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We couldn't have asked for a nicer day to stand atop
Eaton Peak and take in the view. Irek Jasiak organized
this one day, C 3/4 trip and had an enthusiastic turn
out of 11 BCMC members (at least I think they were all
members) and 2 North Shore hikers. Most of the group
met at the 160th Street Park and Ride at 7:00am and
after one stop in Chilliwack we continued on, taking
Exit 168 and then our first right on to Silver Skagit
Road. The trail head is 16.4km from this intersection
and is at an elevation of 440 meters.
With only day packs, it wasn't long before we were
on our way. The trail climbed steadily to the first
bridge, switching back a number of times before a magnificent
waterfall came into view. Eaton Creek positively roars
almost the entire way down from its inception at Eaton
Lake and you get several views of it along the way which
can be used as a good excuse to stop and catch your
breath.
After the first bridge we moved away from the thundering
creek and into the quiet and clam of the forest. The
day was already quite warm and after the cool fresh
air coming off the creek it felt downright muggy. The
trail continued to climb, switching back and forth.
At about the half way mark there is a bench beside a
smaller tributary which makes a nice place for a break.
Shortly after the rest stop, we met back up with Eaton
Creek and the real work began. The grade was considerably
steeper for the next 1.5km, gaining about 1000ft. The
last 1.5km to the lake was an easy hike crossing a boulder
field and two more bridges before reaching the lake
at 6.5km.
We stopped for lunch at the lake, admiring the scenery
and swatting bugs. This lake is full of rainbow trout,
particularly where it drains into the river. There is
room for a few tents and the shoreline drops off steeply
enough to dive in and cool off.
After lunch, we left the relative comfort of the trail
and began crashing through the underbrush towards the
tree line. There was no trial but by moving up in a
westerly direction we soon left the forest behind us
and stood on the snow with the peak towering over us
and the lake far below us.
After a short break in the meadow, we took our ice
axes off our packs and proceeded up the snowy slopes.
Unfortunately, Michael had pulled a calf muscle and
elected to stay behind. We switched back in the brilliant
sunshine all the way up to the base of the north ridge
where we stopped to put on our harnesses and put away
our axes. A Class 3 scramble brought us to the snowy
ridge. There were plenty of good hand and footholds
but the rock was often loose and/or wet which made it
interesting in spots.
After hiking along the ridge, Rhys made a steep, exposed
traverse look easy. Not so easy however since the majority
of us decided that we were roping up before following
him! It took a while to get the rope set up and for
the remaining 12 of us to prusik across but I think
that the general consensus was that it was better to
take the time and be safe. Some more scrambling brought
us to another exposed bit where we used the rope. One
long final scramble and we were at the summit with a
360 degree view of the surrounding mountains including
the Chilliwack range to the South West(?). It was warm
so we basked in the sunshine and in the glow of our
accomplishment for about half an hour before scrambling
back down the West ridge.
The snow was nice and soft but slippery in spots allowing
several in our group to practice self arresting. Once
down the steep bit, Irek & Julia glissaded down
to the meadow; a fun, albeit wet ride! Michael was waiting
for us and the rest of the group arrived shortly thereafter.
We plunged back into the forest for the bushwhack back
down to the lake which looked very inviting after the
sweaty, muddy decent. Irek, Thomas & Julia went
for a quick dip in the icy cold waters before we got
back on the trail, making our way back down to the cars
by 7:30.
Many thanks to Irek for organizing this great trip
and to Mother Nature for the perfect weather. We all
had a wonderful time and are looking forward to our
next adventure!
Total trip time including breaks was 10.5 hours. Total
distance traveled approximately 20km. Total elevation
gain 5477ft.
Trip Report | Photo
Gallery
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