Liumchen Ridge
- Jocelyn Timmermans
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
August 15, 2026 -- Cultus Lake
Stats: 9 km / 670m gain / 1719m high / 3:30 hours MT
What to do when the air quality index is moderate? Stay local and do a moderate hike. The smell of forest fire smoke and the haze it creates, was a constant throughout the hike. But it was still a pleasnt day well spent.
I managed to get not one, but two 4WDs. It being a Saturday, our company could spare one. Owen said that the road was in good condition which was true, but he didn't mention the many water bars. It was not an issue for my high-clearance 4WD, but it did present some tricky manoeuvring for my dutch student, Folker in the pickup truck. He did great though, especially considering the fact that it was his very first time he went 4x4ing.
The GPSs said the trailhead was lower, by a sharp corner but I knew it was about a km farther up, after a broad switchback. This time we had no views of the Chilliwack River valley because of the smoke smog. We parked at 1440m.
The first half an hour was a steep climb before getting onto the ridge.
Faint outlines of the surrounding peaks surrounded us. Larrabee and the Border Peaks to the right.
You could barely see Mt. Baker to the right.
Clusters of trees lined the ridge.
After dropping down, we did a second short steep climb to the summit of Old Baldy (1657m).
Lorenz was having a moment.
Church Mt.(1711m) is almost the same height as Old Baldy but the view is obstructed by trees -- east.
Slesse, Larrabee, the Border Peaks and Tomyhoi -- southeast.
Group shot: me, Stelian A, Folder D, Kyle V, Lorenz B, Cindy W + Shelley B
Garden Fleabane
Descending for a second time and continuing along the ridge to the clearing on the right. Liumchen Mt is behind the foremost ridge.
Almost at our lunch spot, which is about 50-minutes from Old Baldy -- east.
Liumchen Mt. (1768m) -- south.
Stelian is picking fireweed flowers for tea.
The wildflowers were beginning to wither. Autumn in the alpines is just round the bend.
Heading back after a relaxing half hour lunch break. Old Baldy to the left and Church to the right.
Church.
Harebell Stonecrop
On the way back we had to go up and over Old Baldy again and then a final up hill close to Windy Knob. Glad our mechanic put new brakes on my Hummer.
Liumchen Lake to the lower left.
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