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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Lipalian - Purple Mound

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Panoramic view north from Lipalian summit with connecting ridge to Purple Mound directly in front

July 20, 2020

First part of well-known winter ski "Pumpkin Traverse",  ridgewalk from Mt. Lipalian to Purple Mound is one of best in BNP!  It is a great trip year-round and in summer Larch Chair ski-outs provide easy access to the alpine.  Mt. Lipalian is included in A. Kane guidebook (3rd edition), but it is just an easy off-trail hike with only mild difficulty boulder field above Larch Chair upper Terminal.  Views are phenomenal throughout.  Loop descent via secluded "Purple Valley" is highly recommended;  alpine tarn in upper part of this valley below Unity Peak is simply delightful.   It is also prime grizzly bear habitat so make lots of noise.  Possible extension include scramble of Unity Peak (moderate, class 3),  Wolverine Ridge crossover or full Pumpkin Traverse connecting with Redoubt Lake in Skoki (very long day).

From Fish Creek parking walk Temple Lodge access road to first ski run near road end (~4km, 45min) and go up.  There is no trail.  Make lots of noise as grizzly bears are seen frequently feeding here.  Further up ski run splits,  either way will do, but left is more direct (and steeper); both join further up.   It is best to follow ski run all the way to upper Larch terminal, although one can also shortcut directly up when it curls sharp left, already in the alpine.  Boulder slope above Ski terminal is only mild challenge.  Either go directly up little rise, or even better angle left towards obvious talus slope below low saddle on horizon which is then reached easily following bit of path beaten in scree.  Turn right and walk to Lipalian summit in another 15min or so with breathtaking views all round.  Purple Mound ridgewalk is to the east and is every bit delightful as it looks.  Unexpected tarn, revealed from the saddle, would be nice solitary bivi spot.  Beyond Purple Mound this gentle ridge becomes more rugged, so unless going for Unity Peak it is best to descend directly north aiming initially for Wolverine Ridge then angling right towards top of Purple Valley.  Alpine Tarn there is scenic overload, in particular in Autumn when abundant golden larches put whole area on fire.  Easiest descent stays on skier right side of the valley following creek draining the tarn;  if you go left, there are some unpleasant boulders.  Reaching valley floor cross over to left side and lower down find faint trail (flag) that descends to main Skoki trail, just before two-log bridge some 10-15 min from end of Temple road. Note that direct descent from Wolverine Ridge is very steep and bushy;  if you extend the trip to traverse Wolverine Ridge it is not recommended to attempt descent that way.

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