We have ushered in the last month of the calendar year 2025, and winter has slowly and surreptitiously crept in. I always enjoy the winter months, though they at times trouble you with a runny nose and a heavy head.  

Tucked away inside my cabin, fingers gently tapping the keys, eyes glued to the screen, indifferent to the muffled chatter of the oriental magpie (perched on the tender branch outside my window), but the mind.. seems to be transported to those undulating terrains where thick lumps of freshly fallen snow can be seen sitting atop the ridges.

Yes, that is where my heart wandered too – as my fingers sifted through the several folders after folders of photographs of these impressive Himalayas. Indeed, today feels slightly chiller than yesterday…. or perhaps these images have created that ambiance around me. It doesn’t really matter.

Whenever caught in such a quandary, I have always tried to zero-in on a particular mountain and soak in all the memories associated with it. I felt the same impulse this time as well, so I decided to put together a dedicated post featuring some of my moments and photographs from travels and hikes around this fantastic peak – Mount Trishul.

A bit of history on Trishul

Trishul has 3 peaks (Trishul I, II and III), with Trishul I being the tallest, rising to roughly 7,120 metres above sea level. Trishul I (then called Trisul) was first summited in 1907 by a British expedition led by Tom George Longstaff and his team. This was the 1^st ever ascent of a 7,000+ metre peak anywhere in the world. It instantly brough a lot of recognition to Trishul among the mountaineering fraternity.

Location of the Peak

The peak is location in the western Kumaon region of district Bageshwar. Geographically the location is right on the frontier with the Chamoli district of Garhwal region. In fact, the hiking to the base of the peak is accessed via the Garhwal region, with Lohajung (Mundoli) being the key base for the trails. It is interesting in a sense that the dialect spoken by the residents of the area intertwines both Kumaoni and Garhwal vernaculars, forming a very unique blend intrinsic to this region only.

Let’s explore this peak from multiple vantage points, each captured beautifully through the lens.

Photo1 – Trishul and the Grazing Meadows

Trishul spirals into the sky, while below, the serene and lush green meadows of Bedni Bugyal stand in perfect harmony. The grazing sheep adds a gentle charm to this stunning frame.

Location – Bedni Bugyal, enroute to Roopkund, District Chamoli (Garhwal region), Uttarakhand

Photo2 – Trishul splashed in the orange hues of the Setting sun

Ranikhet is a charming hill station in Uttarakhand and home to the headquarters of the Kumaon regiment. From here, you can witness splendid 180-degree vistas of the Himalayan peaks stretching endlessly as far as the eyes can see. As I zoom-in on Trishul, the evening light illuminates it in a soft golden glow.

Location – Ranikhet, District Almora (Kumaon region), Uttarakhand

Photo3 – Trishul shimmering bright in the morning Sun

Trishul appears freshly draped in white as the first rays of the morning sun touch its gentle surface. This picture was taken from our camp site at Gairoli Patal, one of the rest stops between Wan village and Bedni Bigyal.

Location – Gairoli Patal, District Chamoli (Garhwal region), Uttarakhand

Photo4 – Trishul in full Glory | All 3 peaks in view

The entire front façade reveals itself as I witness this magnificence from the Brahmatal top on the opposite ridge, during my trek to Brahmatal in January 2024. Somewhere within these rugged mountains lies the mysterious Roopkund Lake. Next year, the once-in-12-years Nanda Devi Raj Jat will traverse this very terrain on its sacred journey to Homkund, carrying the doli of Goddess Nanda Devi.

Location – Brahmatal Summit (Top), District Chamoli (Garhwal region), Uttarakhand

Photo5 – Trishul’s View from Kasar Devi (Almora)

Kasar Devi, a tiny (but increasingly famous) mountain hamlet roughly 9 kms from the bustling town of Almora, offers uninterrupted views of the Himalayan peaks. And among them, standing bright and upright, is Mount Trishul. Colourful Pahadi houses, sprinkled across the slopes, lend their own serene magic to the landscape.

Location – Kasar Devi, District Almora (Kumaon region), Uttarakhand

Photo6 –  A moment with Trishul and a Furry Companion

On the way back from the Brahmatal trek, at a rest stop called Jhandi Top, I sat down on a gentle rock — clear blue sky above and a magical Trishul in front of me. A cool breeze drifted through, and a wonderful furry companion settled beside me. In that silence, we all soaked in the milieu.

Location – Jhandi Top (Brahmatal trek), District Chamoli (Garhwal region), Uttarakhand

Photo7 –  Trishul Meets Trishul

Standing in the middle of the stone-walled temple, the trident reaches out to its Lord — seated in serene devotion at his abode, Mount Trishul.

Location – Jhandi Top (Brahmatal trek), District Chamoli (Garhwal region), Uttarakhand

Photo8 –  On the road to Kanda – A glimpse of Trishul

Some years ago, in a winter month, I was driving from Bageshwar to Kanda. As we gained altitude, inching a few kilometres along the road, the fog below finally cleared, and we were greeted with a bright sunrise. And there, rising in the distance, the Himalayas revealed themselves in perfect splendour. The leftmost peak in the photo is Mount Trishul.

Location – Mankot village (Bageshwar – Kanda road) District Bageshwar (Kumaon region), Uttarakhand

I hope you enjoyed the post and absorbed the grandeur of Mount Trishul.

More peak stories—interested?