ARTIST POINT MOUNTAIN 2515m 8369′
On the northwestern spur of Mount Kemball.
1. North Slopes, East Ridge. Approach from the Keen Creek road. Pass over the Desmond Creek bridge (unsigned) at about 15 km (see road distance table). At about l5.8 km (9.8 miles), begin hiking on the Sturgis Creek trail/road (unsigned) which departs the Keen Creek road, diagonaling up and south and then southeast (good view of Mount Retallack and Hampshire Mt.).
Follow the trail in an old roadbed for about 2 hours to the remains of a cabin at 5700 feet (1740m; at 906-190). Leaving the trail, descend to and cross Sturgis Creek. Then ascend obvious alder, heather, talus and north snow slopes to the low point in the east ridge of the objective.
Follow the east ridge west to the summit, turning difficulties mainly on the south and occasionally on the north. Take care with loose granite on the ridge crest. This peak may have been climbed by miners. The party of the FRA found no cairn on the summit; 4.5 hours up, 3 hours return. (II,3,s).
FRA Jim Kienholz, Kim Kratky, August 10, 2002.
ARTIST POINT MOUNTAIN 2515 m, 8251’August 10 by Kim Kratky
Map Slocan 82F/14
This destination was substituted for the Mt. Cooper trip of Aug. 10-12 after no interest was expressed. The peak is located in Kokanee Glacier Park on a ridge extending northwest from Mt. Kemball and is accessed via Keen Creek. Details follow.
Drive the Keen Creek road to the Desmond Creek bridge (unsigned) at about km. 15; not far beyond, the road is washed out. Park and walk the road for about 15 min. until you see an older road branching off up and left. This is the Sturgis Creek trail/road, which is fairly well brushed out to at least GR 906-192, where you will pass the remains of a cabin (5700’, 2 hrs. walking).
Descend through open timber to the south to cross Sturgis Creek and ascend slopes of alder (mercifully brief), heather, talus, and snow to the obvious notch in the east ridge of the objective. Continue west along the ridge over several towers and large blocks, turning most difficulties on the left, to reach the flat-topped, narrow summit. 4 ó hours up; 3 hours return. Take care with loose granite on the ridge crest when doing this class 3 scramble. A cairn was built and a KMC register was put in place.
Climbed on August 10th by Jim Kienholz and Kim Kratky with support by Earle R. Whipple of Barcelona, Spain. Sturgis Creek trail seems to continue into the alpine, thus giving good access to Silver Spray Cabin via the ridge south of Mt. McQuarrie.
Kim Kratky
