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HomeWasootch Ridge
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Wasootch Ridge |
| Elevation 2323m Height
Gain Time to Reach Summit Degree of Difficulty Scenery Date of Most-recent
Ascent |
Access is from
the Wasootch Creek picnic area on Kananaskis Trail. The trail head is on the north side of
the parking lot next to the picnic tables. Almost immediately, the trail climbs hastily up hillside to a shoulder. With the exception of the final scramble to the summit, this is as steep as it gets. In half an hour or so you gain the top of this first ridge top. Continue along the good trail up to the next bump. Through clearing from this second high point you get the first glimpse of the summit 5km away! The worst part is that you'll be staring at this objective for the next couple of hours, and no matter how fast you go, it never seems to get any closer. The trail will take you over no less than another half-dozen minor peaks before reaching open terrain leading to the summit. When the ridge narrows and slabs are in the way, drop down to the right side and hike along the base of the wall. The trail is faint in places but options are plentiful. Further along, as you're traversing below the cliffs toward the final summit ridge, you'll notice that the cliff band shortens to something which looks climbable. Avoid temptation and continue straight ahead at the cairn - the way up is another 15 minutes away. The terrain is rockier here and soon the trail disappears. Keep close to the base of the cliffs and as it swings left around a corner start heading for the ridge as you see fit. The going is a little steep but quite manageable. On reaching the summit ridge, the path will alternate on either side to bypass the occasional rock fin. For scramblers, this section is likely the most enjoyable part of the lengthy journey. If you had been dropped onto the summit by a helicopter you'd probably gawk at the scenery. Unfortunately, for those who had to walk to the top you've been looking at the same mountains all day long - and don't forget the return trip. If nothing else, Wasootch Tower is a lot more menacing when viewed from the parking lot. Monotony aside, you're in the best vantage point for unobstructed views Porcupine and Wasootch Creeks. Mt. McDougall lies almost directly south. Mountains to the north and east are part of the Fisher Range. Individual peaks are unnamed.
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