Well, as promised I went on a pretty big trip over the weekend. Decided to go explore Marble Meadows in Strathcona Park with my good friend Tree. The trip started with a pretty mellow canoe across Buttle Lake from Augerpoint to Phillips Creek...although I didn't realize that Phillips Creek marine campsite is actually accessed right off of the creek...needless to say we spent a bit of time "touring" the shore of Buttle lake! After stashing the canoe, we headed up. Let me tell you - its a big stinking hike up - like 5 hours of climbing a switch-backy trail. The last 100 m up are a relatively exposed scramble between a couple of rock bluffs.
Looking back towards Buttle Lake from the top of the climb to Marble Meadows
Photo by Tree Murdock
Looking at Marble Peak from our camp site on Marsh Marigold Lake
Photo by Tree Murdock
We pretty much collapsed at the second nice campsite we came across, and gave up on trying to find the Wheaton Hut our first night in. Woke up to great weather Sunday and went out with our day-packs on. Attempted Marble Peak, but being unsure of the route, didn't quite make it to the summit. After that, we headed for the Wheaton Hut, and eventually found it after going most of the way around Marblerock lake and back. I must say, the mini-outhouse has the best view of any toilet I have ever used!
Tree scrambles across one of the tighter bits on the way up Marble Peak
Photo by Andrew Gower
View from the toilet at the Wheaton Hut
Photo by Tree Murdock
Monday morning we woke up with some light rain, broke camp and headed down. It was a long way down too - around three hours. To make the end of the trip extra exciting there was a pretty good wind blowing down the lake and steady 2-3 foot waves with white caps!!! All in all, an excellent trip and definitely a place I would go back too.
Mt. McBride as seen from the flanks of Marble Peak
Photo by Tree Murdock
Here's what our camp site looked like from Marble Peak - Globe Flower Lake is in the foreground and Marsh Marigold is in the background
Photo by Tree Murdock
Here's me on the side of Marble Peak with Marble Meadows in the background. The prominent peak on the left is the Golden Hinde and the spire to the right is Morrison Spire
Photo by Tree Murdock
Waterfall on the trail to the Wheaton Hut
Photo by Tree Murdock
The Wheaton Hut!
Photo by Tree Murdock
Marble Peak from the West with Marblerock Lake in the foreground
Photo by Tree Murdock