Zosia and I started by hiking up the spur road which makes a couple of sweeping switchbacks before ending just below the first high point along Camelshoof Mountain's south ridge.  It took us a little under 1.5 hours to top out on the first high point where we got our first glimpse of the fire lookout near the summit.  From there, we dropped into a slight dip before commencing a steady climb up a well-defined trail along the south ridge.  About two-thirds of the way up the south ridge, the trail bypasses a subsidiary high point and then drops about 45 metres or so into a bigger dip before the final uphill push.  This last uphill section is incredibly steep, and the footing can be a little slippery in a few places.  Thankfully, we made it up without any problems, and we spent a few minutes poking around the fire lookout before going to tag the true summit a short distance further to the north.

Zosia and I spent a good hour on top of Camelshoof Mountain before commencing our descent.  Retracing our steps, we dropped down the steep section below the summit, and I was thankful to have hiking poles here to save some wear and tear on my knees.  When we climbed out of the big dip, we took a spur trail to visit the subsidiary high point that we had skipped on the way up.  We then dropped down the south side of the subsidiary high point and eventually reconnected with the main trail.  The remaining hike down to the first high point and back along the spur road went without a hitch.

	A couple of marmots sit on a roadside barricade watching traffic go by.
	Zosia begins hiking up a spur road which branches off West Pavilion Forest Service Road.
	Zosia stops to pick saskatoon berries on the side of the spur road.
	Camelshoof Mountain and most of its south ridge are visible from the first high point near the end of the spur road.
	A well-defined trail follows the crest of the south ridge.
	Here is a glimpse of the fire lookout from the main trail just before it drops into a big dip.
	Impressive cliffs flank the east side of the summit block.
	Zosia holds up a discarded wine bottle inside the abandoned fire lookout.

 

The interior of the fire lookout is empty but relatively clean.

 

Sonny and Zosia stand on the summit of Camelshoof Mountain (1554 metres).

 

The summit has a commanding view of Fraser River as it winds around the north end of Fountain Ridge.  Visible on the distant centre horizon is Mount Brew.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

 

	Zosia begins the steep descent.  Note the open tops of the two subsidiary high points further down the south ridge.
	With the fire lookout visible in the distance, Zosia takes the last few steps before the top of a subsidiary high point along the ridge.
	Zosia surveys the panoramic view from the top of the subsidiary high point (1376 metres) which Sonny has whimsically nicknamed "Camel's Toe".
	Zosia stretches her back after returning to the very first high point (1127 metres) near the end of the spur road.  Keeping with the theme of the day, Sonny has given this high point the nickname, "Camel's Toenail".
	A checkerspot butterfly rests on one of the many common gaillardia growing along the spur road.
	Total Distance:  10.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  6 hours 2 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  762 metres GPX Data