{"id":43930,"date":"2023-02-17T08:10:32","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T15:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43930"},"modified":"2025-02-05T22:56:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T05:56:43","slug":"mount-hyland-babine-mountains-british-columbia-canada-part-1-the-mccabe-trail-from-driftwood-canyon-to-summit-pass-8-4-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43930","title":{"rendered":"Mount Hyland, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada – Part 1: The McCabe Trail from Driftwood Canyon to Summit Pass (8-4-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

Morning, Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em> – The hopeful promise of clearing skies yesterday evening had been dashed by raindrops during the wee hours.\u00a0 Lupe woke to a soft gray fog in the treetops.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Picnic ground at Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park<\/strong> near Smithers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not looking good for mountain climbing today, is it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Certainly isn’t, Loop, but maybe we should give it a chance?\u00a0 We could kill some time taking the bridge over Driftwood Creek.\u00a0 Supposed to be some famous fossil beds at the end of a short trail over there.\u00a0 Want to do that?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog wasn’t so sure that she did, hesitating at the metal grate bridge before following SPHP across.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The bridge to the fossil beds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Several plaques were along the trail, which led through a dark forest.\u00a0 At the end, a small clearing provided a view of a steep hillside.\u00a0 Turned out the fossil beds were way up near the top.\u00a0 Signs warned against climbing the hillside to see them, although the scarred slope made it clear that lots of people did.<\/p>\n

No fossils to look at, not even any squirrels in this forest, SPHP.\u00a0 I’m not overly impressed.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nice enough stroll, but kind of a bust, isn’t it, Loop?\u00a0 Back to the RAV4?<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP, but then what?<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s head into Smithers and find out what the forecast is, Looper.\u00a0 If it’s going to stay all cloudy and drippy like this, we might as well keep driving.\u00a0 Still a long way to Alaska, you know.<\/em><\/p>\n

Can’t you check the forecast on your fancy new iPhone, SPHP?\u00a0 I thought that was supposed to be one of the grand new capabilities it offered us?<\/em><\/p>\n

I could, but we don’t seem to have service in Canada, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Magnificent!\u00a0 No service in Canada, where we always like to go!\u00a0 How did you manage that, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Chalk it up to my usual brilliance, Loopster.\u00a0 C’mon, let’s get out of here!<\/em><\/p>\n

The Smithers Visitor Center had free wi-fi.\u00a0 Took SPHP a while to figure out how to even use wi-fi, but a weather forecast eventually did pop up on the iPhone’s screen.<\/p>\n

Better than I thought, Loopster!\u00a0 Cloudy, high of 55\u00baF, with a 30% chance of showers today, then sunny with highs in the 70’s \u00baF for the next 4 days.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds beautiful starting tomorrow then.\u00a0 We should stick around, SPHP!\u00a0 What can we do in Smithers today?<\/em><\/p>\n

Play tourist, I suppose.\u00a0 Or you know what, Loop?\u00a0 We could go on our first ever backpacking trip in Canada!\u00a0 Take the McCabe Trail, and set up base camp near Mount Hyland<\/span><\/a> (7,477 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the Babine Mountains<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Should have a sunny day for climbing Mount Hyland tomorrow!<\/em><\/p>\n

That sounds awesome, SPHP!\u00a0 Let’s do it!<\/em><\/p>\n

1:14 PM, 52\u00baF<\/em> – Mount Hyland meant a drive back to Driftwood Road again, this time all the way to the trailhead at the very end.\u00a0 Quite a few vehicles were present, but no one was around.\u00a0 SPHP had the pack ready, and the American Dingo was about to set off on the Silver King Trail, a wide, smooth path.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set out on the Silver King Trail<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Sign says 1.3 km to where the McCabe Trail branches off, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

This looks super easy, SPHP!\u00a0 Like a stroll through the park.<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed it was!\u00a0 Climbing gradually, the Silver King Trail was apparently an abandoned road, at least here at the start.\u00a0 Driftwood Creek could be heard somewhere off to the W (L) in the forest, and soon flowed close to the trail, although still seldom seen due to trees and tall vegetation.\u00a0 The big, clear-running stream was very scenic when Lupe could manage to get a glimpse of it, flowing swiftly among mossy boulders.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Driftwood Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a short stretch flowing near the trail, Driftwood Creek veered back off into the forest.\u00a0 The stream did not appear again, although it could still be heard not too far away.\u00a0 Before long, Lupe reached the junction where the McCabe Trail took off to the NE (R).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Silver King Trail (L), McCabe trail<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Signage at the start of the McCabe Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What does this sign say, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

8.5 km to Summit Pass, Looper.\u00a0 Not bad at all!\u00a0 A mere 9.8 km total from the trailhead.<\/em><\/p>\n

The McCabe Trail began as a smaller road, but quickly climbing 60 feet, it then leveled out as an excellent single track traversing the steep lower N slopes of Harvey Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,083 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Progress was rapid as the trail ran E through an impressively dense forest.<\/p>\n

For quite a long way, there were no views other than the dim forest.\u00a0 The air was cool, moist, and heavy.\u00a0 Other than the sound of Driftwood Creek somewhere far below, silence reigned.\u00a0 Sudden movement among the thick moss and abundant undergrowth next to the trail revealed a toad.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At a small opening along the McCabe Trail<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The unexpected toad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On and on!\u00a0 The McCabe Trail climbed gradually, still interspersed with flat sections.\u00a0 Although Lupe passed damp spots, no creeks ran down the steep N slopes of Mount Harvey.\u00a0 The dank, quiet atmosphere produced a sensation of extreme remoteness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting to climb. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is awesome, SPHP!\u00a0 Can’t wait to see where this leads to!<\/em><\/p>\n

The trail eventually crossed a rock slide that created an opening where first views of the heavily forested Driftwood Creek Canyon appeared.\u00a0 All the mountaintops were in the clouds, but as Loopster continued on, she came to more openings.\u00a0 The cloud cover was slowly lifting, a mountain strip-tease revealing what was out there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking out over the Driftwood Creek Canyon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A flashy fungus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The McCabe Trail was now climbing steadily.\u00a0 Lupe came to some fairly long stretches where a lack of trees granted what would have been great views of the canyon on a sunnier day, but only SPHP could see them.\u00a0 An explosion of thick plant growth 4 or 5 feet high in these areas had the Carolina Dog traveling through an endless green tunnel.<\/p>\n

Lupe was glad when small streams finally did begin to appear, getting a drink from each one.\u00a0 Two were large enough to have eroded out several feet of the trail, but were no real hindrance.\u00a0 A bigger stream had a nice wooden pawbridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the pawbridge over the largest stream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the pawbridge, the McCabe Trail angled away from the steep slopes overlooking the Driftwood Creek Canyon.\u00a0 A long, two-plank boardwalk appeared leading through a wet region.\u00a0 Near the upper end of the boardwalk, Lupe passed a sign for the undeveloped Blix Route, which went S to the Lyon Creek Trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the narrow boardwalk through the wet region.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sign for the Blix Route.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching drier terrain, the boardwalk ended.\u00a0 The McCabe Trail continued climbing at a moderate pace through the forest.\u00a0 Now beyond the N slopes of Harvey Mountain, Lupe started getting glimpses of the N end of Pyramid Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,273 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the N end of Pyramid Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon the forest was thinning rapidly.\u00a0 Lupe began coming to lush glades full of brilliant wildflowers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the wildflower zone near the N end of Pyramid Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among orange and crimson Indian Paintbrush.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The trail flattened out as it turned N away from Pyramid Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The wilderness garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Surrounded by beauty. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wildflower zone didn’t last long.\u00a0 Turning E, after climbing only a bit higher, the McCabe Trail flattened out once again in a region of scattered conifers and low tundra vegetation.\u00a0 For the first time, a pass was visible off to the E beneath thick clouds.<\/p>\n

That’s got to be it, SPHP!\u00a0 Summit Pass!\u00a0 That’s where we’re going, right?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Summit Pass<\/strong> (R of Center) from the flat region N of Pyramid Mountain. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, I do believe you’re right, Loopster.\u00a0 Really isn’t that much higher than where we are already.\u00a0 What, 2 miles away?\u00a0 No more than that.<\/em><\/p>\n

After crossing the flat region, the trail turned NE, descending rapidly back into the forest.\u00a0 Switchbacking SE, the trail had leveled out after turning E again, when signs indicated the presence of a campground down a spur to the N.<\/p>\n

We’ve got time, let’s check out the campground, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back in the forest at the junction with the N spur to the campground. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The campground was a simple affair.\u00a0 The spur trail led down to a large, relatively flat clearing.\u00a0 Crossing it, Lupe discovered two stone fire rings with a log to sit on near each one.\u00a0 Off to the E, a stream wound mostly unseen through a bushy wetland.\u00a0 No one was here at the moment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the campground clearing. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near one of the 2 stone fire rings. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nice enough place to camp, SPHP.\u00a0 Certainly a wilderness experience, but it feels like we’re down in a hole.\u00a0 Let’s keep going!<\/em><\/p>\n

Intend to, Loop.\u00a0 Just wanted to see what was here while we were nearby.<\/em><\/p>\n

Returning to the McCabe Trail, the American Dingo continued E.\u00a0 The trail skirted the S side of the bushy wetlands, and led to a bridge over the stream flowing into them.\u00a0 Back to the NNW, the sky was brightening.\u00a0 Mount Elmsted<\/span><\/a> (7,244 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and even part of The Galleon<\/span><\/a> (7,844 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, was now in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Elmsted<\/strong> (Center) from the SE end of the wetlands. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Elmsted<\/strong> (L), snowy upper regions of The Galleon<\/strong> (Center). The campground is beyond the first stand of trees on the L. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Passing through another stretch of forest, the McCabe trail climbed again.\u00a0 The trees were soon thinning rapidly.\u00a0 As Lupe broke out of the forest, a small lake was visible to the S, and blue skies were overhead.\u00a0 The day had been on the cool side, but now began to heat up.\u00a0 This next section of trail was the steepest of the entire journey.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading higher! About as steep as it got. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eh!\u00a0 Still only a moderately paced climb, although SPHP did pause to gasp for breath fairly often, because the pack was starting to feel heavy by now.\u00a0 The trail leveled out again for a little way, before resuming its ascent.\u00a0 Suddenly Lupe was passing the last stunted trees, the McCabe Trail still heading E toward open tundra.<\/p>\n

To the NE, two great arms of a mountain cradled a vast bowl between them.\u00a0 A waterfall roared in the distance, cascading from the lower end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The McCabe Trail<\/strong> nearly levels out for a little way again. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Hyland<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop, look!\u00a0 That’s Mount Hyland<\/span><\/a> (7,477 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Tomorrow we’ll explore that huge valley between those massive ridges!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe stuck with the McCabe Trail a little farther, but the Carolina Dog was so excited she soon took off streaking across the tundra.\u00a0 This was exactly the sort of alpine territory she loved most!\u00a0 Marmots whistled warnings in all directions as Looper sniffed and ran over hill and dale.<\/p>\n

5:40 PM, base camp S of Mount Hyland<\/em> – SPHP had the tiny house set up on a ridge a few hundred feet NW of the McCabe Trail.\u00a0 Lupe rested on the tundra nearby, watching a huge gray cloud envelop Mount Hyland.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing by the tiny house. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a spectacular setting, aye, Looper?\u00a0 Hope these clouds are actually gone by tomorrow morning, though!<\/em><\/p>\n

This is fabulous, SPHP!\u00a0 Another Dingo Paradise!\u00a0 Loving it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Cooling off again as these clouds roll in, but there’s still some blue sky to the E.\u00a0 We’ve got a few hours of daylight left, Loop.\u00a0 Want to visit Summit Pass, just to say we’ve been there?<\/em><\/p>\n

How much farther is it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, 0.5 km or so, maybe a little more.\u00a0 Won’t take long.\u00a0 Not much of a climb from here, and lots of wonderful tundra along the way!<\/em><\/p>\n

Energized by the mountain air and vast open terrain, Lupe had a blast!\u00a0 SPHP stuck to the McCabe Trail, while the American Dingo roamed at will.\u00a0 The trail passed several small tarns.\u00a0 At intervals, wooden posts marked the route, although there was never any doubt.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set out for Summit Pass<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing back at Lupe’s tiny house (Center). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Passing several tarns. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Closing in on Summit Pass<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:55 PM<\/em> – At Summit Pass, a post marked a 3-way junction.\u00a0 This was the end and high point of the McCabe Trail.\u00a0 From here, the Little Joe Creek Trail continued E, and the Lyon Creek Trail headed SW.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 You’ve explored the entire McCabe Trail today!<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s a great trail, SPHP!\u00a0 Love where it got us to.\u00a0 Wasn’t all that hard to get here, either.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mount Hyland will be more of a challenge, I’m sure!\u00a0 Well, I suppose we ought to head back to the tiny house, sweet puppy.\u00a0 Have a bite to eat, then hit the hay.\u00a0 Big day tomorrow!\u00a0 Glad we got to enjoy this nice evening romp to Summit Pass, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was glad, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Summit Pass<\/strong>, end of the McCabe Trail, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, 8-4-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Brochure<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Mount Hyland, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada – Part 2: Summit Pass to the Summit! (8-5-22)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Harvey Mountain, Babine Mountains Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (9-9-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Little Onion, Astlais Mountain, & The Big Onion, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada (8-8-18)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo<\/span> Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 6 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska! Morning, Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park – The hopeful promise of clearing skies yesterday evening had been dashed by raindrops during the wee hours.\u00a0 Lupe woke to a soft gray fog in the treetops. Not looking good for mountain climbing today, is … Continue reading Mount Hyland, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada – Part 1: The McCabe Trail from Driftwood Canyon to Summit Pass (8-4-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1585],"tags":[105,1060,79,30,106,26,1613,104,1614,1612,973],"class_list":["post-43930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1585","tag-american-dingo","tag-babine-mountains","tag-british-columbia","tag-canada","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-driftwood-canyon","tag-lupe","tag-mccabe-trail","tag-mount-hyland","tag-smithers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5528-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43930"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43930\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60507,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43930\/revisions\/60507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}