CDMC
Capes Lake To Check Out The Trail; Mon Jul 05, 2010; hiking; leader: Tim Penney

This trip was combined with Otto's trip to Mount Ginger Goodwin (See separate report) to take advantage of Ken's VHF radio whilst on the Comox Lake logging roads.

4 of us started on this trip with the other group, but forged ahead for Capes Lake with fewer rest stops along the way. The trail for Capes and Idiens Lakes takes off from the Mount GG trail at the position denoted by Flag # 4 shown on the GPS map.

The trail obviously hasn't had much use or maintenance recently and, although well blazed in places, we had to look carefully to follow the route. The trail follows along on the steep side hill of the Capes Creek valley and then emerges at the rocky bluffs at the East end of Capes Lake. There is some exposure on the steep valley side and one old rope still available at an awkward rocky step down.

We stopped for a quick lunch at the Geoff Capes memorial cairn erected in 1964 by the CDMC. Whilst enjoying our lunch the temperature and visibility dropped as fog drifted over the lake from the valley below.

We returned to what Otto refers to as the Turtle Rock to meet with the GG trip member as they were on their way down.

Whilst at the lake we signed the log book nestled into the cairn and I read with interest several of my old entries from 26 years ago.

More photos are available for viewing.

Tim Penney photo: GPS Map
GPS Map
[Tim Penney photo]
Tim Penney photo: Capes Lake panorama shot
Capes Lake panorama shot
[Tim Penney photo]

Tim Penney photo: The reason that we have to use the radios on the logging road
The reason that we have to use the radios on the logging road
[Tim Penney photo]
Tim Penney photo: On our leisurely stroll up the trail William even found time to smell the roses
On our leisurely stroll up the trail William even found time to smell the roses
[Tim Penney photo]

Tim Penney photo: One tricky section on the trail. The rope assists in the navigation
One tricky section on the trail. The rope assists in the navigation
[Tim Penney photo]
Tim Penney photo: Still some snow on the trail just before Capes Lake
Still some snow on the trail just before Capes Lake
[Tim Penney photo]

Tim Penney photo: The 1964 cairn for Geoff Capes
The 1964 cairn for Geoff Capes
[Tim Penney photo]
Tim Penney photo: I was in good company on these pages of the log book from 20 years ago.
I was in good company on these pages of the log book from 20 years ago.
[Tim Penney photo]

Tim Penney photo: You can just make out the North summit of the Comox Glacier
You can just make out the North summit of the Comox Glacier
[Tim Penney photo]
Tim Penney photo: We met up with Otto's group on the way down
We met up with Otto's group on the way down
[Tim Penney photo]


Report contributors: Tim,

Participant list: Linda, Tim, William,