Day 3 of the trip was a lay-over at Sediments Creek to provide a hike that climbs 950 m (3,100 ft) in 5.4 km (3.4 mi) to alpine habitat on Goat Ridge above the river. It started with a stroll up the creek cobble and then along a good use trail through a bit of forest, followed by a stiff climb to the "short hike destination" about 200 m above the river. From there, it was more forest along a ridge, then up a slope covered in short (but bear-hiding) vegetation to an open, rocky area. After a break there, we traversed an open screen slope, then finished with a steep climb (and a tiny bit of scrambling) up to Goat Ridge. Once up, we wandered across the short alpine vegetation to an overlook of Sediments Creek where it was hoped we'd see mountain goats (this being Goat Ridge and all). Claims that white dots moving on a far distant ridge were, in fact, mountain goats, were viewed with just a little skepticism. It took some mental gymnastics to come to grips with that fact that we were the only people for as far as the eye could see in any direction from the ridge - millions of hectares of raw wilderness surrounded us. A little overawed, we headed back. The weather fully cooperated (it wouldn't always be so obliging) to make this challenging hike one of the absolute highlights of the whole trip! It gave us a good work-out (no float & bloat here) along with amazing views north and south along the Tatshenshini River Valley, across to Carmine Mountain, and down into the upper Sediments Creek drainage. We saw one black bear for sure and, if white dots are goats, then mountain goats too.
Up along the creek cobble
Through the forest
And up the slope
View upriver from our first break
Back into the forest along the ridge
View north from the ridge
Through fireweed toward the rocky, open slope; our goal is the notch (arrow)
Taking a break on the open, rocky slope (arrow points to our camp)
Traversing the upper scree slope
Traversing the upper scree slope
Up toward the notch in the ridge
A little bit of scrambling on slippery rock
Near the top of the notch
Topping out on Goat Ridge
The view north from Goat Ridge
Looking into the braided upper drainage of Sediments Creek
Returning across Goat Ridge
Back down the notch (arrow points to our camp)
And down the scree slope, with a view to the south...
The afternoon view north from the rocky, open space
Down the first steep slope
The LovedOne flashes her brave hiker smile just short of camp
