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Mount Chesmill Loop
Kananaskis, Alberta
July 13, 2024
Distance: 11.0 km (6.8 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1094 m (3589 ft)
There are a few ways to climb Mount Chesmill, but we were attracted to the original route by So Nakagawa. He ascended a subpeak, crossed a saddle to climb Mount Chesmill and then descended a gully from the saddle. However, he snowshoed it in winter conditions; we weren't sure what to expect in the summer. Zora, Christine, Tomiji, Jonathan and I would have fun and travails finding out.
From the Sawmill day-use area, we started down James Walker Creek logging road. After hiking nearly three kilometres, we spotted flagging in the trees below. We followed the flagging through a dense forest to James Walker Creek.
After crossing the formidable, rushing water, we started up the other side, sans flagging. A short but challenging bushwhack led to a beautiful clearing. Wildflowers of every kind and colour blanketed a meadow that extended for hundreds of metres. The extra-steep slope slowed us as did the frequent stops to take photos. Never before have I seen such an extensive array of wildflowers in Kananaskis.
For a long time, trees on our left prevented us from gaining the ridge crest. When we finally reached the open ridge, we had a far-reaching view of countless peaks. Yet the summit of the subpeak was still far away.
After reaching the top, we dropped 50 m down to the saddle at the base of Chesmill. A long plod to the summit remained, over 300 m up a relentless grade.
After taking a requisite break on top, we started down, taking advantage of short stretches of scree. Back at the saddle, we looked down the descent gully. Perhaps late in the season, it would make a fine descent, but now water coursed down it. More ominous were the snow bridges near the bottom.
Having to choose between the grass on the left or the soft dirt on the right, we chose the right side of the gully. At first, this worked well, but as we descended, the slope angle increased, and it became difficult to stick to the steepening side. Near the end of the gully, Christine lost her footing and slid down several metres, stopping just short of a snow bridge.
After exiting the gully, we faced crossing the creek again. Fortunately it was easier this time. On the other side, we caught a trail that led back to the logging road, back to our car.
From Sawmills trailhead, we could view the subpeak and the saddle (mouse over for a close-up)
We caught glimpses of the subpeak as we hiked up the trail
Mount Chesmill came into view
From the road, we followed flagging down to James Walker Creek
We went upstream a bit before crossing the creek
Crossing the icy creek
After crossing, we found narrow passages through the
dense forest
After emerging from the trees, we waded through forgetmenot wildflowers
Chesmill appears above Tomiji
In the background are Kent North and the West Outlier
The ridge crest is still a long way off
We took a break in the shade of a solitary pine just below the crest
A lone bighorn sheep appeared below Chesmill (mouse over)
Looking back along the ridge
High on the ridge, we found silky scorpion weeds
The summit of the subpeak was still far off
This is a long ridge!
Panorama from the top of the subpeak
On the left, The Fortress overlooks Headwall Lakes (mouse over)
We dropped down to the saddle at the base of Chesmill
We walked a short way down the snow cornice
Continuing down to the saddle
Going up from the saddle
The false summit is far above
Looking back at the subpeak
Seen from an outthrust, Jonathan is barely visible on the summit
The outthrust sits 30 m below the summit
Zora, Christine, Jonathan, Tomiji and me on the summit
Mount Assiniboine rises behind Mount Smuts and The Fist
Mount Joffre is covered in snow
Starting back down
Approaching the gully
Tomiji stands next to the cornice at the saddle
We came down the right side of the gully
Eventually we could see all the way down to the creek we had to cross
The slope became steeper near the bottom
The return creek crossing was easier
Looking back after crossing the creek
82 J/14 Spray Lakes Reservoir