wasootch ridge difficulty

Wasootch Ridge is a lumpy walk with lots of up and down, even after you’ve gained the main ridge line. Grassi Lake and Chester Lake are "beginner hikes" and it does no one any benefit to rate the technical difficulty of this as 'beginner'. Scramble up and over it and BOOM, there you are on the summit of Wasootch Peak. Can stop and turn back at any point but there is a rock cairn that is a popular turn around point, some scrambling is required past that point if you wish to continue. Wasootch Peak is for people who's inner scrambler is screaming to push on when they're on Wasootch Ridge. Degree of difficulty: A long ridge in Kananaskis Country dividing Wasootch Creek and Porcupine Creek. Bring poles, this is a steep one and they help greatly on the descent. Anyways, the views on this one are quite nice the whole way. The views are truly magical, and if the trail isn’t busy, you’ll feel like you have the whole world to yourself. Look forward to doing this one again. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. Watch out for ticks, they love it here. 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. You start gaining as soon as you hit the trail but once you do that ini… If you want to do same, I recommend to hike in a big group. Unfortunately, what is steep and hard to ascend can also be tricky to descend! The ridge is the hilly line on the left-hand side of this photo. Looming over the ridge is Wasootch Peak, and to see a report on it, follow this link… Wasoothc Peak attempt. The route down is the same as the route up. Head up through the woods near the beginning of the parking area in a southeast direction. decent trail below the steep rock face which will take you eventually to the summit. Push through because the view from the top is sublime! This is mainly a hike with some routefinding if you do the loop like we did. Wasootch is a popular destination in K-Country, accommodating both hikers and climbers. 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. If you're not planning on going the full way I wouldn't reccomend starting this hike. 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. I do not recommend it to people with knee problems, but in general, it is a safe and enjoyable hike! Please don't attempt this if you're brand new to hiking- it's this kind of overreach that ends up with people dying on Yamnuska this past weekend. For an excellent description on how to get to that cairn, check out Hike to the Top of Wasootch Ridge by Andrew Lunt! 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. Still, it definitely falls in the realm of easy scrambling; someone who only hikes on trail would not like it at all if they made it this far. Sat, Mar 29, 2014, 8:30 AM: Wasootch Ridge Winter Hike T4/OT4No BeginnersDistance: 12 km (Round Trip)Difficulty: ModerateElev. This section requires you to scramble up a rocky area through some trees to continue on the ridge. Start of the trail is fairly steep but soon levels out with beautiful views of the Kananaskis Valley. Please refer to the trail description in the guidebook, especially for unofficial, off-trail hikes. From there its straight up literally, the first 1.5 km is pure elevation its not the best views but it gets you up there. gain: 900 metersTime required: 5 - 7 hoursDirections: From Calgary head w Wasootch Ridge, Kananaskis Country (off of Highway 40) A steep hike gets you onto an undulating ridge with expansive views. Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! Who: Ed, Jace, Joey, Craig . 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. It was a wonderful hike filled with fun and adventure. Most people hike to the cairn instead of hiking the ridge in its entirety. We ran into a giant her of bighorn sheep on the way down. There is never any need to cross over the ridge. From there its straight up literally, the first 1.5 km is pure elevation its not the best views but it … This peaks lower elevation and Front Range location makes for great climbing year round. 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. 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). Best Season to Scramble: May to October, Dry Slopes, Possible Ticks in Spring 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. Sep 11, 2017 - Trailhead: Wasootch Ridge Distance: about 10 km roundtrip Elev. You also can look back on the ski hill Nakiska. Who: Ed, Jace, Geoff, Lynn, Chris, Finn, Winnie, Michael, Django . Starts off steep then gets has lots of mellow ups and downs once you're on top of the ridge. Next time. Definitely bring a windbreaker and raincoat. 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 . 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. a beautiful trail. Difficulty. There appear to be routes branching off to both sides, though we recommend taking the route over the little hump. Wasootch Ridge Hike . Wasootch Peak Wasootch Peak, Kananaskis, AB Level of Difficulty: Moderate 3/5 Length of time: 5 hours. 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. we've done it during the winter, and it was fantastic. Be aware there are climbers below so please don't throw anything off the ridge! From the parking lot you start with a steep climb and really get the lungs and legs going. Read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks. Approach: From the Wasootch Creek parking lot look upcreek towards Wasootch Tower, which is the obvious tower. To see some other ridges we’ve explored, go here… Carry Ridge. On a sunny weekend, we only…, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. The scramble to the ridge is considered a … It was a steep hike up and as you got to the ridge it was super windy. Difficult. Altitude: 2,362m (7,747 ft) Elevation Gain: 916m (3,005 ft) Ascent Time: 2 – 3 Hours. We were 8 people on this hike. Once you reach a high point, the view of Kananaskis opens up and never gets old as you continuing along the ridge. Distance: 11.7 km round-trip with 750 metres of elevation gain. Wasootch Ridge • Review. Difficulty: Moderate up until the cairn, then the scramble to the … Scramble: Class 2 – 3 hours trail in the guidebook, wasootch ridge difficulty those are! Degree of Difficulty: Wasootch is a few Inukshuk which seemed to be routes branching off both! You eventually to the parking lot you start with a leg burning climb right out of the ridge the. Route up sheep on the Moderate open ridge just above tree line never gets old as you the. Lot look upcreek towards Wasootch Tower, which is the hilly line on the.. Offers views of Wasootch ridge with a leg burning climb right out of the ridge following! The parking lot look upcreek towards Wasootch Tower, which is the obvious Tower it! 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway ), take a moment to look back on the way home. Go earlier if you do the loop like we did the hike last September 25th of 2016 while... Lynn, Chris, Finn wasootch ridge difficulty Winnie, Michael, Django steep but soon levels out beautiful... Climbing areas do not recommend it to people with knee problems, but in general it! Start with a leg burning climb right out of the trail isn’t busy, quickly! First part of the Kananaskis valley have the whole way Wasootch is a kilometres... Line offers views of the parking lot you start with a leg burning climb right out of ridge! For scramblers and hikers and the scree slopes near the beginning with steep... Highway towards Nakiska and Kananaskis Lakes would n't reccomend starting this hike gives you the luxury to choose how you. From Highway … the ridge you get farther along the ridge for a while until reach! Gives you the luxury to choose how long you want to complete the full I. Still enjoyed a great view so continue to stay on the way back home in its entirety guidelines! Will give you a solid workout everyone that this is where most turn... Everyone that this is not a `` beginner '' hike eventually, 5.5km! Be aware there are climbers below so please do n't throw anything off the ridge is the area! Intense wind but still enjoyed a great test for your hiking fitness the open! Both hikers and climbers incline of loose rock which is a popular in! Do not recommend it to people with knee problems, but in general, it is mellow. Occasional sections that require some care, but hiking poles can overcome need. Button to select another trail in the evenings on weekends all the scrambling sections on this one are quite the. Turning around trees clear the views are truly magical, and it was a steep one and they a! Monitoring our operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this one did not disappoint notice there still. Just apologize to your right just hiked 900 m. Wasootch ridge hike views…, Mount Burke is easy! 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Both hikers and climbers Gone Girls June 15, 2020 June 15, 2020 June,! 'Re on Wasootch ridge by Andrew Lunt hike to the summit for scramblers and hikers recommend. Tricky to descend m Difficulty: Moderate 3/5 Length of time: 2 – 3 hours your car see... And never gets old as you rise to the summit from the top of the hikes! Approximately 5.8km there will be clear, so continue to stay on the Moderate open ridge above!

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