June 29-30, 2019
~ submitted by Jamai Schile
The party of six Ramblers set off from the well marked parking area on Western Mine Road. From there the group started the trail that climbs and weaves its way into the alpine. The relatively gentle gradient that gains 1,100 meters to the ridge crests at kilometre 8. The trail is dispersed with a few rolling treed areas that offer some relief from the grade as well as an impressive view point over looking the Myra Falls mine site.
The look out was a great lunch stop before facing the more strenuous leg of the trail. From the look out the gradients increases and three false lips await. Just when you think you’ve made the ridge, more trail lays ahead. Not to be daunted by this the group walked on and we were rewarded with the panoramic views of Buttle Lake and Mt Myra. The trek into the alpine also brought with it a variety of alpine vegetation, such as pink mountain heather, lupines, paintbrush, columbine and very hungry mosquitoes.
We made camp at about kilometre 9 in easy walking distance of a tarn to gather fresh water. We also had the opportunity to join fellow hikers Julianna and Mike and learned a bit more about the history of the trail. In years past, first camp was the location of a fire watch hut. The trail that we had just travelled was constructed to allow crews to walk out to the lake below when the weather was too poor for helicopters.
Next day the weather improved to blue skies and the mosquitoes returned to feast. Besting the bugs we kept moving and set out for a short day hike to explore more of the ridge and see if we could get a view of Mt. Septimus-Rosseau before breaking camp and heading back to the car.
Overall, Flower Ridge is one of the most enjoyable ways to access the alpine and to surround yourself with a 360 mountain view. Don’t go in June – July without Ben’s!