Liumchen Ridge

Oct. 13, 2023

Stats: 9.9km / 721m gain / 1720m high / 3:30 hours MT

It was so good to be out roaming in the mountains again after a month of abstinence due to an ankle injury. It had been even longer since I hadn't see some of the regulars, because of our one month trip to Europe. So it was a happy reunion on a beautiful autumn day.

This trail is said to be Chilliwack's best kept secret. Its often not accessable because of the logging truck traffic and a rough road, especially the last 2 km.

Case & I had scouted out the FSR just a few days prior. Fortunately for us 13 hikers, they had just graded it and dug new water-drainage bars so as to decommission the road to loggers. We were able to drive all the way to the trailhead at 1440m.

We soon had our first "wow" moment after a steep climb to this level spot by an old radio station. Even before the hike started, we'd gotten out of our vehicles during the drive up to observe the wide open views of Sumas Prairie below us.

After about half an hour of steep climbing on a switchback trail through the furry-treed forest, we had our second "wow" moment, setting foot on Liumchen Ridge.

We had to drop down before climbing up again to Old Baldy. The turn-off to this trail (off of the Liumchen Lake trail) is easy to miss.

north

Views from the summit of Old Baldy: The Cheam Range -- northeast.

Church Mt. is only 14m lower than Old Baldy (1680m) but I find the views better from Old Baldy.

McGuire Mt to the right.

The Border Peaks + Larrabee Peaks & Tomyhoii Peaks -- east.

Sheri, Sonia, Susan, Tracey & Bote with Shuksan Mt in the background -- southeast.

Tracey, Sonia, Heather & Mark with Mt. Baker.

Liumchen Lake with International Ridge & Vedder Mt. -- west.

Goofy group shot- back row left to right: Heather B, Mark C, Case T, Ling S, Tracey G, Tim Y, Susan Ventura (newly) + Bote M

Front row left to right: Sheri K, Terry B, Sonia J, Sue A, me + Ziff

Then we dropped down briefly, to carry on south along the ridge. The trail was not as distinct and involved some bushwhacking.

Fir trees grew in clusters.

Terry with the Cheam Range & McGuire.

Having a liesurely lunch in the meadow. This is where we turned back. In summer these slopes are filled with wild-flowers.

Liumchen Mt. with Mt. Baker -- south.

Sonia worked an all-nighter again. Don't know where she gets the energy. Glad she was with us.

To the right are the humps of Windy Knob & Old Baldy.

Climbing back up Old Baldy.

Slesse & the Border Peaks.

Mt. Cheam, Lady Peak, Knight, Stewart, Baby Munday, the Still, Welch & Foley Peaks.

On our return journey it was easier to negotiate the steep north-facing slope of Old Baldy, since the ice in the ground had melted.

Once at our starting point on the north end of the ridge, we continued north to Windy Knob.

The trail was faint and fainter still when we turned left for a brief drop to this viewpoint.

Sumas Mt in the background-- northwest.

The Chilliwack River Valley with Elk-Thurston-Mercer Peaks on the ridge in the foreground, backed up by the Cheam Range.

Almost back at the four vehicles.

As we were packing our gear away, Susan came up to me and said how "fun and friendly our group was". She felt welcome right from the get-go, it being her first time with us.

Liumchen Lake and Church Mt.