Description

Vantage Peak is a lovely peak that sees few visitors.

The recent landslide wiped out much of the Cerise Creek valley.

Provided the area is open you can access this peak in the summer, and winter.

Check the Nhlaxen Conservancy website for up to date closures as the slide has changed the access.

Winter ascents require advanced Avalanche Training as the terrain is considered complex.

In the early season many sections may still have snow, so microspikes would be handy.

Many will do this route over two days.

The nearby Keith’s hut is by donation ( currently closed for Covid).

There is an outhouse here and good camping spots.

Please follow Leave No Trace ethics as this is a sensitive alpine habitat.

Fires are prohibited outside the hut.

• From the parking lot descend the trail at the far north side of the parking lot. • At the river search out a means to cross.

At present a tree has been felled across the river 100m west. • On the other side reconnect with the trail and follow it • It arrives at the old logging road, now covered is Alder • Head south along the road • Take the first right turn heading uphill • Climb through the debris on the most beaten path, heading across the rockfall debris.

• Keep to west side as the terrain is better hear.

Try and use a trail if one is visible.

• At the valley, cross the stream, head due south.

Look for the orange marker in the trees to reconnect with the old trail.

You may need to walk around the far edge to find it.

• Take the trail through the woods to the Moraine. • The trail splits here between the moraine, up, the hut, right, and Vantage, left (south). • The trail traverse the moraine, then heads up through the meadows • At the col the trail becomes less consistent.

Follow the ridge towards the summit.

• At the first Talus field, look for the trail heading straight through some thick Krumholtz trees.

It’s easy to get lost here.

The trail is pretty descent through the Krumholtz, so retrace your steps if you loose the trail • The trail fades near the base of the summit.

If you stick to the ridge expect exposed third class scrambling.

You can traverse over to a gulley for less exposed 3rd class.

Keep traversing for steep 2nd class hiking, not exposed.

A short 3m bit of exposed ridge walking is required to make it to the summit.

• Descend the same way