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Rockies :: Icefields :: Quartzite Col

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Hiking Alpine meadows on Quartzite west side, aiming for transition between dark and light talus just right of center

July 8, 2023

Infamous Express Route into Siffleur Wilderness,  commonly used by mountaineers heading for Mt. Willingdon. There is plenty of contradicting - and confusing - information about Quartzite Col route on Internet, ranging from "easy scramble" to "difficult and dangerous".   Aiming to gather accurate information both for purpose of this site, and personal future exploits I decided on day hike with light pack from Mosquito Trailhead, as presented on this page. 

Leave main Mosquito Trail at Forks, ~4km from the Parking, just before crossing the bridge about 15min before MO5 campground (Waypoint "1 - Forks").  Faint, but generally well defined trail follows left (east) side of Mosquito North Creek and is easy to follow.  In about an hour sizable creek comes in from the left;  it drains rarely visited meadows below Watermelon S2 (also called OXO or Puzzle Peak, usually climbed from South Dolomite Pass on the other side).  Easiest spot to cross without taking boots off is by heading slightly up this creek.  Trail now completely disappears.  It appears most people now bushwhack along Mosquito North to prominent drainage ~1km further up, but there is better way.   Be on a lookout for flags at east side ~5min past Watermelon Creek (Waypoint "2 - Ford").  Ford here is very easy - just a simple rock-hop.  Trail heads into forest, but soon fades away.  I followed minor dry watercourse till it petered out, then hiked up diagonally thinning forest towards large boulder field below Quartzite Peak (see Gallery).   Quartzite Col now comes into view and route finding is over.  Ensuing part through open meadows is very pleasant, but be aware of bears - plenty of diggings.  Below the col, as grass transitions into talus (~1hr from Mosquito North),  some cairns appear, as well as bits of trail aiming for spot on the ridge to climber right of low saddle.  This is critical part if you plan crossover as it is the easiest spot to descend on the other side.  It will take less than 30min from end of meadows, 3.5 - 4 hrs from Icefields (more with overnight pack).

East side is much steeper and more difficult.  Anyone in doubt should do a similar dayhike first to evaluate conditions - coming here with overnight pack to find out descent is not to their liking and having to return would be quite a waste.  It is also worth nothing such dayhike is worthy trip by itself as views into Siffleur are fantastic, including Clearwater Mountain with Mt. Willingdon / Crown behind Clearwater Pass.   On my trip I returned the same way, but with enough time/energy it is possible to extend the day by descending to upper Mosquito North, then looping back by Watermelon Meadows below Puzzle Peak

Conclusion:   Quartzite Col route, while offering substantial time saving, is by margin more difficult when compared to other two Siffleur crossovers I used in the past (Hikers Molar Pass and Scramblers Mosquito Col).  There is plenty off trail hiking, creek fords and route finding - on both sides.  East side, while not desperate, is very steep and challenging, specially with overnight pack.   Conditions should be snow free, otherwise it is mountaineering.   If you are first time visitor to the area, do yourself a favour and approach Siffleur via Fish Lakes / Pipestone Pass. This is one of most scenic back-country routes Rockies have to offer and mostly easy going.  Fish Lakes have Parks official campground, but bivi can also be made by Moose Lake ~1hr from Fish Lakes. For experienced people, specially if Willingdon climb is ultimate goal, Quartzite col is probably way to go. But even then conditions will play big role and crossover should not be attempted too early in season.

Gallery

Creek Ford

Easy Rock Hop without need to get boots off.  Noseeum Peak in the distance