In mid-August we we watched the smoke conditions forecasts (firesmoke.ca) and spotted a clearer day in the Trophy Mountains,  so with one day’s notice, we got an early start to drive to the trailhead at the end of the Trophy Mountain Road.     Only one other vehicle was parked there and they were camping at Sheila Lake so we hiked the lower trails through the forest quickly, enjoying the route.  

At about 2.5 km, we emerged from the forest into Trophy Meadows.   Almost all of the rest of the hike is in a subalpine or alpine environment, above most of the trees and with wide views.  

We passed the shepherd’s cabin and climbed Little Hill.   There are 9 Trophy Peaks and from the higher viewpoint we could see 6 of them.  

Continuing along a ridge we were directly above Sheila Lake.   Campsites are on the south and west side of the lake.  

The trail braids out, but we knew the one we wanted so we continued along Plateau of Tarns to the last tarn below the Trophy Mountain Cirque.  

From the last tarn to the Rim is a steep 1.2 km hike.   We chose to stop at the summit of Long Hill, the lowest of the 9 Trophy Peaks.   All of the other peaks are a longer, more difficult day of hiking.  

We went up and back down by the same route, passing by tarns and views of the Trophy Peaks along the way.  Normally we spend some time photographing other peaks – Battle Mountain, Raft Mountain, Dunn Peak, the northern Wells Gray Ranges, and the Monashee Ranges, but smoke enshrouded the valleys in every direction.   We were thankful for some clear air in the Trophy Range.  

The hike to the top of the Rim and back takes about 6 hours, covering about 15.5 km.   It is a long day, but one we enjoy every year.  

We have done a hike to the top of one of the Trophy Peaks every year for 45 years and in some years more than once.  We will be back again next year, looking for clear skies in the Trophy Mountains.