Lys Ridge

September 21, 2024. A long, scenic ridge walk on the Autumnal Equinox. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 26.3 km loop Total Ascent: 1695 m (repeated gain and loss of elevation occurs during the ridge walk) Elevation of Objective: 2520 m Total Time: 11h 35m Safety and Disclaimer Lys Ridge […]

“Frankie Peak” & “Larry Mountain”

September 8, 2024. A long ridge walk tagging two lesser-visited summits in the Castle. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 15.7 km round-trip Total Ascent: 1403 m (elevation is lost and regained a few times) Frankie Peak: 2320 m Larry Mountain: 2320 m These figures are as recorded by […]

Mount Haig and Gravenstafel Ridge

August 5, 2023. A return to Mount Haig to deal with the “unfinished business” of Gravenstafel Ridge. Region: Castle Mountain Resort. Traditional territory of the Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 13.9 km loop Total Ascent: 1550 m Elevation of Objective: 2610 m (Mount Haig), 2393 m (Gravenstafel Ridge) Total Time: 6h 26m […]

Syncline Mountain

July 29, 2023. Tagging 2 of the 3 peaks of a distinctive mountain in the Castle Wilderness. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: Approximately 12km – my various apps varied wildly on this one Total Ascent: 1320 m due to elevation loss and gain between summits […]

Tombstone Mountain & Boot Hill

July 9, 2022. A long day out tagging two peaks just west of the Alberta/BC border. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional Territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: 22.5 km round-trip Total Ascent: 2100 m (different apps gave different results, the high end was 2300 m) Elevation of Objective: 2499 m (Boot […]

Drywood to Loaf Mountain Traverse

June 18, 2022. A scenic long-distance ridge walk in the Castle Wilderness. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: 30.4 km loop Total Ascent: 2127 m – there is substantial and repeated loss and regain of altitude along the route Elevation of Objective: 2634 m (the summit […]

Barnaby Ridge

September 24, 2021. A spectacular autumn scramble and ridge walk in the Castle Wilderness. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 19.9 km round-trip Total Ascent: 1712 m (there is substantial gain/loss/gain of altitude along the ridge, which is then repeated on the return trip) Elevation of Objective: […]

Rainy Ridge and Middlepass Lakes

June 18, 2021. A bike and hike trip to a true hidden gem of the Southern Rockies. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 23.8 km round-trip Total Ascent: 1300 m Elevation of Objective: 2463 m Total Time: 6h 46m Safety and Disclaimer I decided to visit […]

Mount Gladstone (via North Castle)

June 11, 2021. A bike & scramble featuring some great views but also some prolonged hiking off-trail in dense forest. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Tssu T’ina, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 20.5 km round-trip Total Ascent: 1500 m (the route involves some gain/loss/gain of altitude) Elevation of Objective: 2453 m Time: […]

North Drywood Falls

May 29, 2021. An easy and popular family hike to an attractive waterfall. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional Territory of the Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 4.1 km one-way Total Ascent: 150 m Elevation of Objective: 1690 m Time: 1h 15m one-way Safety and Disclaimer Often just referred to as Drywood Falls, this […]