DIRECTIONS: 1. Head North on HWY 99.
2. Take the Porteau ROAD exit.
3. Turn right at stop sign.
4. Drive straight past an old steel gate.
5. Turn left immediately after gate.
6. Remain on main logging road, for the next 3km. (avoiding all left or right sideroads)
7. Park near trailhead post.create
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Mount Windsor (from 4wd Parking Lot)
Jul 23, 2011
This was one of the best days of the summer thus far. A day not to be inside. This realization occurred after sleeping far past my alarm wake up time, haha. I hurried and headed off for the Deeks Lake trail.
My intent had been to do Deeks Peak, but on a sudden change of heart I decided to go for Windsor again. The trail up to Deeks lake is now totally snow free, and in pretty good condition. I ran into an older couple at the Lake that were just coming back from Windsor. I had a great time chatting with them; they were two very experienced hikers. It was inspiring to meet such a couple, not because of their age, but rather the fact they really seemed to enjoy each other's company so very much.
The trail up to the Windsor-Deeks col is pretty steep, well marked, and awesome! A lot of interesting vegetation and sounds to fill your mind with thoughts. As I was hiking up to the col, I ran into two of the three guys who were fishing at Lower Pierce Lake during my hike last week. They decided to give my recommendation of fishing at the lake a try they said.
At about 1260m, I encountered sustained snow. At the col the snow seemed to be in decent condition, no moats that would raise concern. No crevasses either, I remember last year it was pretty sketchy heading up, but the snowpack is still thick, and no need for veggie belaying this time! I had an ice axe and microspikes!
The view from the summit, like I say quite often, just stand and spin; it was truly superlative! The Lions, Brunswick, Hanover, Howe Sound, Deeks Peak, Black Tusk, Baker, and the list just keeps going on. This is one of my favourite hikes, and in my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful mountains in the North Shore. I was scouting up a route for Deeks Peak, ramp up to the saddle (?) and head left, and scramble up, but then I got lazy and just sat on the summit a bit longer. These sort of thoughts happen quite often as of late for me.
I don't like to make overarching statements, so I will just say, in my opinion this a fantastic hike to do.
Here's a link to the summit video I uploaded to youtube:
1. Mt. Windsor summit vista