Hawkins Horseshoe Part 2: Mount Hawkins

July 24, 2022. The second leg of the Hawkins Horseshoe: the ridge walk to Mount Hawkins. See Part 1 of this trip report for distance and elevation details for the entire route. Safety and Disclaimer Departing from Aahkoinimaiisták, I proceeded west along the ridge top to a slightly lower adjacent high point before descending further […]

Hawkins Horseshoe Part 1: Aahkoinimaiistak (Mount Blakiston)

July 24, 2022. An amazing high level ridge walk, starting off with a visit to Waterton’s tallest summit. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional Territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations. Distance: 24 km loop Total Ascent: 2200 m Elevation of Objective: 2910 m (Aahkoinimaiisták/Blakiston), 2607 m ( Mount Hawkins), 2728 m […]

Festubert Mountain via Mount Rowe

July 16, 2022. A long ridge walk between two summits on the Continental Divide. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional Territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: 32 km round-trip Total Ascent: Approximately 2000 m due to repeated altitude loss/gain on the outward and return journey Elevation of Objective: 2522 m […]

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 […]

Rimwall Summit

June 10, 2022. A short scramble to great views of the Spray Lakes area. Region: Kananaskis Country. Traditional territory of the Stoney, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 7.7 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 1000 m Elevation of Objective: 2657 m (Kane’s guidebook puts it at 2680 m) Total Time: 5h 14m Safety and Disclaimer […]

Forum Ridge

March 19, 2022. Steep snowshoeing to expansive views above Cameron Lake. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Ktunaxa, and Tsuu T’ina First Nations Distance: 10.7 km round-trip Total Ascent: 615 m Elevation of Objective: 2207 m Total Time: 4h 7m Safety and Disclaimer For the last day of winter 2022 I […]

Ruby Ridge

October 19, 2021. Straightforward scrambling to magnificent views of Waterton’s two tallest mountains. *The net elevation change is only 880m, but the ridge walk (and then the return ridge walk) add to the total ascent for the day. Alternate descent routes could knock about 150m off the total Now that we’re firmly in shoulder season […]

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: […]

Mount Rowe (via Northeast Ridge)

August 7, 2021. A relatively quick scramble to a summit overlooking the beautiful Rowe Lakes. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional territory of the Ktnuaxa, Tsuu T’ina and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 16 km round-trip Total Ascent: 918 m Elevation of Objective: 2466 m Total Time: 5h 6m Safety and Disclaimer As the smoky summer […]

Emerald Lake

July 21, 2021. A family-friendly walk around a gem-blue lake in Yoho National Park. Region: Yoho National Park. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 5.4 km loop Total Ascent: Minimal Safety and Disclaimer Emerald Lake is a great destination for anyone looking for an easy walk around a lake in beautiful […]