are carrying on!
The trail from Tennent Lake to Sandbag lake required a bit of scrambling to get up and through. Easier without 40lbs on your back. Harder to come down a couple spots with a pack on your back as well. The clouds had moved in limiting visibility and started a light rain which didn't last too long. It was an additional 3km to Sandbag Lake and another 330m of elevation gain.
I got to Sandbag Lake around 1:30. Found a perfect spot to set up and ate some lunch. That done, I packed the day pack and started my way up the mountain again.
Most of the trail from here followed a loose path following cairns up the mountain. The clouds were coming and going and I never knew what kind of view I would get at the top.
The last push to the top of Mount Myra was pretty steep and a bit exposed. I love scrambling up the steep sections!
Eventually I made it to the top around 5pm and had the summit to myself! From Sandbag Lake it was 3km and 462m of elevation gain to the peak. I stayed there for awhile and left just before the clouds surrounded the mountain.
Visibility was poor and often you couldn't see the next cairn. I was prepared and wouldn't have gone up the mountain in those conditions if I wasn't but it still makes you nervous! I slowly found my way down the mountain and made it back to camp around 7pm. After a late dinner, I waited for the sunset and got eaten alive by bugs.
Sandbag Lake is a great spot to watch the sunset. Next time I may try to set up at a different location to get a better and closer view.
A ptarmigan was near camp, calling out into the night for a while keeping me up. Eventually, it got super cold and it made for a bit of an uncomfortable night but it was so worth it.
I took my time on the hike down. It was steep and knee jarring so it was nice to stop regularly and take some pictures. I made it back to the parking lot around 1pm.
21.65km, 1586m. A tough one but I loved it!
Comentarios