First of all, I signed up almost exclusively to warn everyone that this is not a "beginner" hike. I love ridge walks and this one did not disappoint. Head up through the woods near the beginning of the parking area in a southeast direction. Be sure to go earlier if you want to complete the full hike. This hike gives you the luxury to choose how long you want to spend on the trail. We planned to beat the sunrise. Directions: Finally, my friend and I rushed through this in under 4 hours partly because there was a bit of a rainstorm and a tonne of wind near the top. Drive for about 17 KM (10.5 miles) and turn left into the Wasootch day use area. You have just hiked 900 m. No difficulty. As far as the open top with cairn at 365447, you have been on a really good trail made official … Head up through the woods near the beginning of the parking area in a southeast direction. At the top is a few Inukshuk which seemed to be a turn around point for some. If you're not planning on going the full way I wouldn't reccomend starting this hike. Trailhead: the trailhead is 17 km south of Highway 1 on Highway 40; the parking lot is on the left (east) side of the road about a half km off the highway; the trailhead starts out of the north side of the parking lot . Wasootch Ridge is a lumpy walk with lots of up and down, even after you’ve gained the main ridge line. A long ridge in Kananaskis Country dividing Wasootch Creek and Porcupine Creek. You start gaining as soon as you hit the trail but once you do that ini… Few climbing sections and then a bit of a tough, steep push to the top. Please refer to the trail description in the guidebook, especially for unofficial, off-trail hikes. Difficulty: In terms of technical difficulty, it depends how far you go. When Dinah and I climbed Wasootch Peak in 2005, we did so in winter conditions and stopped just short of the summit.Wanting to write a complete description for this popular peak, I returned to hike it in the summer. Highlights: Well-defined trail along the ridge line offers views of Wasootch Creek and the Nakiska Ski Hill. Distance: 15.4 km return / 9.56 miles return Elevation: 1451 m / 4761 ft. elevation gain Type: Out and back Length: 4.5-6.5 hours return to the furthest peak. Difficulty: Moderate up until the cairn, then the scramble to the … Description. Wasootch Ridge • Review. Push through because the view from the top is sublime! Starts off steep then gets has lots of mellow ups and downs once you're on top of the ridge. With the creek to your right, the route rises quickly through trees â a great test for your hiking fitness. As the trees clear the views become exceptional â just remember to keep looking down so you donât trip. Wasootch Peak is for people who's inner scrambler is screaming to push on when they're on Wasootch Ridge. Difficult. The first part of the trail is a good climb, well worth it. Altitude: 2,362m (7,747 ft) Elevation Gain: 916m (3,005 ft) Ascent Time: 2 – 3 Hours. You will reach a solid rock outcrop. Wasootch is the most northernly peak along the MacDougall Range which include peaks such as Kananaskis Peak, Old Baldy Mountain, Mount MacDougall and Volcano Peak. After theres a bit of a scramble with some open drop offs that may worry some, then its up and down for while until finally you get out in the open, thats where I found the views started to get really worth the effort. Wasootch Peak is a 2,352-metre (7,717-foot) mountain summit located in the Fisher Range of Kananaskis Country in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada.The peak is situated on the northern end of the ridge that separates Wasootch Creek from the Kananaskis River.Wasootch Peak's nearest higher peak is Old Baldy, 1.54 km (0.96 mi) to the southeast. Wasootch's southern ridge is the most popular route to the summit for scramblers and hikers. Wasootch Ridge Hike Scramble – Kananaskis Highway 40 Scramble: Class 1 – Steep Hiking to "End of Trail", Class 2+ to the high point with off trail some route … Looming over the ridge is Wasootch Peak, and to see a report on it, follow this link… Wasoothc Peak attempt. Looking ahead there is a dead-end valley. Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking, Some hands on and route finding on the moderate open ridge just above tree line. Thats the trail head, its not marked for the trail name. We ran into a giant her of bighorn sheep on the way down. On a sunny weekend, we only…, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. No spam. When: June 8, 2019 . You can walk as far as you would like along the ridge which is why there are such varying elevation profiles online (700m-1400m). The parking lot is a little confusing as there are several trails through the woods leading up the ridge along with a path along the creek. Who: Ed, Jace, Joey, Craig . Distance: 11.7 km round-trip with 750 metres of elevation gain. The are pleasant spots to take amazing landscape shots. Beautiful! We were 8 people on this hike. For an excellent description on how to get to that cairn, check out Hike to the Top of Wasootch Ridge by Andrew Lunt! As you come through the forest, take a moment to look back at your car and see how far youâve gone! Congratulations! Look forward to doing this one again. The trail is easy to see throughout this hike but from here it does start getting a little more difficult theres some scrambling where the only option is to use your hands, then to the "top" where there is a rocky lookout with 360 views, thats where I stopped. This is not a major scramble, however as you progress, the technical nature of the trip gets more pronounced with the trail narrowing and a descent of some big boulders. To start this hike you go to the Wasootch ridge day area, once you reach the parking lot the washroom is on the right and to the left is a small sign. Wasootch Peak II Kananaskis, Alberta June 24, 2017. Once you reach a high point, the view of Kananaskis opens up and never gets old as you continuing along the ridge. Back to Area selection – use your back button to select another trail in the same area. It was a steep hike up and as you got to the ridge it was super windy. Anyways, the views on this one are quite nice the whole way. Just a little steep rubble slope to deal with. Eventually, around 5.5km, youâll meet your first real test of scrambling. Hiking along the bumps is pleasant, as the path is wide with several braids of trail meandering throughout. Difficulty Notes: Almost all the scrambling sections on this ridge can be avoided. Alternatively, mountain goats or highly skilled climbers can take the last bit of the ridge directly to the summit, but there are harrowing sections, quite dangerous, and to be avoided … Check your hair and body before getting back into your car. This photo is taken near the beginning of the hike, once we’d done a thigh-burning scramble up a steep trail through the forest to the crest of the ridge. gain: 900 metersTime required: 5 - 7 hoursDirections: From Calgary head w We were at the trail at 4am to start the hike. Sun, May 12, 2013, 8:30 AM: Wasootch Ridge Winter Hike T4No BeginnersDistance: 12 km (Round Trip)Difficulty: ModerateElev. gain: 762 metersTime required: 5 - … I would recommend taking more time than we did because by the time I had reached the bottom, my knees were pretty shot and I would have wanted more time to enjoy the view at the top given better conditions. Be aware there are climbers below so please don't throw anything off the ridge! I've been hiking consistently for 20 years and still found parts of the ridge a bit narrow and sketchy, and if you are afraid of heights you likely will have problems in some spots. With Porcupine Creek (out of sight) on one side and Wasootch Creek on the other, it stretches out far into the distance. Unfortunately, what is steep and hard to ascend can also be tricky to descend! There is a nice rock windbreak here (in 2015) to sit and admire the views before turning around. Definitely bring a windbreaker and raincoat. Next time. gain: 650 m Difficulty: Difficult This is one rewarding hike! Difficulty: Moderate up until the cairn, then the scramble to the summit is … only at the final section, the snow got high so we had to turn back, but the ridge walk opens so many great views, there isn't a point where the trail has to end. The beginning is very steep and the scree slopes near the top will give you a solid workout. Many climbers visit the Wasootch Slabs regularly, especially those that are transitioning from indoor climbing to rock walls. Wasootch Ridge Trail is a 9.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta, Canada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. This section requires you to scramble up a rocky area through some trees to continue on the ridge. Difficulty. The only difficulty I had was the loose section of trail to descend from the ridge, but even then all it required was a bit of vigilance and patience. We are monitoring our operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this page is updated as adjustments are made. Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Volume 1 Trail #16, Trailhead: Wasootch Creek 50.97076N, -115.09434W, Your browser does not support displaying the Trailhead Map. This is a board ridge so over all it is pretty mellow hiking - nothing that is scary. Distance 13.8 km return, height gain 975 m. The long ridge dividing Wasootch Creek from the south fork of Porcupine Creek has evolved into one of K Country's classic ridgewalks with a delectable little summit at the end. There is never any need to cross over the ridge. Take the very obvious gully leading to the Tower and follow a well defined climbers trail, staying left. Grassi Lake and Chester Lake are "beginner hikes" and it does no one any benefit to rate the technical difficulty of this as 'beginner'. The path ahead will be clear, so continue to stay on the ridge top following the well-defined trail. Thats the trail head, its not marked for the trail name. The summit view. At about the 7km mark you reach the Wasootch Ridge Cairn. 08 Wasootch Ridge | 2013-05-11. If you want to do same, I recommend to hike in a big group. This peaks lower elevation and Front Range location makes for great climbing year round. To start this hike you go to the Wasootch ridge day area, once you reach the parking lot the washroom is on the right and to the left is a small sign. Bring poles, this is a steep one and they help greatly on the descent. As you leave the parking lot, head southeast. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. To see some other ridges we’ve explored, go here… Carry Ridge. The views are truly magical, and if the trail isnât busy, youâll feel like you have the whole world to yourself. Scramble up and over it and BOOM, there you are on the summit of Wasootch Peak. The term Wasootch originates from a Stoney Indian word meaning “unique” and many features in the area share that name (Wasootch Ridge, Wasootch Peak, Wasootch Creek). The hike starts off steeply on a trail full of small pebbles and stones – the kind that lead to skidding, ankle twisting falls on the descent. we've done it during the winter, and it was fantastic. Follow the short drive for roughly 750m to the parking lot. Sat, Mar 29, 2014, 8:30 AM: Wasootch Ridge Winter Hike T4/OT4No BeginnersDistance: 12 km (Round Trip)Difficulty: ModerateElev. The parking lot is a little confusing as there are several trails through the woods leading up the ridge along with a path along the creek. As you get farther along the ridge you get views down into Wasootch Creek on your right. Wasootch Ridge Hike . Bring poles if you have them and just apologize to your knees in advance. At approximately 5.8km there will be a point where proceeding further becomes more exposed and requires more scrambling. When: May 8, 2020 . Wasootch Peak - Kananaskis Highway 40 - Opposite Nakiska Ski Hill. Unfortunately, what goes up must come down, and each bump has a drop down before the next bump rises. This is a real grind from the start, you gain wicked elevation in just 2km. This is a great day out! Wasootch Ridge, Kananaskis Country (off of Highway 40) A steep hike gets you onto an undulating ridge with expansive views. This description will be focusing on the trail to the summit from the main cairn on Wasootch Ridge. Once up on the ridge lots of up and down lesser peaks. From Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), take the exit for AB-40 south. As you rise to the first of the bumps along the ridge, youâll quickly notice there are still more to come. This is where most people turn back, however this is not the true summit of Wasootch ridge. The scramble to the ridge is considered a … Is pleasant, as the trees clear the views become exceptional â just remember to keep looking so... Creek on your right, the route down is the same area below so please n't... The forest, take a moment to look back on the trail,... Very obvious gully leading to the Tower and follow a well defined climbers trail, staying.! Do n't throw anything off the ridge Geoff, Lynn, Chris, Finn, Winnie Michael! So over all it is pretty mellow hiking - nothing that is scary route over little! Reach the Wasootch Creek and the Nakiska Ski Hill Nakiska sunny weekend we. Climb and really get the lungs and legs going only…, Today for free and be the first of... Just apologize to your right, the valley feels isolated, with no other sounds or trails.... With 750 metres of elevation gain: 762 metersTime required: 5 - … Wasootch ridge is underrated! The most popular route to the summit for scramblers and hikers views on this one are nice. To ascend can also be tricky to descend of scrambling pleasant spots to take amazing shots... 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Before getting back into your car 24, 2017 - trailhead: Wasootch is a.... You donât trip still enjoyed a great test for your hiking fitness that you ease into into day... Head, its not marked for the trail name be the first to to! Inner scrambler is screaming to push on when they 're on Wasootch starts. A little steep rubble slope to deal with: 5 hours and each bump has drop... Screaming to push on when they 're on Wasootch ridge hike a hidden right. Is primarily used for hiking, some hands on and route finding on the ridgeline, valley... The ridge you get farther along the ridge 5 hours wasootch ridge difficulty, it is pretty mellow hiking nothing! Is good value, and bird watching and is best used from until! Wicked elevation in just 2km choose how long you want to complete the full hike the whole to... Gain: 762 metersTime required: 5 hours finding on the descent ( 7,747 ft ) elevation:. Care, but in general, it is a board ridge so over all it is pretty mellow hiking nothing! A turn around point for some and hikers several braids of trail throughout! There are climbers below so please do n't throw anything off the ridge lots of especially. A great view is an easy choice as one of the Trans-Canada Highway towards and! Truly magical, and each bump has a drop down before the next bump.... A bit of the best hikes near Canmore used from April until.... Peak, and bird watching and is best used from April until October steep for steep. Food is good value, and each bump has a drop down the! A big eater, consider stopping at the top will give you a solid workout that cairn, out.
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