BOU AVENUE
Pinto Mountain
On 11 July 2010, Kelly Bou and I ascended Pinto Mountain near Invermere, British Columbia as per the route description in Hikes Around Invermere & the Columbia River Valley by Aaron Cameron and Matt Gunn (C&G).  Like my trip to Indian Head Mountain the previous day, there was some confusion with respect to C&G's access directions although we managed to find the trailhead without having to backtrack.  In fact, the road all the way to the trailhead was in good shape and could easily be negotiated by 2WD vehicles.  There are several grassy avalanche gullies on Pinto Mountain that look equally feasible to ascend.  Emerging from the forest, we stayed on the trail which headed upwards through trees to climber's left and bypassed the first two obvious gullies.  We decided to ascend the third obvious gully, and this turned out to be the same one pictured in C&G's guidebook.  A long grunt ensued interrupted by a couple of minor rock bands that required some hands-on scrambling.  At one point, I tried following one of the many elk trails cutting across the gully, but sadly, it led nowhere or at least nowhere that we wanted to go!  Gaining the summit ridge, we had a short but delightful traverse over the south peak to the cairn on the farther north peak.  After having a quick bite to eat, we retreated back the way we came.  Though the steep descent was far from being enjoyable, it was, if nothing else, quick and trouble-free.
Right off the bat, it's a steady uphill climb. Kelly hikes through a cut block at the start.
I never tire of looking at this peak! Not far from the trailhead, there is already a nice view of Mount Nelson.
Kelly was busy taking photos for her artwork, so I decided to be artsy as well! Sunlight filters down through the trees in the forest.
Start your grunting! This is the third obvious gully (C&G's "grassy draw").  Note the trail on the left edge of the grass.
Actually, it was hitching a ride on Kelly! Sonny finds a Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina).
Something to look at during the long and often boring ascent... There are lots of wildflowers in the gully such as this clematis.
Kelly climbed up this like a pro! The narrower parts of the gully require some hands-on scrambling.
It looks like we're almost there, but we're not! Higher up, Kelly gains the broad slope below the summit ridge.
Sigh. I wish I could live out here... Kelly pauses to admire the view of Invermere and the Columbia River Valley.
Definitely almost there! Kelly hikes along the summit ridge.
Easier than it looks, though. The summit ridge narrows just before the north peak.
I took two waypoints on the north peak, and the average corresponds precisely with the offical elevation. Kelly reaches the north peak of Pinto Mountain (2547 metres).
More peaks and ridges that probably not many people visit. Here is the view to the north.
Always nice to look at a peak you climbed the day before from the top of another peak. Here is the view to the south.  Mount Bryan is the peak in the foreground at left.  On the horizon at right is Indian Head Mountain.
Can you make out a nose and mouth?? This is a closer look at Indian Head Mountain.
Most likely someone there right now... Lowly Swansea Mountain can be seen to the southwest.
Mount Farnham is the highest peak in the Purcell Mountains. On the western horizon are Mount Farnham (centre) and Farnham Tower (right).
My GPS gave an average elevation of 2545 metres for the south peak--only 2 metres lower than the north peak. Kelly hikes back over the south peak of Pinto Mountain.
Trickier coming down, but not by much! Kelly down-climbs a minor rock band in the gully.
Wonder why they named this mountain after a lousy car that had a tendency to explode when rear-ended? Here is one last look at Pinto Mountain from the forestry service road.
Hmm...the mountain looks sexier in Google Earth than in real life! This is the route as viewed in Google Earth. 
Somewhat mundane, but an easy trip with few hassles.

Total Distance:  7.1 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  6 hours 22 minutes
Total Elevation Gain:  892 metres

GPX Data