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Old Goat Glacier Overlook
Kananaskis, Alberta
August 23, 2025
Distance: 6.7 km (4.2 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 780 m (2559 ft)
During my hike to Old Goat Glacier two weeks prior, I was captivated by the subpeaks to the north. I was unsure about scaling the steep, little peaks, but I was certain I could reach the saddle by one that overlooked the glacier. I planned to hike up Old Goat Glacier trail a short distance before bushwhacking to the lower cirque. Then proceed to the upper cirque and slog up a long scree gully to the saddle.
A few days after talking to Doug Robson about it, he texted me one morning when he suddenly learned he was free that day. We arrived at the trailhead at noon. After hiking a few hundred metres up the trail, we started bushwhacking up the slope.
Initially, we encountered little underbrush, but as we ascended, we found ourselves wading through tall shrubs. We made our way to the lip of the lower cirque, and still in trees, dropped down 40 m to the little, grassy cirque. An inviting corridor flanked by two subpeaks led to the upper cirque. After reaching the upper cirque, we started up the scree gully.
We crossed talus and a snow patch before reaching a dark runnel that provided stable rocks. Near the top, we faced dark scree that had hardened like concrete on a steep slope. To avoid slipping, we sought little depressions and runnels.
As I expected, we had a fine view of Old Goat Glacier from the saddle. Ahead were two knolls that appeared accessible by goat tracks. We followed a sketchy track to the first knoll but didn’t attempt the second as the goat track there looked dubious.
We returned to the saddle and headed down to the upper cirque. Rather than drop to the lower cirque only to climb back up, we gave the cirque a wide berth. This proved to be folly. After bushwhacking through extensive brush, we reached a forest where deadfall forced us to climb well up the slope before we could descend. Then we got lucky. We came to a ridge less bushy than our ascent route, and aided by faint animal trails, returned directly back. Just before reaching the parking lot, we inadvertently hit a wildlife corridor that is off-limits and skirted around it. Afterwards, we talked about returning.
The saddle overlook seen from Old Goat Glacier (mouse over to zoom back)
We hiked to the cirque in the centre and then to a saddle hidden on the left
Doug prepares to go up the trail
After leaving the trail, we started up a slope covered in deep moss
Well up the slope, we encountered lots of bushes
A break in the trees allowed a view of the north subpeak
We dropped down to the lower cirque. The south subpeak towers above it.
View from the lower cirque
We headed to the upper cirque
Doug is barely visible at the bottom, left of centre
Looking down at the lower cirque
We reached the edge of the upper cirque. Behind is the north subpeak.
We headed to the saddle/overlook
We crossed a patch of ice and snow
We hiked up a dark runnel that held stable rock
The compacted black scree below the saddle offered little purchase
Looking across the upper cirque at the north subpeak
Looking down at Old Goat Glacier (mouse over for a close-up). We reached the first knoll ahead.
Mount Sparrowhawk (left) and Mount Bogart (centre)
Starting down to the knoll
Looking back from the goat track
We followed the upper track to the knoll
Doug stands on the rocky knoll
I joined him on top
Looking at Spray Lake from the knoll
Back at the saddle, Doug (centre) climbed partway to look for a route up the south subpeak
Doug's view of the saddle
Descending from the saddle, we stepped in runnels as the compact scree was too steep and slick
Back at the upper cirque and in the big shadow of the south subpeak, we headed left to avoid dropping down to the lower cirque
We encountered prolonged bushwhacking
Looking up at avalanches slopes below the north subpeak
More bushwhacking
Our descent down a ridge was easier than our ascent. Spray Lakes is seen through the trees.
82 J/14 Spray Lakes Reservoir