Wasootch Ridge

After having successfully climbed up Wasootch Peak on the weekend, I was eager to tackle another summit. The weather had been good all day but after work, while I was driving to Kananaskis, it started to rain. I revised my plan for the evening and stayed at lower elevation and hiked on Wasootch Ridge. This ridge is almost 8KM long so I knew that going all the way was not possible on this day as I had waited out a rain episode for half an hour near the trailhead. It was really fun to see though. Rain on my left, and blue sky on my right.

I hit the trail as soon as the rain stopped. It was very steep right off the parking lot and I ran as much as I could to get most of the steep sections behind me and make up for the lost time. The views from Wasootch Ridge are phenomenal the entire time. Here, looking back I had a perfect view of Mount Lorette and some contrasting spring colors down below.

Nice view of Wasootch Peak with Wasootch Tower to the left.

An optional route takes you all the way to the end of the ridge on its highest point and makes you come down a steep gully and brings you back to the trailhead via the Wasootch Creek rocky bed. It’s a long hike that requires an early start and dry conditions on the way down. I’d love to give it a try later this summer as I love long and big days in the mountains.

Once the initial steep climb behind me, I had a ton of “little” bumps to hike up and down along the way that make up Wasootch Ridge all together.

But rain was chasing me again and it was strong. I kept pushing anyway, knowing it wouldn’t last more than twenty minutes. I took shelter in the trees to put my rain gear on and resumed my hike. The rain made the pine trees smell so good!

Soon enough, the sun was shining. This is looking north towards Barrier Lake which marks the beginning of Kananaskis Country coming from the Trans-Canada Highway.

I admired Porcupine Ridge and the steep gully I had climbed down with Jonathan and Marty a few days earlier.

A few patches of snow were easily traversed.

A rainbow over the south branch of Porcupine Creek.

It was getting late and while I could see the highest point on the ridge but I knew I would run out of time. I stopped on top of the last bump before the snow became more present on the trail. I spent a good half-hour soaking in the amazing 360° panorama and eating my (delicious) peanut butter sandwich.

The highest point on Wasootch Ridge on the left.

Porcupine Ridge in the foreground and Midnight & Midday Peaks in the back.

There were lots of wind-shaped trees on this exposed summit.

A little bit of rain, yet again, made me pack up and hike back. Once again I ran as much as I could along the ridge. This time to avoid being forced to hike down the steep section on a wet trail. It turns out the precipitations never reached me and instead, I enjoyed the nice glowing orange light of the sun setting down.

Prairie Crocus, an early-spring flower all over the south faces of the alpine in the Canadian Rockies.

As I was alone in the parking lot I had decided to cook diner at the back of my truck under the last few sun rays of the day. I had brought a book and was able to read a little while my pasta (what else!!!) were rehydrating. I stayed until the sun disappeared behind the mountains and made my way back home but not before stopping for a few minutes at Barrier Lake, which made me want to take out my packraft very soon to make sure all my packrafting gear was in good shape for the upcoming paddling season.

Enjoying the sunset is the ultimate reward after an evening spent up in the mountains. There’s no better way of finish off an evening adventure. I love it!

Midnight Peak (Attempt)

Wasootch Peak

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