Hiking Mount Rohr near Pemberton
Contents
Mount Rohr Hike Information
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 15.90Km
Elevation Gain: 1,150m
Highest Elevation: 2,423m
Average Gradient: 14.47%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 6 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 5 – 6 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No – But it would help
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Mount Rohr Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 50°24’18.0″N 122°27’44.2″W
Mount Rohr Overview
Mount Rohr is a summit that’s easily visible while driving along Duffey Lake Road near Pemberton, and makes for a fairly popular hike in the summer, especially from parties camping at the nearby Rohr Lake looking for a more adventurous outing. It’s also a popular ski touring region once the snow settles in.
The stats above assume hikers park their vehicle at the very beginning of Cayoosh Creek FSR, which almost nobody does. Around 1km along the FSR there is a parking area with a washroom, where most people park (2WD friendly to here), but 4×4’s can continue further to a smaller parking area 2.2km down the FSR, beyond which the forested trail begins. If you are able to park here the hike will be quicker as you’ll have cut out 4.5km of it. Either way, walking along the FSR is very simple and quick, so if you park earlier it’s not going to make life particularly difficult.
The hike up to the lake is mostly a simple forested trail, which is often muddy throughout due to a number of creeks running through the area, and a high amount of foot traffic. The final climb up to the lake is a steep boulder field that will prove challenging with overnight packs. There is a reasonable amount of space at the lake for camping, though no designated campsites nor any facilities. From the lake the remainder of the hike is through a long valley, involving a combination of boulders and dirt trail, to the base of Mount Rohr. The final climb up Rohr is steep but technically simple, with minimal use of hands required.
As always in the Pemberton / Duffey area bugs are a major issue in the early summer and may prove intolerable for many people. Late summer is therefore the best time to visit, typically mid-August to end of September. Early October may also work, but at these elevations it will no doubt be cold and snow won’t be far away by mid-October, if not earlier. Ski touring in the area is popular through the region and while snowshoeing wouldn’t be unfeasible, especially in spring, it’s not commonly done.
Dogs are welcome on the trail but the terrain will certainly prove challenging to those that aren’t experienced with steep boulder travel.
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Is Mount Rohr worthwhile?
Mount Rohr is perhaps the most approachable summit in the Duffey Lake Road region thanks to being 2WD accessible, following a well maintained trail to the lake, then an easy to navigate, heavily cairned route to the summit. While backcountry travel is necessary, navigation is straightforward (especially with a map) and there isn’t any real scrambling, and certainly no exposure anywhere along the route. For reaching a summit over 2,400m this is a relatively straightforward climb and definitely a worthwhile hike. This is a good introduction to the backcountry for anyone who has primarily hiked on designated trails.
How difficult is the hike to Mount Rohr?
While noted as a difficult hike I would say Mount Rohr is on the easier end of difficult. It’s not the longest hike, especially given the fact you can reduce the distance by driving some of the FSR, nor does it have a significant amount of elevation gain. Experienced and fast parties might even find it quite a straightforward outing, but beginners will no doubt find it quite challenging.
Technically the hike is mostly straightforward. There is a steep boulder climb to reach the lake, then a fairly straightforward route through a valley to the base of the climb to the summit. There’ll be plenty of boulder hopping along the route, but little in the way of hands on terrain, nor any exposure anywhere along the route.
Mount Rohr Route Information
The trailhead for Mount Rohr depends somewhat on where you decide to park. Most vehicles can drive along the FSR to a parking area next to a washroom, around 1km in. Capable 4×4’s can drive all the way to the end of Cayoosh Creek FSR, around 2.2km along the trail.
Wherever you have parked along the FSR you’ll first hike along the same road to the end of the FSR where the trail enters the forest. The lower sections of the trail are typically the muddiest, with multiple bridges over the muddiest sections to assist hikers. Some mud is unavoidable though so be prepared to get a little dirty.
The trail climbs gradually through the forest, and after a little less than a kilometer you’ll pass by some signage indicating the route to the Wendy Thompson Hut in the Marriott Basin, a popular spot in winter especially. Ignoring this route you should see signage for Rohr Lake leading up a trail to your right.
The trail continues weaving through the forest for another kilometer, passing through a few more muddy sections. At around 1,650m you will reach a meadow that the trail remains adjacent to briefly, before you continue climbing up to the base of the boulder field.
When you reach the boulder field the route should be quite straightforward and well marked with flagging tape, but if in doubt you generally want to keep to the right any time you are climbing up. It is quite simple and won’t be long until you reach the crest of the boulder field where you will immediately be greeted by the turquoise hues of Rohr Lake. This might be a good place to stop for a break, with the northwest tip of the lake the best spot to spread out and enjoy the views.
The trail continues following the lakeshore and is easy to follow to the eastern end of the lake and into the beginning of the valley. As you hike through the valley the trail starts to give way to boulders, initially alternating between dirt and boulders before ultimately transitioning to mostly boulders. The first stretch through the valley is quite mellow, climbing just 100m or so over the next kilometer.
Soon enough the elevation will pick up as you near the base of Mount Rohr, make sure to look behind you as the views of the valley are really nice. As you work through the boulder field keep an eye out for cairns, which should be plentiful, but if in doubt just refer to your map. The trail will curve round to the left with the summit of Rohr now very obvious.
From the base of the final climb up to the peak, at around the 2,150m elevation mark, the official trail now ascends to the left via some grassy slopes before cutting back to the right onto the boulder, but you could also just take a direct line up through the boulder field if you prefer. You’ll also now get your first views of the impressive Joffre group of peaks to the south.
Soon you’ll be climbing up the rocky west ridge of Mount Rohr, which should be straightforward with a well worn trail and plenty of cairns to guide you. While steep there is very little hands on work. You’ll reach one or two false summits on the climb but it won’t be too long until you’re on the summit.
From the summit the views will be expansive, with a number of peaks on full display, namely Joffre Peak, Mount Howard, Mount Matier, Mount Marriott, Saxifrage Peak, Slalok Mountain, Mount Chief Pascall, Vantage Peak, Mount Duke and lots more.
After resting up at the summit you simply return to the trailhead from the same route you took on the ascent.
When should I hike Mount Rohr?
The season for Mount Rohr is typically mid-July to mid-October, but the peak season is probably mid-August to the end of September if you want ideal conditions. July could well still have snow lingering around the summits, and will most likely be buggy, with snow usually returning at some point in October.
Top Tip
This is grizzly country so bear preparedness is essential. Bug spray is a must, especially if you go in early to mid-summer.
The trail is often very muddy so be prepared as such, especially earlier in the summer when snow melt is higher.
An offline map is recommended, though the trail is usually quite well marked with cairns.
