Mt Cokely loop via the Saddle and Rosseau routes (B2/3)

Originally published at: Mt Cokely loop via the Saddle and Rosseau routes (B2/3) – Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island Section

Trip Leader(s): Catrin Brown and Mary Sanseverino. Contact Catrin catrinaccvi@gmail.com for more info.

Details: A day trip to the top of Mt. Cokely in Mt. Arrowsmith Regional Park. We will go up via the Saddle Route, take in the views, then scramble up the south side of Cokely to gain the main ridge and on to the summit. Coming down we’ll retrace some of our ridge hike, but, instead of going back to the Saddle Route, we’ll stay heading westward along the Cokely ridge and take the Rosseau Route back to the cars. Some time will be spent at the Cokely summit repeating photographs from the 1950s – you are welcome to bring along any old photos you might like and have a try at repeating them too.

Full distance: Approx 6 – 7 km.
Elevation gain: Approx 700 m.

As you can see this isn’t a long hike – but it does have some steep pitches. You should be comfortable scrambling up and down a few steep, somewhat exposed sections.

This trip is both weather and access dependent. Since repeat photography is one of the key purposes of this hike we will not go in clag (Cloud Low, Aircraft Grounded) and/or heavy rain. Decisions on go/no go will be made via forecasts on Friday evening at the latest.

Access is via the Cameron Main – a gated resource road intersecting Highway 4. If the gate is locked, we will not be going. We should know gate status by Friday 14 Oct.

Possibility to car camp the evening of Oct 15 at one of the many campgrounds in the area (e.g. Little Qualicum, Englishman River Falls, Rathtrevor Beach).

Group size is six people.

Equipment: Boots, poles (recommended), the Ten Essentials. Helmet is recommended, especially for some of the steeper spots. Microspikes may be needed if the weather turns cold – this trail can have frosty/icy spots. Will keep everyone informed as the time gets closer.

Rating: This trip is rated as B2/3 (depending on conditions):

  • B = Moderately strenuous (2-6 hrs, 600-1200m elevation gain, day pack).
  • 2/3: Scrambling, travel off-trail on moderate slopes / Easy climbing, steeper gullies in mountainous terrain.

Catrin is away up north for a few more days - if you have emailed about this trip but haven’t heard back from her you can drop me a line at msanseve@gmail.com