⚠️ Hiking and scrambling are inherently dangerous activities. Please read my Disclaimer. ⚠️
After summiting the Southwest Summit of Drywood, Lance, Brad, and I began the interesting ridge walk to one of two small, unnamed high points that sit on the ridge above Bovin Lake. This peak, which I’ve nicknamed “Little Bo(vin)-Peak” was brought to my attention by two trip reports by Andrew Nugara – one from 2009 which used our same approach, and one from August 2017 where he completed both peaks as an enjoyable loop.
From our vantage point on the Southwest Summit of Drywood, “Little Bo-Peak” actually looked quite technical, especially with the snow. In fact, we weren’t sure if it was ascendable until we were almost directly beneath it. Once we determined that it wasn’t as bad as it looked, Brad and I enjoyed a quick scramble through deep snow to the summit, while Lance waited for us on the col, nursing a toe injury that ironically, he received on “Gladstone’s Toe”. After tagging the summit we made a quick descent to Bovin Lake from the col, where we followed the trail back to our bikes and then back to my 4Runner. Though not tall, “Little Bo-Peak” and it’s twin, “Little Bo-Blue” (Blue Lake is an alternate name for Bovin Lake, hence “Bo-Blue”) are interesting destinations, especially if you’re looking for a day hike to a scenic locale.
We approached “Little Bo-Peak” from the Southwest Summit of Drywood, but it’s most readily accessible from the shores of Bovin Lake, and preferably in a loop as Andrew did in August 2017. If you are going straight from your vehicle to Bovin Lake, it’s a ~10.1km hike with an elevation gain of ~554m along a good trail. I’d definitely bring a bike for the first 4km and if you’re comfortable with a little more technical mountain biking, I’d ride/push it all the way up to the lake and then ride it all the way back.
At 2348m (my GPS) “Little Bo-Peak” is not big in comparison to everything around it except “Little Bo-Blue” which Andrew thinks may be slightly smaller. Nonetheless, “Little Bo-Peak” still rises ~290m above Bovin Lake.
From the summit of the Southwest Summit of Drywood, it was a ~2.5km hike to “Little Bo-Peak”. My total distance travelled over the day was 24km with total elevation gains of 1184m. Brad and Lance also summited “Redwood”, so they will have different numbers, but that’s okay because they’re different anyways. 😉 Our total roundtrip time was 8 hours and 48 minutes.
Victoria Ridge (right) stands out as we leave the Southwest Summit of Drywood. In the distant centre is Mount Matkin.
This small bump on the ridge provided me with two neats shot of Brad. This one, which features Starvation Peak and King Edward Peak as the two prominent peaks in the background…
And this one, which features Victoria Ridge and Mount Matkin (centre).
Lance enjoys the views from a narrow section of the ridge.
Our first clear view of “Little Bo-Blue”(left) and “Little Bo-Peak” (right). Andrew thinks that “Little Bo-Peak” may be the taller of the two.
A telephoto of Windsor Mountain and Castle Peak.
Looking back to the summit of Drywood Mountain as we descend the ridge. (Photo by Brad Wolcott)
Our first view of Bovin Lake. Loaf Mountain and Spionkop Ridge on the left, “Little Bo-Blue” in the centre, and “Little Bo-Peak” on the right.
“Little Bo-Peak” looked technical from here.
Loving those views!
Still looking technical…
The ridge walk to “Little Bo-Peak” offered some neat views of the adjacent valley.
That’s a little more promising…
Brad (centre) hikes through some snow on his way to the summit. Once at the base, it was obvious that it could be ascended without too much difficulty.
Brad’s view back as I stand at the base. (Photo by Brad Wolcott)
Following Brad’s tracks through deep snow. (Photo by Brad Wolcott)
On the summit and enjoying the awesome views to the east and southeast! From left to right: Southwest Summit of Drywood, Loaf Mountain, Spionkop Ridge, and “Little Bo-Blue”. If only I had a horn to blow!
A pano to the south and southwest. Sage Mountain is on the left and Mount Matkin is in the centre.
Victoria Ridge sits ~2.5km to the northwest.
Gazing northeast toward Pincher Ridge and the Southwest Summit of Drywood.
Brad and I on the summit of “Little Bo-Peak” (2348m my GPS). Lance waited for us on the col, nursing a toe injury that ironically, he received on “Gladstone’s Toe”.
Once back at the col, we dropped straight down these slopes to Bovin Lake.
This little larch is doing its best to hang on to its needles…
Bovin Lake is worth the visit!
A small brook trout sips the surface as Brad walks by.
“Little Bo-Blue” on the left and “Little Bo-Peak” in the centre. We descended using the slopes on the right. This would also be the easiest way to ascend and approach the Southwest Summit of Drywood.
We thought these were snowshoe tracks because they were so huge, but they ended abruptly and there were no corresponding post-hole tracks.
There was still lots of snow on the upper sections of the trail.
First rule of snowshoeing and post-holing: always let the youngest person go first. 😉
Frozen waterfalls on the side of Loaf Mountain.
The entrance to the hanging valley that we’d used earlier in the day.
The bikes made short work of the ~6.5km trip back to my 4Runner.
Zoom! Zoom!
Arriving back after 8 hours and 48 minutes and 24km. Considering that two weeks ago there was 60cm+ of snow in the Castle, it was remarkable that we could make this trip without snowshoes. I’m usually pumped about any trip I make in the mountains, and this was no exception. It was nice to return to the South Drywood Creek Valley after a 6-year hiatus and it’s given me renewed motivation to return and get up the South and Centre Peaks of Pincher Ridge and of course, Victoria Ridge. Finally, having great company makes any trip that much better, and so thanks again to Brad and Lance for an awesome day!
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