05-Aug-2024 -- I had first attempted to reach this Degree Confluence Point ten years ago, in June 2014. At that time, however, there was still deep snow covering much of the Summit Trail, and I had to abandon my attempt. I resolved to reattempt this point in some future year - but in July or August, instead of June.
Today, in August, conditions were much better; there was no snow at all on the Summit Trail. My goal was the same as before: From Cameron Lake, hike up the Summit Trail (switchbacks) to Summit Lake, then hike down the Boundary Trail (more switchbacks) past the Canada-US border, and then bushwhack to the point (which lies just North of the border). Because this is grizzly bear country, I made sure to wear a bear bell, and to carry bear spray. (I also found bug spray very useful, as I was accosted by very large biting flies throughout my hike.)
My hike went to according to plan (though parts of the Boundary Trail were very overgrown, and sometimes a bit hard to follow). After crossing the Canada-US border cut, the Boundary Trail turned Eastward and ran just South of the border (i.e., within the U.S.). At [48.99576,-114.00000], 470m South of the point, I left the trail and bushwhacked North towards the point. I soon passed through the border cut - about 135m South of the point - and then continued North (reentering Canada), where the terrain became a lot steeper. After a lot of scrambling, I eventually reached the point, which lies on a South-facing slope, among several downed trees.
Because I was close to the US border (and within a Canadian National Park), I didn’t fly my drone to get an overhead view, but instead I recorded a video from ground level.
I returned to Cameron Lake by retracing my steps - ending up with a total hike of 20.3km.