Notes: Via Boom Lake approach. The Taylor Lake route was still a steep snow slope.
Trip Report
Despite a windy day, complete with hailstorm, this was possibly my most picturesque scramble of the year. The massive, glaciated peaks of the Lake Louise area always make for a spectacular day out. The moderate scramble rating is fair, but this one is probably more towards the easy end of moderate.
While I am competent at self-arresting with a mountaineering axe, the approach from Taylor Lake still sounded unnecessarily complicated when compared to Boom Lake. We were grateful that we chose the Boom Lake approach when we passed the col on the way up and saw how much snow was still there.
The first and last 5 km of the day, the bulk of the distance covered, is on the wide, well-graded trail to Boom Lake.The last bit of trail, descending to the lake, turns into boardwalks over damp ground.Boom Lake is a popular destination in its own right. The pristine turquoise water is surrounded by the massive glaciated peaks common to the Lake Louise area.There are plenty of good, flat rocks at which to break for second breakfast. The correct gully was easy to pick up, being directly above a small, round pond.As of 2023, travel up the gully was fairly easy. I expect a good avalanche every few years helps to maintain this approach.Looking down the gully. The log boom for which the lake is named is obviously apparent.The larches here must be spectacular in autumn.The wind picked up as we reached treeline and a brief hail storm passed by. We gained slightly more elevation than needed here and had to lose it at the col up ahead. A better plan would have been to stay just within treeline.Passing the col and beginning the trek up to the peak. The Taylor Lake route (down and right) meets up with the Boom Lake route here. As of early July, the steep slope to the right was fully snow and would require mountaineering expertise.A climb up blocky boulders leads to the summit ridge. The scrambling is never beyond moderate.Looking back, Boom Mountain in the background.Nearing the summit ridge. Despite a bit of rain and hail, the terrain wasn’t terribly slippery.A few more moves of moderate scrambling over large talus to gain the summit ridge.Reaching the summit ridge. Boom Mountain is to the right and Storm Mountain is in the background.Looking back at Boom Lake and Boom Mountain. The summit ridge narrows closer to the peak, but it is quite wide here.Spectacular views over Bident Mountain and one of the peaks of Mt Fay.The ridge narrows near the summit, but thankfully was sheltered from the wind. The peak is still out of view here.Looking back along the ascent route.Reaching the peak and taking in the fantastic views of Mount Temple (center) and Panorama Peak (right).Gazing out over the impressive Castle Mountain massif. I insisted I wanted one picture without my hood up.I’m really going to miss that hat.Summit panorama.Beginning the return trip.Some interesting rock formations are passed along the way.A quick detour up to a pinnacle to take in the views over Boom Lake.On the return trip we stayed slightly lower to avoid gaining and losing elevation. This put us right around treeline, but there is no need to bushwhack.Returning down the same gully we ascended by, with its distinctive round pond.“This is such a great photo! It’s going on your birthday cake!” I told him. He chuckled, assuming I was joking.
We made it back to the parking lot in 10 hrs. I had been reluctant to pick an objective in Lake Louise on a long weekend, but we only ended up seeing two other pairs the entire day. This little gem of a scramble is in a less touristy area, but is certainly no less worthy than other Lake Louise scrambles.
Peak Bliss 