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Livingstone South Peak
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
September 1, 2019
Distance: 12.5 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1022 m
Taking a page out of Hiking the Historic Crowsnest Pass (long since out of print), we climbed the South End of Livingstone Range a second time. More recently, it became known as Livingstone South Peak.
When Dinah and I did it back in 2003, I wasn't meticulous about taking photos or notes, and this was a good time to breathe new life into an old web page. With thunderstorms threatening mountains west, we headed south to find surprisingly pleasant weather. Moreover, the long ridgewalk was more scenic than we remembered.
For the trailhead, drive down Hwy. 3 and turn onto the access road for Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. At the fork (right for the Centre) continue straight on a gravel road for 1.6 km to another fork. Keep left and drive 100 m to park at the bottom of a broad cutline.
Dinah and I, along with six others, hiked up the cutline road. At the bottom of a slope, we continued up the cutline to the saddle. This section turned out to be atrocious. Steep and covered with loose rock and dirt, we often slipped.
From the saddle, we turned north and started up the ridge. Soon we were picking out features. As far as I could determine from the muddled description in the guidebook, the reddish wall of rock on our left was “Dragon's Back.” Ahead, a black fin of rock ran across the ridge to create a barrier, although a big notch presented an obvious gateway. Beyond that, the ridge rose to a gray point of rock, our summit.
After going through the notch, we regained the ridge to find it narrowed. It was slightly exposed, although the traverse is eased by dropping below the crest on the right side. However, two people decided to turn back here.
All was easy after the narrow section, although the ridge loses 90 m of elevation before climbing to the summit. We spent 45 minutes on top enjoying the scenery before heading down. Our descent route differed slightly as we took advantage of features hidden from view on the ascent: a sheep track that bypasses the narrow ridge, and a concealed notch on the black ridge. We also took a road down from the saddle instead of the miserable cutline.
While the others returned to our cars, Jonathan and I took a side trip to view a ventilation fan house, a sober reminder of the mining industry that once dominated Crowsnest Pass a long time ago.
Starting up the road to the saddle ahead
These distinctive wildflowers lined the road
Ahead is a steep hike to the saddle
Looking back from near the saddle. Left is Turtle Mountain.
Starting up the ridge
Our objective (centre) is half hidden in cloud
Dragon's Back is on the left. The black ridge is right.
Looking back at Dragon's Back
Dropping down from a bump after Dragon's Back
Heading to the black ridge
The big notch (right) is an obvious break, but the hidden notch (arrow) isn't apparent from this side
Continuing along the ridge after passing through the big notch
The ridge narrows although it's possible to drop down a bit on the right and follow a faint sheep track
Continuing along the ridge we could see the summit was still obscured
The summit is at last free of clouds
The final climb to the summit
Looking back at the black ridge and Dragon's Back
In the foreground are Tallon and Robertson Peaks
Jonathan waits on the summit
From Dragon's Back, Dinah zoomed in and took this shot of us on the summit
Jonathan, Zora, Goulfia, Alina, Michael and me
Memorial a few feet from the summit cairn
Centre Peak and Cauldron Peak
On our return, we took this trail back instead of following the ridge
We avoided the narrow ridge by following a sheep track below it
The track ends abruptly and we hiked up the slope to the black ridge
Going over the hidden notch instead of through the big notch is much shorter
Heading back to Dragon's Back
Instead of following the cutline from the saddle, we came down the road and found it easier although slightly longer
Jonathan stands next to the ventilation fan house (mouse over to see inside)
82 G/9 Blairmore
