Kananaskis – Page 2 – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

The Larches from Burstall Pass

Hiking towards the pass... but don't forget to look back! — Hiking towards the pass… but don’t forget to look back!

Alas, the fall season is almost over.

I still can’t get used to the extremely short fall in Calgary. There are no crazy reds and oranges that characterize the autumn of the east, but we do have a vibrant gold for about 2 to 3 weeks. For avid hikers in the Rockies, it’s a small window that should not be missed, so when Ry (my bro) was here, I knew we had to hike in an area where the larches could be seen. Larches are conifers like pine trees, but change colour and lose their leaves in the fall. Calgarians and tourists alike will flock to the Larch Valley near Lake Louise each September to hike among the larches, but it’s ridiculously busy. Like, they need a shuttle bus kind of busy! And since I generally try to avoid crowds, I searched for other options. Pocaterra Cirque is my favourite place to go, but we opted for Burstall Pass in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which consistently ranks as one of the best places for larch viewing in the Kananaskis region. It would be a sure win for Ry, and a new hike for me. Continue reading “The Larches from Burstall Pass”

Moose Mountain: In Photos

Ahoy! There's a the fire lookout! — Ahoy! There’s the fire lookout!

Looking for a Not-So-Strenuous Summit Hike in Bragg Creek?

Back in 2010 when I started hiking, I had heard about Moose Mountain. I can’t remember exactly what information I received, but I put it on my list as a strenuous hike that one day… some day… I would complete. Fast forward a few years with many intense hikes to my name, and Moose Mountain is still a summit I had not conquered. And it turns out it isn’t too strenuous at all! Hmm… makes me wonder why I had not completed it sooner. Continue reading “Moose Mountain: In Photos”

Mount Baldy: In Photos

Even if you don't make it to the summit of Mount Baldy, it's hard not to be impressed with the views within a short period of time. — Ascending Mount Baldy. It’s hard not to be impressed with the views within a short period of time.

Looking for a great after work scramble from Calgary?

One of the reasons I love living in Calgary is its proximity to the mountains. This is no secret and I often post about how grateful I feel to live where I do. Whenever my friend Dan visits for mountain adventures, there’s always an after work hike. This year’s choice? Mount Baldy at 2192 metres and an elevation gain of 800 metres.

After a fun day of statistical programming (weeee!), we left the university after 4 pm and headed to Kananaskis. Taking the Highway 40 exit and travelling south for approximately 12 km, we parked at an open lot on the right and geared up. The trailhead is a little before the lot on the opposite side of the road at a stream. The trail is well worn, steep, rocky, and awesome. Incredible views of Kananaskis Trail, Barrier Lake, and the Baldy ridge make the short ascent quite interesting. There are a few sketchy scrambling sections about halfway up (ie. a scary down climb and a rock wall to climb over) , but all can be avoided by bypassing them to the right. Thankfully for us, clouds blew over as we neared the top and provided amazing views all around. As the sun set behind the mountains and the light faded, we decided to forgo the ridge walk and head back to the car. But hey, that’s okay! For a 4-hour round trip scramble after work, I’m not complaining. 🙂 Continue reading “Mount Baldy: In Photos”

The Fortress-Mount Chester Col Loop: In Photos

We were pretty sure The Fortress/Chester col was ahead in the cloud somewhere... — We were pretty sure The Fortress/Chester col was ahead in the cloud somewhere…

Crossing over Headwall Creek and turning left at the well marked ribbon and cairn

So the plan was to hike to The Fortress, which has been on my list for a long time. Mother Nature, however, had a different plan. Shrouded in a dense cloud, it was impossible to see The Fortress or Mount Chester from the col. I suppose I could have climbed to the summit regardless, but since there was a high risk of bear activity in the area, I opted to choose safety in numbers over crossing this peak off the list. Also, there are no views to be seen when you’re in a cloud! Next time…

The hike to the col via Headwall Lakes with a return via Chester Lake made for a super nice day hike of 8.25 hours. Long, yes, but with varied scenery between the two valleys, and gorgeous lakes and meadows along the way, the loop is definitely worthwhile. Continue reading “The Fortress-Mount Chester Col Loop: In Photos”

Opal Ridge (South Peak): In Photos

A gorgeous view. I'm pretty sure that sharp peak is Mount Potts. — A gorgeous view. I’m pretty sure that sharp peak is Mount Potts.

Looking for an Awesome Scramble in Kananaskis? Try Opal Ridge!

For some reason, the south peak of Opal Ridge is a scramble I had forgotten about, so when a friend suggested we hike it, I was total on board. Four of us headed to the Fortress Junction Service Station on Highway 40 in Kananaskis and geared up, ready for a long day. From the north side of the parking lot, we headed north through the grass and crossed over the drainage creek to start the ascent on trail that leads to the top (Note: You want to be on the left side, or north, of the drainage as you ascend). This one has it all: a steep ascent, loose and large rocks on which to scramble, lovely wildflowers, a grassy meadow before the last push (equipped with the perfect rock on which to have lunch!), and then a final hike up to the south peak with views of the surrounding valleys and mountains that will leave you breathless. As an added bonus, you can scree down parts of the descent. Squeee for the scree! Photos don’t do it justice, but it’ll give a pretty good idea of the awesomeness to expect. Continue reading “Opal Ridge (South Peak): In Photos”