Scrambles - Mt. Fairview and Saddle Mountain

Thinking this would be our last weekend of good scrambling weather, Anita and I pounded up Mt. Fairview in the Lake Louise area yesterday. They should consider renaming it Mt. Stupendousview, because the views from the top are that nice. Starting in a nice lush forest, the trail quickly gave way to beautiful larches aflame in the golden hues of fall, before opening up to the steep ascent towards the summit from Saddleback Pass, for a total of 1000m of elevation gain. It was technically easy (though one could argue physically challenging), being largely just a steep hike with no actual scrambling required.

And because Saddleback Pass sits between Fairview (~2700m) and an adjacent smaller peak, Saddle Mountain (~2400m), I extended the day by ascending both peaks just to be able to claim I bagged 2 summits in one day.




The initial part of the hike through lush forest would have been a mycologist's dream. Mushrooms everywhere!


Beautiful larches turning colour.






Saddleback Pass and Saddle Mountain below us.


Switchbacking up to the summit, with Haddo peak in the background.


Mt. Temple served as the backdrop to our ascent up from Saddleback Pass.








Views of Haddo Peak, Mt. Lefroy, and Mt. Victoria from the summit of Fairview.


Mt. Victoria, Collier's Peak, Pope's Peak, and Mt. Whyte.






Apparently this is a thing these days? These three gals spent a good 20 minutes on the summit in various states of undress as they Go Pro'd themselves and each other.




Looking back at Mt. Fairview, from the Summit of Saddle Mountain.


The valley between Mt. Temple and Haddo's peak, as seen from the summit of Saddle Mountain.


On our descent, we got to re-hike through the beautiful larch forest.