A few minutes into the trip, we cross the Vermillion River.
Numa Mountain Numa Mountain can be ascended from Floe Lake, but having been to Floe Lake and wanting to avoid the 13 km approach, Dinah and I opted for a more direct route, one we hoped would minimize bushwhacking. We would hike up the Floe Lake Trail for about six km to an avalanche slope and then head straight to the summit. Due to tree cover, there was little to see on the trail, so we were glad to reach the avalanche slope and start climbing. And climb we would, up an unrelenting grade. Routefinding required going straight up, save for bearing left whenever we encountered cliffs. Higher up, we angled left so as not to climb over the knob at GR587623, which would add unnecessary elevation gain. A 1500 m climb was enough for us. Views were sorely missing on our route. The scenery seen from the avalanche slope was impressive but that soon ended. After topping the slope there was less to see because of trees and intervening ridges. Even when Numa Mountain came into view it appeared to be little more than a scree pile. After plodding up the south slopes we reached the summit. Numa provided a ringside seat to impressive peaks such as Mount Ball and Foster Peak, but unfortunately, haze and clouds dimmed the scenery. After a short stay, we returned the same way we came up. |
A few minutes into the trip, we cross the Vermillion River.
Floe Lake Trail
Starting up the avalanche slope
Part way up, the trail lies far below in the trees.
We'll bear left before reaching the cliffs.
We head left below the cliffs.
Had we the time and energy, it would have been fun to explore these rocks.
We bypass more cliffs and go into a sparsely treed slope.
A butterfly (meadow fritillary) joins us for lunch (mouse over for another view.)
After our respite, we break out onto another avalanche slope.
Not much to see ahead. We soon start angling left to avoid the knob.
Finally we see Numa Mountain.
We hike above the treeline.
As we get closer, it begins to look like a pile of scree!
In the background, the south section of The Rockwall
Foster Peak to the southwest
Looking south at the knob: we traversed on the west side.
The summit ridge
The summit
Vermilion Peak and Mount Haffner in the foreground. Stanley Peak on the right.
Mount Ball
Heading down
Dinah tries the stone sofa at the foot of the avalanche slope.
View from the top of Numa Mountain
82 N/1 Mount Goodsir
