Thunder Mountain from HWY 22. We parked at the end of the ridge on
the right.
Thunder Mountain
Oldman River Area
May 8, 2004
In 1792, Thunder Mountain became the first peak in the Canadian Rockies to be climbed by a non-native. Since then, many others must have followed in his foot steps for there is a trail for much of the way. To get to the mountain, we drove drove down HWY 22 until we crossed the bridge over Oldman River. We took the first right turn after the bridge and followed a gravel road until we reached the north end of the Thunder Mountain. After parking our car we found a trail and headed up it. The trail, however, soon disappeared. We bushwhacked for a ways, mostly heading west, before stumbling on another trail. (Had we continued driving farther and parked around the corner I'm sure we would have found the proper trailhead.) The trail took us to a shoulder were we could see the ridge we had to follow, at least to a false summit. There was little scrambling and a trail took us right to the summit. |
Thunder Mountain from HWY 22. We parked at the end of the ridge on
the right.
After climbing just over 200 m, we came out on the shoulder. The false
peak
is in the
centre.
We pass a boulder on the shoulder.
After leaving the shoulder, the ridge soon becomes narrower.
The long ridge on the ridge leads to Livingstone Lookout (left).
Behind us, to the north, is Livingstone Fire Lookout.
It looks difficult, but you can easily hike around these rock outcroppings.
On the false summit, above the treeline, the way becomes clear. Note the
two
summits.
Looking back at the colorful ridge we traversed.
From here it's an easy walk to the summit.
From the top we noticed a Canada Centennial display (bottom, centre). Mouse over
to zoom in.
On the summit
Heading back
360° view from the top
Maycroft 82G16
