South Volcano Ridge loop Off-Trail hike on 16-Sep-2026

The temperature was +3 at the trailhead but in the sun it felt much warmer. We descended the usual muddy old road to the bridge and successfully crossed the first tributary of Gorge Creek after checking out a number of options (more later) and then the subtributary a little later:

the easy tributary crossing, note cow-churned mud in foreground
the easy tributary crossing, note cow-churned mud in foreground

After traversing the meadow amongst the Black Angus cows we ascended through the forest with views starting to open up to the west:

Snowy peaks peeking over Surveyors Ridge to the west
Snowy peaks peeking over Surveyors Ridge to the west

Right on noon we arrived at the summit of South Volcano and with warm sunny skies and no wind we had a leisurely one hour lunch:

Most of the gang at lunch on top
Most of the gang at lunch on top

After a short steep descent of the north side we hooked up with the trail heading easterly down to the Gorge-Ware trail. Along it there were a number of mushrooms, including puffballs (edible) and some not so edible:

Fly agaric mushroom (<i>Amanita muscaria</i>), a poisonous variety
Fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a poisonous variety

Back at the creek crossing the water was moving at the same flow rate as the morning with the choice of tiptoeing on submerged rocks or just walking through:

Kate on right after successful crossing, Evelyn on left just powering through
Kate on right after successful crossing, Evelyn on left just powering through

Photini very carefully trying to do rock hopping
Photini very carefully trying to do rock hopping

At the bridge recrossing the creek further downstream we were entertained with our lone reptile sighting of the trip:

Order of the Garter representative on the bridge
Order of the Garter representative on the bridge

While we were checking out the snake a group of of cows came from behind and crossed the creek below the bridge and acted as trailblazers up the last kilometre back to the cars:

Hike leaders up the hill to the parking lot
Hike leaders up the hill to the parking lot

Thanks for joining me goes to a fine group of participants: Rosanne (mushroom photo), Philip, Barbara, Photini, Nancy, guest Mario, Kathy, John (snake photo), Evelyn and Kate. Ron C/S/P.

Edit report | Back to List