Pinto Mountain

This hike is 8.7 kilometres up and down with a 950 metre elevation gain. It was brutal perhaps because we weren't in the most ideal condition. (Although ideal condition would be someone considerably younger than us.) Some say the hike should take 4.5 hours. We took nearly seven. Basically, it's a very steady uphill trail the whole way that begins through a wooded forest with lots of blown down trees. An avalanche chute provides terrific terrain where wildflowers such as fireweed, Indian paintbrush, cow parsnip could thrive.

The trail then returns to a wooded area and then opens up into another avalanche shoot. This one we climbed up and this one was filled with marmots. (At least that's what I think they are.) Their high pitched squeaks drive the dogs nuts and they'll chase them up to 100 metres up or down a steep slope resulting in extreme panting particularly by Pippa. The colour of the flowers became increasingly more vivid as we neared the top. The tiny blue flowers still need to be looked up. 

The trail then follows a series of switchbacks up a wooded area until the trees disappear revealing a rocky ridge that we followed to the top. The incline on either side become progressively steeper until they're such that the end of a fall would mean a several hundred metre drop. The wind also blew with some intensity which was actually pleasant on this very warm day. 

The view from the top was provided a 360 degree vista hampered somewhat by the smoke. That said, we did feel a certain degree of accomplishment having climbed our first Rocky Mountain.

360 degree view from top. Quite spectacular.

(Best viewed on full screen.)

The way down took us almost as long as the way up as it was actually harder on our ageing joints than the way up. Overall, a gruelling but satisfying hike.