Eagle Pass Mountain
Eagle Pass Mountain is located in the Monashee Range, north of the TransCanada Highway, overlooking Eagle Pass between Sicamous and Revelstoke. Access is by mountain backroads. The Crazy Creek Forest Service Road angles up the hill and after a few junctions, the final climb up the Eagle Pass Road winds up to a small parking area at the trailhead. The road is in good shape, but best suited to high clearance vehicles. We got an early start for the longer drive to the trail.
The trail starts by winding up through the forest, then it emerges into an area of sloping meadows, always traversing uphill to the northeast. The first half is a steady climb, but not to steep.
The route continues to the northeast, passing under a series of rocky crags, winding up to a summit ridge.
The second half of the hike is relentlessly steep, climbing to the top of Eagle Pass Mountain.
The final approach follows an open ridge, mostly avoiding rock bands, winding up a very steep slope. There were some fixed ropes in place to help hikers going up and then back down.
From the summit were wide views. To the north the rugged peaks in the North Monashee Range seemed endless. We could see the glaciers on the Selkirk Mountains on the other side of the Columbia River to the southeast. The highway could be seen far below.
The remains of the old fire lookout have half a wall still standing, but the interior is littered with junk, waiting to be hauled out.
The hike was about 8 km with 812 m (2664 ft) of elevation gain. The views were open to enjoy the rugged terrain for half the hike and the wildflowers were in bloom for the whole route. Streams ran down the slopes, marmots whistled as we hiked, but the area was quiet and serene, definitely worth a whole day of traveling and hiking.
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