Mount Hoffman, Sheep River, Kananaskis - June 2, 2025

While talking to Sam and Marisol in the kitchen last night I asked Sol what she was up to today. She didn't have many plans and Sam immediately suggested her and I do a hike. I though this was an awesome idea - I am currently carless on weekdays, I always enjoy hanging out with Sol, and I am not one to turn down a hike! After a bit of thinking we decided to do Mount Hoffman, one of our family faves. Sol hadn't been down Sheep River Valley before, the payout to effort ratio is very high, and the forecast looked favourable.

We hit the road this morning around 7:45 and got to the trailhead about an hour later.  With only one other car in the parking lot we knew it would be a quiet hike (other than our chatter back and forth 😊).  I haven't been to Hoffman in a couple of years so was surprised to see all the work that had been done on the trail.  After turning off Sheep River Trail to the Mount Hoffman approach the trail has been completely refurbished.  Instead of a single track cutting directly uphill in places it is a 5-6 foot wide trail with switchbacks at the appropriate spots.  This is good news for several reasons. The switchbacks prevent erosion and braiding of the trail which is a big problem for poorly designed or built trails.  The trail is now also much more accessible, meaning more people will be able to enjoy the beauty of the summit views.

We were quite surprised at the low snow line from last night's rain.  We noticed how white the mountains in the distance were as we were driving to the trailhead, but never thought the snow would reach the lower elevations.  As we approached the summit the snow was 4-5 inches in spots.  We passed a lady who was on her way down just before the summit.  She joked with us that her original intent for the day was to get out and see some wildflowers, but the snow had other plans.  She said that on the upside everything looked stunning between the snow and the early morning sunlight.

First Signs Of Snow

More Snow

As always the summit did not disappoint.  We had spectacular views of Shunga-La-She, Mount Gibraltar, Mount Burns East, and even Mist Mountain in the distance.  We enjoyed the views for about 15 minutes, had a little rest and nourishment/hydration, and started our descent back to the trailhead.

Summit Shot - Happy Hiker

Shunga-La-She (Left), Mount Gibraltar (Center), Mount Burns East (Right)

The way down flew by with more conversations around school, travel (dream trips), religion, politics, Mother Nature, and a bunch of other things.  It was all very enjoyable, and I was so happy to have gotten an unexpected hike in with a new hiking buddy!

Mount Glasgow North, Elbow, Kananaskis - May 31, 2025

Sam is back home after his first year in university. He is working for the City of Canmore this summer, Monday to Friday, and so will have limited chances to get out for hikes. He has surpassed me in abilities and willingness to scramble, so I was very thankful (and a little nervous) when he asked me to join him to do Mount Glasgow North this weekend. Mandy and I had made it to the second false summit back in 2020 before turning around (see here), and Sammy had made it to the third before turning around for a time constraint, so would third time be a charm?

We made it to the trailhead at the Little Elbow parking lot by 7:00 and got on our way. One of the advantages of living so close to where we love to hike is that we are able to get away before everybody else even arrives!  Today was no exception.  We did see another pair getting ready for what looked to be a trail run so we were pretty sure they would be staying low, while we were going high.  The approach part of the trail is very nice in that the first 3.5 km of the hike is on mostly flat ground following the Little Elbow River.  This is nice because you have a little time to warm up instead of heading straight up the moment you leave your car.  The challenging part of this approach is that because the trail is so close to the river it has become very braided and you can often find yourself a little off-trail.  No mind, with the river on our right and technology in our pockets we made our way to the start of the climb, and were gently warmed up for what lay ahead.

Sam And The First Few Steps

Crossing The Little Elbow River

Little Elbow From The Footbridge And Our Destination On The Very Right

The ascent starts on a very steep gulley that takes you to a well defined path that we would stay on all of the way to the treeline.  The trail through the trees is quite steep and a significant portion of the elevation is covered by the time you get out.  At this point the trail starts to play mind games with you due to the number of false summits.  The true summit is never really in sight until the final push at which point you start to doubt if the hike will ever end.  Sam and I took a short break on the last false summit to catch our breaths and for some quick water.

Break Time

The last little bit had some scrambly parts for which I was thankful Sam was there to keep me calm and coach me through.  Shortly after 10:00 we made the summit.  It was a great feeling for me to have done a new hike with my son, and I think we were both feeling pretty satisfied.  The views were spectacular and we spent a few moments taking it in, checking the summit register, and grabbing a few photos.  

Summit Shot #1

Summit Shot #2 - Checking The Summit Register

Summit Shot #3

The wind had picked up a bit so we found some shelter just below the summit for some snacks and more water.

Elbow Valley From Our Shelter Spot - Note False Summits Below Us

The sun was shining down on us at this point, and to our surprise we noticed one hiker making his final push to the summit, so we decided it was time to start our descent.  We actually passed about six groups (one to three people per group, plus one dog) on the way down which really surprised us.  On the way up we commented that we were probably not going to see anybody all day.  We were very wrong.  I was both happy to see so many people enjoying the day and this beautiful hike, and to see them all on our way down. 😁 

Approaching One Of The False Summits On The Descent

JM Descending Through A Rockband

With the sun beating down on us all the way down we made a small detour once we were back in proximity to Little Elbow River to splash water on our faces and refill our water bottle.  Refreshed and rejuvenated we made short work of the last few kilometers back to the trailhead.

As always when hiking with Mandy and the boys, I really enjoy the discussions that occur.  Sam and I covered a wide range of topics today including mountaineering, politics, engineering, plant operation, lawn care, and several others!  It was a great hike, with a great hiking partner, and I felt very lucky to be alive and living such a beautiful life. 💜

Raspberry Ridge, Cataract/Upper Oldman, Kananaskis - May 18, 2025

After many months of conflicting schedules we finally got the Mountain Men group (me, Nik, Colin) back together. As an added bonus, Sam who is back from first year university, was able to join us. With a moderate amount of snow still at the upper elevations we thought Raspberry Ridge would be a safe bet. We brought our Micro Spikes in case, but did not end up needing them.

Sam and I met Nik and Colin at 7:00 in Black Diamond, and we carpooled from there.  It was overcast but wasn't calling for rain until the afternoon, so we should have been OK with such an early start.  Nik and Colin had never been down the Highway 541 access to Kananaskis at Longview so I was excited for them - it is one of my favourite drives, and definitely my favourite access into Kananaskis.  We had a great time catching up on what we have all been up to since the last time we were able to get together, and there were lots of questions for Sam to answer also.

We were first to the trailhead, but one car pulled in just as we were heading out.  We would only see about three other groups all day.  I was already getting excited for the final moment before getting to the top.  While there are phenomenal views to the East all the way up, Raspberry Ridge has one of the most dramatic reveals as you take your last few steps to the ridge and you get to see what was hiding on the other side.

Pleasant Ascent View

Nik A Few Steps From The Ridge

Wouldn't you know it though, about two minutes before we summited the rain/snow clouds rolled in and all that was revealed was a white fog that allowed a visibility of about fifty meters.  I was so bummed for Nik and Colin (Sam and I had been able to experience the ridge several times before), but it didn't seem to bother them.  They were extremely happy with the firs half of the hike, and what we were able to see then.  That is exactly the right attitude - way to go Nik and Colin!

Snowy Snack Time With The Spectacular View West 😂

Summit Selfie

After a quick snack and water break at the top, we decided to take the loop route back down and were back at the trailhead in the blink of an eye.

Heading Back To The Trailhead

We stopped at the gas station in Longview for our traditional drink and snack, and before we knew it the day was over.  It was great to see Nik and Colin, and I think Sam had a great time hearing us complain about work, and asking us about the plant and being engineers.  We are hoping to reconvene the group before the end of the summer when Sam will be heading back to School.  Mount Burke will be our goal, which will give us a chance to get back down Highway 541, and hopefully reveal some of the amazing views than Nik and Colin missed this time.

November 4, 2024 - Jumpingpound Mountain, Kananaskis

With limited time before the winter gates start closing, and with not too many chores to do at home, I thought today would be a good day to get out for a hike. Lucky for me our good hiking buddy, Audrey, was willing and able to join me. Surprisingly some of the local tops have not too much snow on them so I suggested Moose or Jumpingpound. Having not done Jumpingpound before, Audrey chose Jumpingpound. She arrived at the house around 8:00 a.m. and we were on our way.

I knew it was going to be a great outing when we spotted a moose in a meadow on the way to the trailhead.  We stopped to watch him for a bit and then continued on.

Moose In The Meadow

As I always hope for, we were the first to arrive and wasted little time getting on the trail!  It was a crisp morning, so mitts and toques were in order.  Though we were sheltered from the wind by the trees, we were anticipating a blustery summit, and we were not wrong.  Despite that, we really enjoyed the clear views - from prairies, to foothills, to rocky mountains.  Amanda and I have discussed it several times, and agree this hike is definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in Kananaskis.  The views you get for the effort you have to put out are unrivalled.  It is a favourite of ours to bring out-of-town visitors and rookie hikers.

Audrey Taking A Picture Of JM

JM Taking A Picture Of Audrey 😆

Moose Mountain In The Distance

Summit Selfie

Starting to feel a little wind-blown, we agreed to start the descent.  Back in the trees things calmed down and we enjoyed the rest of our hike back to the car.  On the drive home we stopped at the memorial for the military trainees who crashed nearby in 1941.  The inscription reads as follows:

IN MEMORIAM
WORLD WAR II
AIRCREW

ON AUGUST 14, 1941 AN AVRO ANSON TRAINING
AIRCRAFT FROM No. 3 SERVICE FLYING
TRAINING SCHOOL CALGARY CRASHED ON
MOUNT McDOUGALL, ABOUT 10 KM WESS OF
THIS SITE. THE LIVES OF FLYING OFFICER
I.M. SUTHERLAND-BROWN AND LEADING
AIRCRAFTSMAN F.W. GREENFIELD WERE LOST.
LEADING AIRCRAFTSMAN A.M.R. McGRUTHER
WAS INJURED BUT SURVIVED THE ACCIDENT.

MANY LIVES WERE LOST DURING THE PERIOD
OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING
PLAN 1939 TO 1945 AS AIRCREW WERE BEING
TRAINED IN CANADA FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE.
TO THEIR FOND MEMORY THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED.

THE DEDICATION CEREMONY WAS HELD NOVEMBER 10, 1989
THIS PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED BY
SQUADRON LEADER A.M.R. (SANDY) McGRUTHER

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING PLAN PARTICIPANTS
ROYAL AIR FORCE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE
CIVILIAN INSTRUCTORS

KANANASKIS
COUNTRY

It was very nice to see the poppies and wreath that had recently been placed on the monument.

I was very glad to get out for this beautiful hike today.  We noticed a road sign on the way in indicating that the winter gate would be closed on November 11, so we got one last hike in for this area just in the nick of time!

October 18, 2024 - Mount Burke, Cataract, Kananaskis

In a fortunate turn of events, Ben ended up coming home for fall reading week at the last minute.  He arrived on Monday, I got home from work Thursday night, and Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. we were on the road headed for Mount Burke.  I had done Mount Burke a few times already, and have never been disappointed.  Ben had not done it yet, so I was happy to accompany him up for his first time up.

The morning was very crisp and frosty, and the light was perfect.  We were the first in the parking lot and hit the trail right away.  Time seemed to fly by as we discussed many different things on our way up to the summit.  This is one of my favourite parts of hiking - the opportunity to really connect with family and friends, and solve some of the world's problems.  I truly enjoy spending time with the boys, listening to them sharing their thoughts about anything and everything.  Though their life experiences are just beginning, their ideas and perspectives are incredibly interesting and mature. 💗

Morning Light - Our Objective Was The Furthest Summit On The Right Just Peaking Over The Hill In The Foreground

Before I knew it we were on the final approach to the summit.  I have had really good luck on the summit of Mount Burke in the past, but today was not to be one of those days.  The wind was so strong it felt as though it could pick you up and blow you right off the top of the mountain.  We hunkered down in the abandoned fire lookout which provided a tiny bit of relief, but after about five minutes it was time to get back down to where we had some shelter from the wind.

Abandoned Fire Lookout At The Summit

Summit Weather Station

JM Trying Not To Be Blown Off The Side Of The Mountain

Out Of The Wind, On The Descent

The hike down seemed to be just as quick as the hike up, and we were back at the car in no time.  We made our customary stop at the Esso gas station for corn chips and a pop before heading back home.  It was a perfect day (minus the wind), and a truly enjoyable hike, and I felt blessed to be able to share it with Ben.

NOTE: All of the pictures with the exception of the one of Ben on the descent, were taken by Ben. 👍

October 8, 2024 - High Noon Hills/Sandy McNabb Hills Loop, Sheep River Valley, Kananaskis

Not too much to write about on this one. Just three good buddies getting together on a beautiful fall morning to enjoy the last little bit of fall. The views were beautiful, the company was even better, and the lunch in Turner Valley afterwards was a nice treat to end it all!

Two Old Men Out In Front

High Noon Hills View

Summit Shot #1

Beautiful Colours Approaching Summit #2

Three Hiking Buddies!

Sheep River Cut Banks

More Beautiful Leaves - Winter Is Around The Corner...

October 7, 2024 - Three Little Summits Route, Elbow, Kananaskis

It was a Monday morning, the weather looked to be beautiful, the leaves were in full yellow-golden condition, and I was looking for something close that I hadn't done before. After reviewing the maps I landed on Three Little Summits Route. The trailhead is only 15 minutes from the house, just past Prairie Mountain, and looked to be about the right distance/elevation for the time I had available.

I parked in a lot about 1 km from where the trail starts around 7:30 and got on my way.  I quickly realized that this was one of those hikes that shows a trail on the map, but does not exist in reality... 😆  No matter, I was up for a little adventure, my phone with GPS map was fully charged so I would be OK.  Despite being a shorter hike, the lack of path, and the consistent up and down  provided a great workout for my legs and lungs.  On top of that the colours and peekaboo views added to the overall enjoyment.

Elbow River Valley

Beautiful Early Morning Light

Golden-Coloured Trees, Iyarhe Ipan In The Background

My experience when hiking off-trail is that your senses start to sharpen, and your heart races just a little bit further.  Sometimes you come across a sign that others have been here, and it helps settle your nerves - it can be footprints, flagging, litter 😠, or actual people...  I always chalk this up to hiking/backpacking good fortune, and it always makes me smile when it happens.

😊

Summit Shot

Once over the summits the "trail" drops down towards Powderface Creek Trail which is an actual trail, and one that I have done several times in the past.  It was still frosty in the valley, but the morning light was spectacular and I really enjoyed the easy walk back to the car.  With a very satisfying hike completed I got back home mid-morning and was able to take advantage of the rest of the day!

Back On Track

More Beautiful Trees On the Approach To The Parking Lot