July 22 Friday 2016

Galatea Trail to Guinns Pass then through to Buller Pass south. The hike is not long if you can arrange a car at both ends. This logistical problem was solved by having a group of hikers leave from both trail heads and swap keys on the way through. We met just close to the Ribbon Creek Trail. So to recap Galatea Lakes trail starts from Hwy 40 see link to the Galatea  Lakes.  http://willski.ca/galatea-lakes/ Buller Pass trail starts on the Spray Lakes road Hwy 742 see link to Buller Pass North to South  http://willski.ca/buller-pass-north-south/   Well that saves time describing the parts on either side of both Passes. That just leaves to the middle to fill in. Guinns Pass trail starts about 5.0 km  up Galatea Creek it can not be missed as for once there is a sign.  After crossing another bridge. The trail climbs up through dense bush along a watershed from the pass. It sure looks like bear country with lush vegetation ,wild flowers and berries. Then the trail comes to the stony washed out mostly dry creek bed. When the creek heads slightly left take to the shale path on the right and follow to the Pass at 2 km. At the top of the Guinns Pass, Buller Pass is seen across the open waste land. The trail down is on the left and switch backs down scree and rocks before coming into trees that lead to Ribbon Creek Trail. This will be the low point. Now another 280 m up to Buller Pass. The trail is well worn and is just a matter of grunting up to South Buller Pass. I should mention that if you have the choice don’t draw the short straw and start at Galatea start at Buller it is 270 m higher from the Spray Lakes trail head.

Distance return 17.6 km Time return 7.0 hrs ( inc 30 min lunch ) Elevation Accumulated gain 1250 m Elevation to Summit 2510m Summit height 2080 m

Elev to Guinns = 960 m to Valley – 225 m to Buller Pass = 280 m

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