Sugarloaf Lookout

The view west. Tornado Mountain in the centre.

Sugarloaf Lookout
Oldman River Area, Alberta
October 13, 2007
Distance: 8.0 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 700 m

We had planned to climb Livingstone Lookout (Thrift Peak), but after assessing the long approach and the Oldman River fording, we changed our plans to Sugarloaf Lookout. This lookout is higher than Livingstone Lookout and would provide a close look at some snow-covered peaks to the west including Tornado Mountain.

We lost a great deal of time searching for the trail. We drove up a few back roads before finding the one leading to Sugarloaf Lookout. The trailhead starts at the main road, but Sonny was able to drive his SUV up the rough road a couple kilometres, making up for our late start. It also lobbed off 300 m elevation gain than if we had walked the length of the road.

We only hiked a short distance in the trees before they fell away to provide a view of the mostly bare southeast slopes of the mountain. Clearly we could ascend almost anywhere, so we decided to leave the road and head up a ridge leading to the lookout.

It was a sunny day, and the slope was free of snow until we gained the crest and headed to the lookout. After spending half an hour gazing at the nearby peaks at the top, we mostly followed the road back to the car.

KML and GPX Tracks
Sonny's Trip Report

Hiking up the road