Route: leaving the car at the Brainard Lake carpark because the Long Lake carpark was already full at 10:30am (on a Friday) and thus walking by the lake and then on paths to the Long Lake trailhead. Taking the Pawnee Pass Trail through a forest of spruce and pine on soft ground with initial views of Long Lake. Turning right to spurn the Jean Lunning Trail and slowly gaining ground with occasional views into the head of the valley. At some altitude above Lake Isabelle ignoring the trail onwards and turning right to climb increasingly out of the trees, on rockier ground and in a series of switchbacks to reach a first shoulder, a bare rocky plateau, with fine views of surrounding mountains. On a second set of zigzags gaining the next shoulder and then gradually ascending to a sign marking Pawnee Pass. Here finding a faint path with some cairns to climb the gentle slop of Pawnee Peak with mercifully no false summits. Descending the same way with dark clouds ahead but no rain experienced.
Conditions: For the first half of the day, sun and blue skies though not too hot. On the descent, darker clouds and evidence of rain and even hail near the trailhead.
Critters: seen: chipmunks, marmots, squirrels and a bluebird; (heard but not seen) pikas - lots of
Pub: the Upslope Brewery at Lee Hill Drive, for Upslope Yuzu Zest IPA, India Pale Ale and nachos with both hot green sauce and salsa.
