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March 27, 2021 In Outdoor Edventures

Castle Mountain Lookout Hike

Where:

  • Castle Mountain Lookout

 

When:

  • March 27, 2021

 

Who:

  • Ed, Jace, Dave, Ian Craig, Tomonori, Rod, Bauer, Brandi, Mike, Peter, Kirk, Diane, Keri, Erin

 

Trailhead:

  • the trailhead is 5 km west of Castle Junction on the 1A highway on the north side of the highway
  • the trail starts out of the far end of the parking lot

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

  • 600 meters of elevation gain to go to the ledge above the lookout
  • 6.5 km round trip (out and back)
  • the trail starts on gentle switchbacks and then becomes steeper and narrower near the top
  • the trail was very slick, and we all had grippers which were a necessity
  • the hike took us 3 hours

 

 

Interesting notes:

  • most of the hike is in the trees with intermittent viewpoints
  • at the top there are sweeping views across the valley of Copper Mountain, Storm Mountain, Boom Mountain, Mount Bell, and the Panorama Ridge
  • Castle Mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for its castle-like appearance
  • from 1948 to 1979, it was named Mount Eisenhower in honor of World War 2 general Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

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