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Saskatoon Mountain
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
February 7, 2009
Distance: 7.7 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 570 m
The idea of climbing Saskatoon Mountain came from trailpeak.com. Following the route description, Dinah and I parked at the municipal park beside the main road in Coleman. Not sure what to expect, we brought our snowshoes, but it was soon evident we didn't need them, and we ditched them early in the trip.
We hiked up Miner's Path alongside Nez Perce Creek until we reached a frozen waterfall. The creek follows a canyon so at the icefall, we climbed out of the canyon and hiked on a trail above it.
When we reached an opening in the trees where we could see the base of the mountain, we switched to another path that led up the slope. Soon we were looking down on Coleman while hiking north on an open ridge. Further on, the ridge morphed into a broad, treed plateau. Eventually the trees gave way to a semi-open summit.
We didn't stay long on top, not with the wind gusting up to 70 kph. But the skies were fairly clear providing us with good views of Crowsnest Mountain and The Seven Sisters.
Nez Perce Creek
Icefall
Heading to the base of the mountain
We had no trouble finding trails
Heading to an outcrop
Chinook Peak and Sentry Mountain in the background
We reached the top of the outcrop
Mt. Coulthard, Mt. McLaren, Andy Good Peak, Mt. Parrish and Chinook Peak
We followed the ridge
A long stretch of postholing lies ahead. The summit is on the right, hidden from view.
Looking back along the ridge
We followed a trail in the trees
Looking back as we crossed an open slope
Leaning pine tree
Mount Tecumseh lies west
Dinah heads to the open summit. A higher, unnamed peak is on the left.
Looking back before reaching the summit
Dinah on the summit
Seven Sisters
Turtle Mountain and Hillcrest Mountain
Grassy Mountain and Livingstone Ridge
Heading back
82 G/10 Crowsnest, 82 G/9 Blairmore