Ch-paa-qn Peak – June 8, 2024

Trip Leader: Susanna Girolamo Phillips

Participants: Edna Blanchfield, Michael Shroyer, Brian Forgeron 

“The hardest part of this trip is getting to the Trailhead”, I responded giggling at Edna and Michael when asked about the summit ascent. Yes, the drive to the Trailhead needs cautious attention, if you miss one turn, you will waste time driving around. 

We started the day early. The road to the Trailhead nr 707 was dry. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it with my small vehicle and no high clearance. We parked the car at a lower elevation and bushwacked for almost a mile uphill. Once we arrived at the Trailhead we proceeded directly to the summit. Eventually, we navigated on snow until above the treeline. Scrambling up the last few hundred feet of boulders was an adventure in itself. As soon as we made the summit, it greeted us with a clear blue sky, endless views, and buzzing ladybugs, Ch-paa-qn Peak you are truly a shining peak. 

(Ch-paa-qn is a Salish word meaning “shining peak”).

Total distance ~ 7.5 miles with an elevation gain of ~ 2,894 ft

Susanna Girolamo Phillips