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Mount Lougheed
Kananaskis, Alberta
July 25, 2009
Distance: 13.2 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1438 m
When Dinah and I started climbing Mount Lougheed under clear, blue skies we hadn't expected to find ourselves in a thunderstorm later. We made it to Peak 2, the main summit, and were well down the mountain before the storm struck 20 minutes after summiting. Out of range of lightning strikes, we experienced lightning flashes and thunder in safety.
We took advantage of a easy-moderate scrambling route that started appearing last year on websites. The trail, which parallels Spencer Creek, is well known to us since we've used it as the approach to Little Lougheed.
After 4.5 km the trail ends and a short bushwhack took us to Spencer Creek. We followed the creek until we came to a side drainage on our left. We headed up the grass slope west of it.
From Spencer Creek, the lay of the land prevented us from seeing Mount Lougheed, but after topping out onto a bench, a sweeping scene lay ahead, including the route up the impressive scree cone.
At the top of the scree, we found an obvious way to reach a small ridge on our right. Past that we crossed a bowl to another ridge. This ridge, actually the edge of a scree slope, leads to the summit ridge.
Before reaching the summit, we heard the boom of thunder behind us. We watched in awe as lightning struck nearby mountains. I stood transfixed after seeing one particular lightning bolt just a couple of peaks away. The wind was light but it was steadily bringing the storm our way. We had just enough time to make the summit, take photos and drop down a few hundred metres out of harm's way before the storm arrived.
We had originally planned to continue to Peak 3 and descend from the col between 2 and 3, but our plans were foiled by the thunderstorm. Regardless, we reached the highest peak and enjoyed it all, even the storm.
MOVIE
Mount Lougheed seen from the trail
The trail crosses a side creek
Watch out for frogs
Hiking up Spencer Creek
It's a long hike just to reach the ascent gully
After leaving the creek, we headed to the waterfall but ended up
ascending the slope on our left
From the top of the slope we viewed the vast scree cone we must climb
Starting up the scree
At the top of the scree we'll need to make our way right
Mount Sparrowhawk fills the view south
After passing the white rock in front of me we found a trail on our right
We'll soon find a break on our right
I scrambled up the weakness in the cliff above Dinah, but a notch
(not seen here) on the right is easier
From the notch (behind Dinah) we headed to the bowl
To reach the ridge crest from the bowl, we scrambled up the broad, white rock slab
Looking back after crossing the bowl, we took note of the notch (mouse over) to find our way back
Once on the ridge, it's a scree slog to the summit ridge
Spray Lakes appear as we near the crest
Southwest views include Mount Collembola, Mount Allen, Lougheed 3, and Wind Mountain
Lougheed 1 lies northeast
The summit lies ahead
On the summit
Heading down on the edge of the storm
Starting down after our break
Heading back down the drainage. Little Lougheed on the right.
82 J/14 Spray Lakes Reservoir
