Elevation Gain (m): 300
Trip Date: September 26, 2013
Total Trip Distance (km): 7
Quick ‘n Dirty Rating: Class 1/2 – you fall, you sprain your ego
Difficulty Notes: No difficulties – this is just a hike. There are some easy scrambling sections and there are some branches in the trail towards The Cave which might be a bit confusing.
Technical Rating: TL3; YDS (Hiking)
GPS Track: Download
Map: Google Maps
On my second full day in the Berg Lake area I once again woke to a perfectly clear sky. I realized how lucky I was – many folks never see the summit of Robson while in the area and I was getting all kinds of views on my trip! My original plan was to attempt Mumm Peak and I decided to stick with it, especially since I had some fresh beta from a ranger who passed by the Hargreaves cook shelter on Wednesday evening. In order to ascend Mumm Peak, I was going to first ascend the Mumm Basin trail from the Robson Pass campground. This would get me above tree line on a good trail and by ascending it from the Robson Pass CG I would end up right under the easy “dragon back” leading to the snow slopes accessing the summit ridge. On the way back down I would continue on the Mumm Basin trail back to The Cave and Toboggan Falls before going back down to the Berg Lake campground.
After quickly getting to the Robson Pass CG, I easily found the signed trail for Mumm Basin in the campground itself. The trail was easy to follow and soon I was sweating my way uphill in the crisp fall air – frost was on the vegetation all around me. Once I gained tree line I headed up the dragon back to attempt Mumm Peak.
After my exciting ascent of Mumm Peak it was time for some casual hiking again! I enjoyed the easy Mumm Basin trail as it wound it’s way above tree line. There are several options that can take you back to the Berg Lake camp including The Cave, Toboggan Falls and Hargreave Lake loop. I decided to go to The Cave and Toboggan Falls before hitting camp. There are signs at every important junction and a nice shortcut between the Mumm Basin trail and The Cave that saves some time back tracking.
The Cave was cool but I’m claustrophobic so I didn’t venture inside it. From The Cave I worked my way easily down the trail to Toboggan Falls. It was on this section that I found a bear print, clearly recently made. This was about the only bear sign I saw on all my tramping around the area but it did make me start yelling every once in a while on blind corners again. Toboggan Falls were pretty cool and after some photographs I finally stumbled back to camp and a well-deserved supper.
I spent the evening chatting with folks from Europe and Canada who, just like me, were looking for some quiet time away from the normal bustle of everyday life. We built a nice warm fire in the wood stove and I stayed up late to capture Robson and the Milky Way – a photo that turned out much better than I was expecting.
The following morning dawned grey and cold with rain and sleet coming down over Mount Robson so I decided to return to civilization rather than stay another day.
