As a multi-day heavy-pack hike, HSCT is a nasty multi-hump-backed monster.
As a peak bagging adventure artery, it is essential.
As a trail run, it is spectacular. There are few finer trial-running stretches than the single-track swoosh down from Hat Pass to Deeks Lake, past azure lakes, waterfalls, giant trees, and glorious peaks.
One tip: old HSCT goes down, down, down, east of St David Peak, descending towards a lake, and losing and gaining almost as much elevation of would be done via the peak itself). Surely more interesting to go over St David Peak, along the new route? If you are heading N-S, pay attention at the mini-meadow at the foot of the Harvey clearcut (presently a glorious food bar of all varieties of blueberries): the trail splits between the two options (with the St David Peak path, right, being the more obscure one). Heading S-N you also have to be on your toes: at a small tarn, do not follow the dominant (old) path, but look up for a narrow but obvious trail (with flags) heading up.
Lions (L); St James Peak (M); St David Peak (R)
Comments
Awesome job!
I thought you guys were out to run the HCST, not bag peaks? Goodness, given the number of peaks you and the non-baggers bagged, I'm sure glad I risked life and limb to bag the West Lion!
What time did you guys get back to the car? I checked in to monitor interest in going for beer and poutine around 8:00 but you were either out of reach or home in bed.
Congrats to Simon and Roy!
WOW - looks stunning!
Judging by the photo, weather looks to have held up very nicely. Great stuff, David! See you this weekend at SIS or MHM?
Actually classic Vancouver...
....milky clouds for 9/10. By Hat we were rewarded with views, and by Brunswick Lake, the beautiful and myriad greens and blues of the region were gloriously illuminated.