Unfortunately for us, a low cloud deck kept getting lower, until it enveloped us. We reached treeline and crossed into barren alpine terrain, but saw no far-ranging views at all. On the plus side, there was no one else around - we had the place to ourselves.
Not expecting any great precipice views anymore, we walked over the flat alpine tundra to the lookout at the edge of the cirque in which lay the Lac-aux-Americains. There was no view to be had. Plus it started to rain, and so we didn't stay for long.
Clouds at about 3500 feet
We hiked back down at a very rapid clip, arriving back at the entrance to the Lake at about 8:40 am. Perhaps by some cruel twist of fate, it had now suddenly become sunny, and we could see the final wisps of the clouds that had blocked our view slowly melting away. If I hadn't had a schedule to follow, I'd have been half-tempted to hike back up!
Interactive Trackmap - Mont Xalibu Hike - click map to Expand
Start Time:
5:06a.m.
End Time:
9:02a.m.
Duration:
3h56m
Distance:
11.9 km
(7.39 mi)
Average Speed:
3.0 km/hr
(1.9 mph)
Start Elevation:
1907ft
(581m)
*
Max Elevation:
3758ft
(1146m)
*
Min Elevation:
1907ft
(581m)
*
End Elevation:
1958ft
(597m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
1866ft
(569m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
1800ft
(549m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
