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Read’s Ridge and Read’s Tower
Kananaskis, Alberta
October 29, 2011
Distance: 6.4 km (4.0 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 936 m (3071 ft)
Read's Tower is a short trip with decent views, leastways when the surrounding peaks are under snow. Dinah and I had driven past Read's Tower enough times to wonder how it stacks up as a hike.
From the Sparrowhawk parking lot, we easily found the trailhead and started up an obviously popular trail. From this trail, a side trail leads to Read's Ridge; it can't be missed as it's marked by a large cairn and a plethora of blue flagging. The trail climbs steeply to the treeless crest of Read's Ridge. The top of Read's Ridge, though, barely registers as a bump. The real prize, of course, is Read's Tower, 300 m higher.
The broad expanse of the rocky ascent slope offers little in the way of changing scenery, so our climb seemed slow, but we eventually reached the summit, carefully keeping clear of the snow cornice which hid a precipitous drop. The wind and the cold dissuaded us from staying long, however, and we soon started back down.
Perhaps we'll return to Read's Tower on a warm day in summer and enjoy a leisurely stay on the summit. But I doubt it.
On the trail, Read's Ridge and Read's Tower above
Looking back after exiting the trees
Hiking up a barren ridge section
Spray Lakes stretches out behind us
Following Read's Ridge to Read's Tower
On the left is Mount Sparrowhawk.
Heading to the summit of Read's Ridge
Looking back along the ridge
Almost at the top of Read's Ridge
The summit of Read's Ridge, such as it is
Dinah starts up Read's Tower (mouse over to zoom in)
Spray Lakes stretches south
Steep grade up the west slope
The slog to the summit
Another view of Spray Lakes
Summit cairn ahead
Summit block of Mount Sparrowhawk
On top of Read's Tower
82 J/14 Spray Lakes Reservoir