Pincher Ridge

July 3, 2020. An easy scramble (with some unpleasant bushwhacking) to the summit of Pincher Ridge in the Castle Wilderness, followed by a quick visit to Drywood Falls. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 14.7 km round-trip Total ascent: 1082 m Elevation of objective: 2426 m Total Time: 4h 49m Safety […]

Avion Ridge via Goat Lake

June 22, 2020. A bike and hike to a high mountain ridge on the northern border of Waterton Lakes National Park. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 21.6 km round-trip (approximately 10 km on bike) Total Elevation Gain: 886 m Elevation of Objective: 2370+ m Total Time: 5h 32m […]

Mount Ward

June 21, 2020. A straight-forward scramble with impressive views in the Crowsnest Pass. Region: Crowsnest Pass. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 4.8 km round-trip from the east shore of Window Mountain Lake Total Elevation Gain: 651 m from Window Mountain Lake Elevation of Objective: 2567 m Total Time: 2h 45m round-trip from […]

Whistler Mountain and Lookout

June 10, 2020. A steep on-trail ascent to a summit and abandoned fire lookout site in Castle Wildland Provincial Park. [September 2024 note – having recently revisited this route I can say that the information below remains up to date] Nearby the well-known and justifiably popular Table Mountain in the Castle Wilderness, is Whistler Mountain. Whistler […]

Yarrow Ridge

June 1, 2020. A straight-forward scramble with rewarding views in the Castle Wilderness. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Ktunaxa, and Tsuu T’ina First Nations Distance: 8 km Total Ascent: 632 m Elevation of Objective: 2052 m Total Time: 3h 23m Safety and Disclaimer I had intended to visit Waterton today, the first day of its reopening following […]

Rawson Lake

February 8, 2020. A popular all-season hike to a gorgeous lake in Kananaskis Country. Region: Kananaskis Country. Traditional territory of the Stoney, Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, Michif Piyii Metis, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 7 km round-trip to and from the nearest part of the lake Total Ascent: 292 m Elevation of Objective: 1997 m Total time: 2h Safety and Disclaimer […]

Troll Falls & Marmot Creek Upper Falls

February 7, 2020. A trip to K-country’s most famous accessible waterfall, followed by an exploration of a new trail to the less frequently visited Upper Falls. Region: Kananaskis Country. Traditional territory of the Stoney-Nakoda, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations. Distance: 5.4 km round-trip Total Ascent: 100 m Elevation of Objective: 1,538 m Hiking time: 1h 30m Safety and Disclaimer […]

Byron Hill

January 27, 2020. A snowshoe trip to a low summit in the Crowsnest Pass. Region: Crowsnest Pass. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 8.2 km round trip Total Ascent: 643 m Elevation of objective: 1836 m Total Time: 4h 4m Safety and Disclaimer For my first summit of 2020, I decided to knock […]

Mount Baldy to Mount Albert Loop

December 10, 2019. A scenic snowshoe loop, touching two low summits in Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. Region: Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: 8.45 km loop Elevation of Objective: Mount Baldy 1,585 m, Mount Albert 1,691 m Total Ascent: 425 m Total Time: 3h 16m Safety and Disclaimer […]

“The Promised Land” (The Ptolemy Plateau)

August 24, 2019. A journey to one of the gems of the Crowsnest Pass. Region: Crowsnest Pass. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 7.5 km one-way to the lip of the hanging valley, 19 km round-trip including exploring in the valley Total ascent: 710 m to the lip of the hanging valley, 900 […]