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Mount Glasgow
Kananaskis, Alberta
September 11, 2004
Distance: 18.1 km (11.2 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1594 m (5260 ft)
I haven't tried the Scrambles guidebook approach Mount Glasgow, but the east ridge probably offers a more interesting trip: it's largely a ridgewalk rather than a scree slog, and it avoids a long bike approach.
From the Little Elbow
Recreation Area, Dale, Bruce, Dinah and I crossed the suspension bridge and took a sharp right
onto a side trail that leads to the river. Ten minutes later, we left the
riverside trail at a right angle and set off to find a cutline. After
hiking about 100 m or so, we came across a trail that follows the cutline.
The cutline trail eventually ends above a valley meadow. Picking up on
another trail, we headed down to the meadow; which placed us at the foot
of an outlier (484250) marking the end of the east ridge. We headed up
the wooded slope towards it.
Just below the outlier, we avoided a cliff band, traversed below the top and dropped down to the col at 479247.
A trail on the left took us past a small point. After that, we stayed close
to the ridge, except for a rock prominence that we detoured left around. At this point, a brilliant rainbow came into view and held our attention up and down the summit.
We continued along the ridge until about 70 m below the summit where a buttress
stopped us. We headed left to the open slope and scrambled up some steep,
scree-covered slabs where we could regain the ridge. This section upped
the trip to a difficult rating.
On the return, we saved time by going down a scree gully at the col before
the outlier and followed Glasgow Creek back to the cutline.
The route seen from the suspension bridge
Taking a break in a meadow
We left the treeline far below
Dinah reaches a ledge
Taking a break
Ascending the end of the east ridge. Mount Glasgow on the right.
The slope begins to level off
Looking back
The slope changes to scree
We traversed below the outlier
Above the col: the ridge to the summit can now be seen
We continued along the ridge
We passed an unusual rocky point
Looking back along the ridge
Crossing rock slabs
Interesting rock formations along the ridge
The ridgewalk ends and we'll soon start scrambling
We'll leave ridge below the summit and scramble up the slope on the left
Impressive rainbow appeared over an unnamed peak
The rainbow lasted for hours
Nihahi Ridge in the background
We left the ridge at this overhanging buttress and scrambled up the slope
Looking back from the summit as Dale, now above the crux, comes to join Dinah and me
Dale and Dinah on the summit
Coming down the open slope from the summit. Above us is the crux.
Back at the buttress. Notice the Indian's profile in rock.
On the ridge with the
outlier behind me. Forgetmenot Ridge in the background.
Heading back along the ridge
Looking back at the summit
82 J/15 Bragg Creek
