May 5, 2026
~ submitted by Melanie Yu
5040 is one of those hikes that, in my opinion, offers some of the best panoramic mountain views for the relatively short effort required to reach the summit. It’s a mountain that is attainable for most hikers.
When you’re first getting into hiking, this hike can feel like the hardest hike in the world, but the rewards at the top makes every step worth it. To find better views than 5040, you usually have to commit to objectives well over 1000 m of elevation gain.
Although I’ve done this hike four times, I have never stayed at the hut. Every time I passed by on a day hike, I wished I could stop and spend the night there. Booking the hut in May was also a gamble. I knew there was a chance we’d get absolutely no views as I was also booking almost 2 months in advance but was willing to take the risk.
Not long ago, I was completely new to hiking myself and had no idea where to start. I solo-hiked often because I was afraid of holding others back, and through that I learned from my own suffering and mistakes…but I deeply wished that in my journey, I had an opportunity to hike with a supportive group wanted to eventually pursue bigger objectives. I told myself that one day, when I felt strong and confident enough, I’d start leading hikes for the club and give back to newer members. At least give it a try. Making this a club trip felt like a natural decision.
Leading hikes for the club has been incredibly rewarding and I am still learning valuable skills along the way. This was my first overnight leading, and I also took on the challenge purposing the trip for newer hikers, which meant helping hikers who were new to backpacking. Thankfully, with a solid prep list, it didn’t feel overwhelming!
One thing this winter season has really highlighted is how quickly the snowpack is disappearing during shoulder season. Wet, unstable snow and terrain traps like tree wells become much more of a concern as temperatures rise.
The snow became patchy and heavy in the final 500 m before the lake, then more consistent afterward. I debated putting on snowshoes but decided that kick-stepping would provide better footing for the group.
I was surprised that tracks from the previous day had already disappeared, especially considering how busy the trail had been over the weekend. It was a good reminder of how quickly the warming temperatures were changing conditions daily.
A few days earlier I led another trip, but I felt I was feeling good enough to break trail for the group and kick steps to the hut. Some sections were difficult to navigate because we couldn’t follow the actual summer trail, and as a group, we eventually decided to take a “shortcut” and bushwhack directly uphill to the hut.
I’ve been getting more comfortable with bushwhacking over the last year, but this was everyone else’s first real off-trail experience, and it nearly wiped us out. I started feeling guilty seeing how exhausted everyone was, so we stopped to rest in the trees…only to realize we were less than 100 m from the hut!
After refueling and settling in, we chatted with another couple staying there, Joe and Tegan.
One brave Rambler was interested in joining me for the sunset at the summit. I also wasn’t sure how my legs would hold up after taking on the kick-stepping earlier (Training for Comox Glaciers right?)
In the end, the hike to the summit felt easy…for both of us!
As the sun began to set, the sky constantly shifted through soft pastel and alpenglow colors, and we couldn’t stop taking photos of the horizon. Near the summit, my hiking partner shared that the experience was so breathtaking, it got her emotional because she felt so alive.
That was my favorite moment of the trip. What she experienced was exactly what hit me when I first discovered hiking and mountaineering: total catharsis.
There’s something indescribable about the first time nature affects you so deeply that all you can do is stand there and feel it. No matter what you’re going through in your life at that moment, it didn’t matter, at least in those moments. No amount of money in the world could ever replace that feeling, it can only be earned and experienced.
I could feel her gratitude, and I felt genuinely honored to inadvertently provide this gift of an experience for someone else.
We stayed at the summit longer than planned, but before leaving, Joe had his professional camera and captured a beautiful photo of the two of us at sunset.
Even though we stayed up far too late talking and connecting at the hut, I still forced myself awake before sunrise to photograph the mountains in the morning light. I’ve never taken so many photos of the exact same view before, but every shift in light felt like an entirely new moment worth capturing.
Hopefully the photos do it justice.
The descent felt quick, although the rapidly melting snow made it more frustrating than the day before. Snowline had started around 850 m the previous day, but by the following afternoon it had already receded to roughly 1000 m.
On the way down, we reflected on our favorite parts of the trip, and one Rambler said their favorite moment was actually the bushwhacking. A true Rambler at heart! and now likely hooked on bigger mountain objectives after this.
Reflecting on the trip, I felt incredibly proud of everyone and what we each accomplished. Hiking is such a rewarding experience: shared suffering, shared effort, and shared joy. There really is something to be said for “the art of suffering.”
I took a chance leading something outside my comfort zone, but it was completely worth it.
Three of the photos included were taken by Joe. Thanks again for the beautiful shots! You can check out more of his photography and videos at @joekeca on Instagram.