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Mount Indefatigable |
| Elevation 2670m at north summit Height Gain Time to Reach Summit Degree of Difficulty Scenery Date of Most-recent Ascent |
Third time out and I finally get lucky. On two previous attempts, the trail was either closed due to bears or a lightning storm chased me off the mountain. If you're looking for an easy time of it try doing just the south summit. The scramblers on the other hand will enjoy the traverse. I'd recommend the north-to-south route as the trickier sections tend to be upclimbs from this direction. Mid-late September is a good time for this outing as the larch-filled valleys take on a golden colour. Drive south on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) to the Kananaskis Lakes turnoff. Turn right and follow the road to the North Interlakes parking area (GPS reference 50d37m53s N, 115d08m26s W). From the parking lot walk across the dam and over the footbridge at the end. Just as the trail enters forest hang a right. Initially the wide trail meanders through thick forest. Within 20 minutes the grade increases and soon you are pulling yourself up ragged slabs. The trail emerges onto the open east ridge of Indefatigable, providing improving views of Lower Kananaskis Lake and the Opal and Elk range mountains. Along the way there are actually two view points complete with bench seating for six. You may miss the first tourist stop if you inadvertently (or deliberately) follow a minor branch trail which skirts under the rocky mound. On reaching the second view point you've hit the end of the official trail. Backtrack a few paces and pick up the trail on your left. At the next two junctions keep right. Follow the trail as it clears forest. Directly on your left is the south summit - just slightly to the left of the radio antenna. Up ahead in the distance you should see the darker coloured gully leading to the saddle which divides the north summit and outlier GR298132. A trail is clearly visible in the gully. Continue along the trail as it makes it way hastily through bear-frequented meadows. Circle the seasonal tarn on its right and start toiling up the gully. At the crest of the gully (GPS reference 50d38m45s N, 115d10m08s W) make a left towards the summit. A reasonable trail ensues, but as the terrain gets rockier you'll need to get creative with your scrambling skills. Note that the majority of the last 100 meters is crumbly loose rock. You'd be well advised to check all hand and foot holds before putting your weight on them. When you arrive at the north summit (GPS reference 50d39m14s N, 115d10m14s W), if Mt. Invincible to the northwest is of any interest you'll want to take your photos here, otherwise it'll be obscured when you reach the south summit. The view here is splendid but not too different from the south end. Best to move on and savour the view later. The initial going on the ridge heading south is mildly exposed. After a brief section you can either stay on the ridge top itself or drop down to more comfortable surroundings on the left (eventually you'll be forced to scramble back up to the ridge). Scrambling sections are challenging but quite manageable. Again, be careful of loose rock. The north-south traverse will take 30 minutes to an hour. When you reach the south summit (GPS reference 50d38m47s N, 115d09m56s W) try to disregard the unsightly radio antenna and solar panels. Focus on the panoramic view of the Kananaskis Lakes below; marvel at the glacier-clad mountains to the south - Mt. Joffre the highest and the most obvious. The highpoint directly west is Mt. Putnik; backdropped by the Royal Group: Starting from the south we have Mt. Princess Mary; Mt. Prince George; Mt. King George; Mt. Prince Albert; Mt. Prince Edward; Mt. Prince Henry; Mt. Prince John; and Mt. Queen Mary. Everyone talks about the Royal Group but nobody ever names them - I thought I'd put them in for the trivia buffs. Rather than returning the same way, follow the trail coming up to the south summit for an easy descent. Once in trees take the right fork at a junction. You'll eventually merge with the ridge trail which you came up on earlier in the day; just below the second view point.
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