On Day 3, we laid-over at Sediments Creek to provide a long dayhike to those interested in doing such a thing; but lounging around camp was also a popular option. The hike (also called the Sobeck Hike after the rafting company that pioneered it) climbs 950 m (3,100 ft) in 5.4 km (3.4 mi) to alpine habitat on Goat Ridge west of the Tatshenshini.
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. A little overawed, we headed back. Back in camp, we welcomed drinks, dinner, and talk, followed (soon) by sleep in our fluffy, comfortable sleeping bags (Bags of Decadence).
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 dots are goats, then mountain goats too.
BOOTS on the TRAIL 