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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Fossil Peak |
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View south from Fossil Peak summit. Bonnet Glacier and Peak upper left |
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| Trip Summary | |||
Multiple Dates, last September 21, 2022
An easy ascent above Deception Pass with classic Skoki views. Winter ski trips are also feasible but fatalities caused by avalanche have occurred in the past, resulting in Memorial Plaque at Fossil summit. Distance is fairly long, but travel generally fast and I tend to repeat this outing with some dose of regularity late September before first snow while larches are still golden yellow. As usual 4.3 km walk on Temple access road is prerequisite. Make plenty of noise and carry bear spray - I've seen grizzlies around Hidden Lake junction / Boulder Pass environs on several occasions.
Approach follows main Skoki trail to Deception Pass, 2.5 - 3 hrs of moderate pace from Fish Parking. Peak is directly above and any line will do. Traverse heather then find talus trail that alleviates some of rubble fest lower down. Upper half is more lose, but nothing more difficult than many other Rockies Talus slopes. Eventually top up at small saddle on summit ridge; turn right and follow trail to Memorial Plaque and Fossil Summit, 1.5 - 2hrs from Deception Pass. Views are fantastic and include many other Skoki destinations (see Gallery). Return is the same way and will be considerably faster, but headlamp is still good idea for Fall trips if you intend to enjoy sunset from Fossil summit as I did on several occasions.
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Gallery |
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 Halfway Junction
New for 2022: Parks "Biodiversity" Panel at Halfway Hut / Hidden Lake Junction. Ptarmigan Peak above |
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 Bear Print
Fresh Bear Print in muddy section of trail just below Boulder Pass - make plenty of noise and carry bear spray |
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 Ptarmigan Lake
Always incredibly beautiful Ptarmigan Lake at Boulder Pass. Fossil Peak distant center left |
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 Ptarmigan Panorama
Hiking around Ptarmigan Lake on main Skoki Trail. Heather Ridge just right of center |
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 Fossil Slope
Fossil Peak from Deception Pass. Leave Skoki trail and head up aiming to intercept talus trail as grass transitions to scree roughly center |
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 Baker Lake
Baker Lake from lower Fossil slopes. Brachiopod Peak upper right corner |
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 Brachiopod Peak
Brachiopod Peak from upper Fossil Slopes. Sawback trail traverses long valley to the left from distant Pulsatilla Pass |
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 Fossil Summit
Topping up by Fossil Peak Memorial Plaque |
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 Tilted and Lychnis
Summit view of Tilted Peak (center right) and Mt. Lychnis (upper center), aproached via "Tilted Valley" from Baker Lake |
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 Pipestone Mountain
Pipestone Mountain above Red Deer River Valley to the north |
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 Baker Lake
Baker Lake Aerial View can be enjoyed by descending briefly south summit ridge |
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 Devon Giants
Telephoto of prominent Devon Lakes area Peaks, including 11000'er Willingdon and elusive Harris |
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 Skoki Sunset
Beautiful Sunset Colors on descent back to Deception Pass; Ptarmigan Lake center right |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D5 | Trail hiking to Deception Pass, followed by Talus scramble, lose in upper part. Fairly long day | |||
| Snow Factor | S4 | Ascents done somewhat regularly on skis, but fatalities have occurred (Memorial Plaque on summit). Careful evaluation of snow conditions and experience required | |||
| Scenery | Classic Skoki, best enjoyed with Falls colors on. Great aerial view of Sawback Trail north part from the summit. Red Deer River Valley and distant Devon Lakes area to the North | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Excellent / None | Established and marked main Skoki trail to Deception pass, none above but way is obvious | |||
| Suggested Time | 9 hr | Return time on foot from Fish Creek parking lot. Bicycle should save ~45min (return). Hitching a ride on Temple fireroad will shave off 30-40 minutes each way. | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1680m Max: 2940m Total: ~1200m | Round Trip: 28km | |||
| Gear | Hiking boots, poles and gaiters; snowshoes or skis in winter. Avalanche gear mandatory in winter. | ||||
| Water | Hidden Lake outlet, Ptarmigan Lake. Carry 1-2L depending on season | ||||
| Dog Friendly | Yes | No on-leash restrictions. Note that Skoki is prime griz-country and several dog related accidents have occurred in the past | |||
Fossil Peak GAIA Map
Fossil Mtn from Baker Lake Junction Elevation Profile