Rather than start from base area of Apex Village, we drove to the upper parking lot as indicated on the resort's trail map.  From the deserted parking lot, we had no serious issues skinning up Grandfather's Trail to the top of Beaconsfield Mountain.  Compared to many other ski resorts, Apex Mountain Resort appears to be quite relaxed when it comes to uphill skinning probably because so few people do it here.  At the top of Beaconsfield Mountain, I was dismayed to learn that the beloved Billy Goat Hut was no longer open to the public and had been turned into a ski patrollers' cabin.  I have fond memories from previous ski trips of stopping there to warm up and to buy freshly baked cookies.

From the top of Beaconsfield Mountain, we dropped down Grandmother's Trail on the Wildside (south) face of the resort and slipped under the boundary rope to arrive at a trough between the two mountains.  We came across a trio of skiers here testing their avalanche transceivers.  I am not sure how often people climb up Apex Mountain, but its northern outlier is apparently quite popular with out-of-bound skiers looking for pristine powder slopes.  Leaving the trio of skiers behind, Zosia and I found a good snowmobile track which eventually led us to the top of the northern outlier.  From there we followed the broad, windswept ridge all the way to Apex Mountain's summit which is cluttered with numerous telecommunications installations.  We found shelter from the chilly wind on the lee side of one of the buildings and ate lunch before commencing our return trip.

Zosia and I kept our skins on for the ski back to Beaconsfield Mountain since there are a few short uphill sections along the way even before the big climb up Grandmother's Trail.  Once we returned to the top of Beaconsfield Mountain, we removed our skins and enjoyed an easy ski back to the upper parking lot.

After loading up my car and making a quick stop at the base area of Apex Village, we drove west from the resort along the Hedley Nickel Plate Road.  This well-maintained road eventually connects with Highway 3, but the last 13 kilometres or so before the highway is not for the faint-hearted.  The road here is narrow and winding with a few alarming drop-offs along the edges.  Fortunately, the road was not too snowy or icy, and we managed to make it down to Highway 3 safely before driving to Princeton.

	The sunrise lights up the trees on a ridge near the upper parking lot. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The upper parking lot is largely deserted as Zosia begins skinning uphill.
	Grandfather's Trail is wide and easy to skin up.
	Zosia begins to encounter downhill skiers shortly after the resort opens.
	The sunshine is most appreciated after a frosty ascent.
	Zosia arrives at the top of Beaconsfield Mountain (2176 metre).
	On the summit of Beaconsfield Mountain is Billy Goat Hut. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia heads down Grandmother's Trail on the south side of the resort.  The summit of Apex Mountain is barely visible left of centre.  On the right behind the sign is the northern outlier of Apex Mountain.
	Zosia follows a snowmobile track which eventually leads to the top of the ridge in the distance.
	Sonny climbs steadily up the snowmobile track. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The top of Beaconsfield Mountain is visible in the distance as Zosia clears the last trees.
	Zosia gains the windswept ridge.
	The wind is too chilly for Zosia to linger for long on top of Apex Mountain's northern outlier (2234 metres).
	Sonny skis toward the main summit of Apex Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The sun tries to break through the cloud cover above Apex Mountain.

Wind has evidently redistributed some of the snow on the ridge.

 

	Route-finding through the trees is easy here.
	Numerous antennas and buildings adorn the summit of Apex Mountain.
	Zosia and Sonny stand on the summit of Apex Mountain (2244 metres).

Zosia prepares to return along the north ridge of Apex Mountain.

 

	Zosia climbs back up to the top of Beaconsfield Mountain.
	The Hedley Nickel Plate Road can be seen winding its way down the steep hillside.  Highway 3 is visible in the valley bottom. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance:  13.8 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  4 hours 59 minutes Total Elevation Gain:  ~765 metres Total Elevation Loss:  ~425 metres GPX Data