Tricouni Peak (05/07/26) & Sugarloaf (11/07/26)
Thanks to eveyone who joined the trips! Very happy to have such great teams who made the trips an ease!
Tricouni Peak - Scramble Route (05/07/26)
Overall: Beautiful bluebird day. Some bootpacking in snow up for most of the last few hundred meters below the peak, that then turned into a nice class 3 and low class 4 scramble. The rock was somewhat loose so would certainly recommend helmets.
Time: We left Commercial around 6am and with a quick break in Squamish and started walking by 8:30am. Summited around 1.45pm. Returned to the car around 6.30pm.
Driving: Coming up the Squamish River Branch 200 FSR from Squamish River Road was a tough, but managable task for the Crosscheck. Access to the true trailhead (via Branch 250) requires a brave 4WD car+Driver to go over a bush engineered timber bridge, so we decided in advance to walk from the new lower carpark. (see backroadstatus).
Lessons Learned/What could have been done differently:
1. Some of the group decided to rappel rather than downclimb from the summit. Our anchor was bomber, however for my rappel I unknowingly moved the upper section of the rope over some looser rock (not affecting the bomber anchor) . As I started to rappel we noticed this issue. Thankful for the team for noticing and working this out.
2. Coming back, the river crossings were flowing faster and someone had a minor slip. We could have had our helmet on for this section to reduce risk of greater injury or tried harder to find an area with less flow. Initially the person said they were fine but around 10minutes later we decided to apply an instant ice pack. Ideally, we could have done a better initial assessment and applied this sooner. Also a good reminder to consider bringing instant ice for these sort of trips (usually only $3 a pack).
3. Also on the way back, we found ourselves unexpectedly in the grips of the Squamish Highway being shutdown due to a fatal collision. Luckily we had time to have dinner and buy some emergency supplies for until the highway opened again. Ended up being closed for 7 hours and opening around 2.30am. Apparently 6-8 hours is the usual amount of time for the road to be re-opened. This was my first experience of this, but I can appreciate this being an important trip consideration (especially in winter)!
Sugarloaf - Scramble (11/07/26)
Overall: Sugarloaf was another great day out, really spectacular scenery with a mix of sun and clouds. The hike up to the main scramble was pretty nice and enjoyable. Even if you don't want to do the scramble to the peak, it is well worth the trip out. The scramble to the peak involved a lot of highly loose rock and rockslides and I would certainly recommend helmets for it.
Time: We left Burnaby around 6am and made it to the trailhead by 9.30am with a quick break in Squamish. Summited also around 1.45pm. Returned to the car around 5.30pm.
Driving: Pretty straight forward drive up Miller Bench FSR. The 4Runner made light work of the trail up, I think this might be doable in a high clearance 2WD.
Lessons Learned/What could have been done differently:
1. Mozzis! At the carpark and for the first couple hundred meters of the trail there were quite a few. Likely I had my mozzi head net, but not everyone did ($8 a decathlon). Bring one and save your skin!
2. Rockfall was a really considerable issue. To avoid rocks falling on people below, we split into slightly different routes. Spacing between parties is also another way to reduce risk. No close calls but certainly something to be aware of.
Special Mention
1. For those looking to touch up on their first aid, this may be a good free online resource:
https://www.americanoutdoorschool.com/courses/wilderness-first-aid-certification
2. I have planned 2 separate trips to Needle Peak. Both have been cancelled due to inclement conditions. While it can be annoying to happen, having back up alternatives can help make it ok!
Happy hiking!
Photo 1: On the Tricouni Trip
Photo 2: On the Sugarloaf Trip
Tricouni Peak - Scramble Route (05/07/26)
Overall: Beautiful bluebird day. Some bootpacking in snow up for most of the last few hundred meters below the peak, that then turned into a nice class 3 and low class 4 scramble. The rock was somewhat loose so would certainly recommend helmets.
Time: We left Commercial around 6am and with a quick break in Squamish and started walking by 8:30am. Summited around 1.45pm. Returned to the car around 6.30pm.
Driving: Coming up the Squamish River Branch 200 FSR from Squamish River Road was a tough, but managable task for the Crosscheck. Access to the true trailhead (via Branch 250) requires a brave 4WD car+Driver to go over a bush engineered timber bridge, so we decided in advance to walk from the new lower carpark. (see backroadstatus).
Lessons Learned/What could have been done differently:
1. Some of the group decided to rappel rather than downclimb from the summit. Our anchor was bomber, however for my rappel I unknowingly moved the upper section of the rope over some looser rock (not affecting the bomber anchor) . As I started to rappel we noticed this issue. Thankful for the team for noticing and working this out.
2. Coming back, the river crossings were flowing faster and someone had a minor slip. We could have had our helmet on for this section to reduce risk of greater injury or tried harder to find an area with less flow. Initially the person said they were fine but around 10minutes later we decided to apply an instant ice pack. Ideally, we could have done a better initial assessment and applied this sooner. Also a good reminder to consider bringing instant ice for these sort of trips (usually only $3 a pack).
3. Also on the way back, we found ourselves unexpectedly in the grips of the Squamish Highway being shutdown due to a fatal collision. Luckily we had time to have dinner and buy some emergency supplies for until the highway opened again. Ended up being closed for 7 hours and opening around 2.30am. Apparently 6-8 hours is the usual amount of time for the road to be re-opened. This was my first experience of this, but I can appreciate this being an important trip consideration (especially in winter)!
Sugarloaf - Scramble (11/07/26)
Overall: Sugarloaf was another great day out, really spectacular scenery with a mix of sun and clouds. The hike up to the main scramble was pretty nice and enjoyable. Even if you don't want to do the scramble to the peak, it is well worth the trip out. The scramble to the peak involved a lot of highly loose rock and rockslides and I would certainly recommend helmets for it.
Time: We left Burnaby around 6am and made it to the trailhead by 9.30am with a quick break in Squamish. Summited also around 1.45pm. Returned to the car around 5.30pm.
Driving: Pretty straight forward drive up Miller Bench FSR. The 4Runner made light work of the trail up, I think this might be doable in a high clearance 2WD.
Lessons Learned/What could have been done differently:
1. Mozzis! At the carpark and for the first couple hundred meters of the trail there were quite a few. Likely I had my mozzi head net, but not everyone did ($8 a decathlon). Bring one and save your skin!
2. Rockfall was a really considerable issue. To avoid rocks falling on people below, we split into slightly different routes. Spacing between parties is also another way to reduce risk. No close calls but certainly something to be aware of.
Special Mention
1. For those looking to touch up on their first aid, this may be a good free online resource:
https://www.americanoutdoorschool.com/courses/wilderness-first-aid-certification
2. I have planned 2 separate trips to Needle Peak. Both have been cancelled due to inclement conditions. While it can be annoying to happen, having back up alternatives can help make it ok!
Happy hiking!
Photo 1: On the Tricouni Trip
Photo 2: On the Sugarloaf Trip
