Mount McLaren

BOU AVENUE
Mount McLaren

Wrapping up our three-week summer road trip, Zosia Zgolak and I traversed Mount McLaren in Alberta's Castle Wildland Provincial Park on 27 August 2022. We drew our inspiration from Bob Spirko's 2002 trip report, but because we had concerns about rain in the weather forecast, we decided to do his loop in reverse (counterclockwise). This way, we hoped to tag the summit earlier in the day before the arrival of rain. We also used a different and slightly closer starting point at the expense of my car's suspension.

From 15 Avenue on the south side of the railroad tracks in Coleman, turn south onto 83 Street. Drive over a bridge and turn west onto 13 Avenue. After going straight through the intersection with 82 Street (the pavement turns to 2WD gravel after 130 metres), drive 2.0 kilometres to reach an information kiosk at York Creek Staging Area. Continue driving straight on the deteriorating main road (high clearance vehicle strongly recommended) for another 2.4 kilometres to reach the junction with the North York Creek road (trail intersection marker 111) just before a bridge (this was Spirko's starting point). Cross the bridge and drive up several switchbacks for 1.2 kilometres to a junction with a rougher road going straight (right). From here, it is another 1.9 kilometres on the rougher road to the last junction where street legal vehicles are permitted to drive (trail intersection marker 109). This rougher road has a lot of muddy sections and is not recommended for driving in wet conditions.

Starting on foot from trail intersection marker 109, Zosia and I followed the right-hand road which crosses York Creek and climbs over a low rise before making a straight and gradual descent to a junction with the North York Creek road just past a bridge (trail intersection marker 108). On this day, all the roads in this area were very muddy due to overnight rains, and we had a lot of trouble with slippery footing especially on steeper sections. After turning west onto North York Creek road, we hiked for about a kilometre before abandoning it to ascend a partially bushy avalanche slope (a distinct trail heading uphill about 120 metres before the avalanche slope should be ignored because it does not go anywhere). We grinded up the avalanche slope and then veered to climber's right to avoid some cliffs. The remaining climb to the crest of the north ridge was steep but uncomplicated. The final ascent up the north ridge to the summit was also easy.

After tagging the summit, Zosia and I made our way down the south ridge aiming for the col separating Mount McLaren from Mount Parrish. This was a bit more complex than expected as there are a few undulations in the ridge and also a bit of bush to navigate through. From the col, we dropped into the bowl to the south taking advantage of loose scree wherever we could. The predicted rain also began to fall at this point. Quite a few off-highway vehicles (OHV) were gathered at the bottom of the bowl when we regained the North York Creek road there. In spite of the steadily falling rain, we made the extra effort to check out the historic plane crash site at the end of the road. As described on a sign board at the crash site, a Royal Canadian Air Force DC-3 (Dakota) aircraft flying from Comox, British Columbia to Greenwood, Nova Scotia on 19 January 1946 struck Mount Ptolemy before plunging into the upper North York Creek valley killing all seven airmen on board. The crash site was teeming with OHV enthusiasts on this day, and although we stopped to take a break with the rain tapering off, it was hard to find any serenity here.

For our return trip, Zosia and I hiked out along North York Creek road to intersection marker 108 before taking our original approach road back to our starting point. The only issues we had were the aforementioned muddy conditions and having to wait at times for scores of OHVs to pass by us. The subsequent drive out was not without one or two anxious moments, but ultimately, we made it back to pavement in Coleman none the worse for wear.

The left-hand road goes to Willoughby Ridge (Ironstone Lookout).
Zosia begins hiking at intersection marker 109. This is as far as street legal motorized vehicles (eg. cars or trucks) are allowed to drive. The right-hand road is the correct approach for Mount McLaren.

Lots of muddy sections on this road!
Mount Parrish and Mount McLaren are visible in the background as Zosia gradually descends the approach road.

I wonder who put up this sign which doesn't look like the usual ones from Alberta Parks. The North York Creek road eventually leads to a historic plane crash site at the head of the valley.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

At least we'll get off this muddy road soon!
The east face of Mount McLaren looms ahead. Zosia would eventually climb up the slopes at far right.

Start grunting! Zosia leaves the road to ascend a partially bushy avalanche slope.

I was too eager to keep climbing to eat much.
Ripe raspberries are in abundance on the avalanche slope.

Steep and loose here!
Zosia veers to climber's right aiming for some conspicuous pinnacles.

At least we're past all route-finding difficulties here.
Zosia grinds up the east face of Mount McLaren. The approach road she descended earlier can be seen in the background at far right.

The most enjoyable part of the trip right here!
Sonny gains the north ridge of Mount McLaren. The top of Crowsnest Mountain is hidden in clouds at distant far left.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Luckily, the top of Mount McLaren is not covered...yet!
Clouds shroud the top of Mount Coulthard (far left) as Zosia makes her way to the top of Mount McLaren.

Surprisingly, there's no summit register or pink ammo box here!
Sonny takes the last few steps before the summit cairn.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Last summit of our summer road trip!
Sonny and Zosia stand on the summit of Mount McLaren (2316 metres).

Ostracized Peak at far left is on my radar for a potential future trip.
Sentry Mountain and Crowsnest Lake are visible to the northwest.

Do you think it will rain?
Zosia descends the south ridge of Mount McLaren with Andy Good Peak (centre) and Mount Parrish (right) in the background.

Not as straightforward as I had expected to get to this spot!

Zosia reaches the col between Mount McLaren and Mount Parrish. At left is Mount Coulthard.

	Sonny drops down into the bowl below the col. The plane crash site is somewhere in the trees near the snow patch at far right. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Some all-terrain vehicles (ATV) pass Zosia on the way to the plane crash site.
	This is the tail section of a Royal Canadian Air Force DC-3 (Dakota) aircraft that crashed here on 19 January 1946 killing all seven airmen that were on board.
	A lot of plane wreckage including this wing can be found below this beautiful cascade.
	Zosia hikes back along the North York Creek road below the slopes of Mount McLaren.
	Parts of the road are treacherously slippery on this rainy day. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Back on the approach road, Sonny waits for a utility task vehicle (UTV) to pass by. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance: 13.1 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 6 hours 52 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1078 metres GPX Data

	Zosia begins hiking at intersection marker 109. This is as far as street legal motorized vehicles (eg. cars or trucks) are allowed to drive. The right-hand road is the correct approach for Mount McLaren.
	Mount Parrish and Mount McLaren are visible in the background as Zosia gradually descends the approach road.
	The North York Creek road eventually leads to a historic plane crash site at the head of the valley. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The east face of Mount McLaren looms ahead. Zosia would eventually climb up the slopes at far right.
	Zosia leaves the road to ascend a partially bushy avalanche slope.
	Ripe raspberries are in abundance on the avalanche slope.
	Zosia veers to climber's right aiming for some conspicuous pinnacles.
	Zosia grinds up the east face of Mount McLaren. The approach road she descended earlier can be seen in the background at far right.
	Sonny gains the north ridge of Mount McLaren. The top of Crowsnest Mountain is hidden in clouds at distant far left. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Clouds shroud the top of Mount Coulthard (far left) as Zosia makes her way to the top of Mount McLaren.
	Sonny takes the last few steps before the summit cairn. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Sonny and Zosia stand on the summit of Mount McLaren (2316 metres).
	Sentry Mountain and Crowsnest Lake are visible to the northwest.
	Zosia descends the south ridge of Mount McLaren with Andy Good Peak (centre) and Mount Parrish (right) in the background.