Notes: Mostly on-trail hiking with some easy scrambling near the top.
Trip Report
Mount Bourgeau is a pleasant day out with few difficulties. The distance looks lengthy on paper, but passes quickly on easy trail. One section before the summit is a bit rocky and might be considered easy scrambling. Because the approach trail is shared with Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass, parking tends to fill up early.
The crux of the day proved to be finding parking on this unusually warm October day. Once on our way, the trail was easy, well-graded, and bustling with people.A tall, cascading waterfall is passed along the trail. I am the figure in orange at the base of the falls.Bourgeau Lake is reached in under two hours. The bright turquoise water will be more stunning in the afternoon Sun. For now, we will continue hiking and gain these cliffs from the right (by a route not visible in this photo).Continuing on and looking back at Bourgeau Lake. The peak of Mount Bourgeau can be seen to the left.Once above the lake, the trail turns left to Harvey Pass, the rise ahead. Looking back from Harvey Pass at Dan, ahead of a line of other people pursuing the same objective today.A lovely alpine tarn makes Harvey Pass a fine place to pause for a break. Once satisfied with the the views, the route up Mount Bourgeau is to the left.Standing at Harvey Pass, looking across the larch-covered mountains surrounding Sunshine Village. Mount Assiniboine can be seen further in the distance, left of center.Studying the rest of the route up Mount Bourgeau from Harvey Pass. The gentle line to the peak is obvious from here.Looking back as Dan follows along the well-worn route to the summit.This was the only part of the day that might be considered scrambling. If not for the attention given by hikers we passed, I probably would have breezed past without noticing it. The peak is just ahead (center).Looking back, Dan is standing on the cliff seen earlier above Bourgeau Lake. The lake is out of view, below the cliff edge. Glaciated Mount Ball can be seen at the left.A modest cairn marks the summit. In the background the Bow Valley winds off into the distance, framed by Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain to the left and by Sundance Peak to the right.Dan gives Mount Assiniboine an assuring pat on the head.Victory selfie. Dan was so taken by Pilot Mountain (right) that it made our must-do list for the following summer!Summit panorama.We returned the way we came, pausing again at the alpine tarn in Harvey Pass.Approaching another small tarn along the trail back to Bourgeau Lake.Gazing back up at our route above Bourgeau Lake, with its turquoise water now glittering in the warm afternoon sun.We enjoyed our last glimpse of the sky before beginning the long walk out through the trees.
We made it back to the parking lot in 7 1/2 hrs. This trip has excellent views and the difficulty was suitable for this day in shoulder-season. The steady traffic was a bit more than I anticipated, but hey, it’s great to see so many people getting out to enjoy our spectacular national parks.
Peak Bliss 