Ochre Mountain and Salal Peak: Adventures near Athelney Pass

Ochre Mountain and Salal Peak: Adventures near Athelney Pass

July 22, 2010   (3 days) Calculated Length: 38 km written by Lucas Earl  

Abstract: Followed the route up Salal Creek and camped in Athelney Pass. Scrambled up the ridge to summit Ochre Mountain and Salal Peak on the second day. Exited on the third day.

Difficulty:  Not too hard to follow the trail along the creek, but may have to cut through brush to catch bypasses. Easy scrambling near the pass.

Access: From Vancouver, follow Rte. 99 to Pemberton. Turn left and drive through town onto the Pemberton Meadows Rd. Follow until the major right turn and bridge to the north side of the Lillooet River, marking the start of the Upper Lillooet FSR. 9.2 km after the Pemberton Meadows Rd. turnoff, stay to the left at the Hurley FSR junction (see Bivouac road sections 2 and 3 from here) 18.4 km from the Hurley jct. pass the old Meager turnoff to the left, then climb the canyon below Plinth Peak (see road section 4). 33.5 km from the Hurley Jct., and 42.7 km from the Pemberton Meadows turnoff, turn right at the sign marking the Pumice Mine (the highest point on the road, signed as KM 45). From here on, follow the Salal Creek FSR as described here on Bivouac to reach the trailhead (about 6.3 additional km). Salal Creek FSR itself seem to vary from year to year.

I ran across a route description and a few photos of this beautiful area on ClubTread early in 2010 and decided that when I made my annual trip to B.C. in the summer Athelney Pass was to be my primary goal. By the time summer arrived I had perused the maps and as many trip reports I could find and prepared to leavea