June 29, 2020
Mount Solomon
Hinton, Alberta
Stats as Recorded by Suunto Traverse
Distance : 10.7 km
Elevation : 587 m
Ascent : 1h23m
Descent : 1h05m
Back to the Folding Mountain area for the view I didn't get last time.
I had one day off in a 13 day stretch and for the first time in months, it was not raining on my day off. I got super excited to go hike and stayed up late looking into possible hikes or scrambles I could do. Shortly before I fell asleep, I had my eyes set on Roche Bonhomme. Just 1:30 A.M., I fell asleep with the intention of getting up at 6 A.M. to give myself plenty of time for a longer day. Well, I think I have pushed myself too hard and was exhausted. I woke up at nearly 9 A.M. and given that I was planning to leave from Edmonton, Roche Bonhomme didn't look like a viable option anymore. I had read about Mount Solomon and changed the plan with little preparations.
I almost decided to park my car here. I heard there were river crossings and I did not know if this constituted a river. I can imagine a higher clearance vehicle being required either at the beginning of the Spring melt season, or even during winter. There was rain a few days ago, and about 2 mm of water above the dirt "bridge". Ezekiel (my car) was nervous, but we drove through and in for about another 2 km and reached Black Cat Ranch for the start of the hike.
The trail was fairly well signed. Aside from the beginning, the rest of other signs did not mention the summit until you've gained a fair amount of elevation, but you walk in the same direction as previous and there are no forks in the road. As you can see by the elevation graph, you spend most of the mileage on flat ground and gain the elevation in the latter parts. There were little streams in the beginning which were easily passable with strategically placed logs, and then the wonderful cool stream seen below. Great to dip the feet after a hike.
Left: Signage throughout the hike. Followed for summit; Middle: Stream/"River" crossing went up to my shins, current fairly fast; Right: Well-used horse trail, watch for poop on the ground.
The stream was not too high. I'm 5'3" and it went up to my shins, so I'd say it was around 6-8" high. While I was there that day, there was a family of 4, two kids aged approximately 11 and 14 by my estimate. They were able to cross the stream successfully, so it would be a great way to introduce some new terrain to younger kids.
Looking out towards Brule Lake and the mountain range.
Quick summit and good weather allowed for a long(-er than I usually take) summit break. I didn't bring a lunch up but ate most of my snacks before beginning the descent down. About 15 minutes from the summit, there is a bench to overlook the mountain range but most of the lake is covered. When you hit the summit, there is one more 3-person bench, but plenty of rock with little exposure to sit on and enjoy the view of the lake. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, you may not experience too much, as part of the summit is treed and you are limited to an approximate 120 degree view.
Sneak peak: Clouds are just starting to move away to reveal the mountains.