BOU AVENUE
       Boundary Peak
       On 25 November 2023, Zosia Zgolak and I 
       scrambled up unofficially-named Boundary Peak located on the border 
       between Alberta's Kananaskis Country Public Land Use Zone and Elbow-Sheep 
       Wildland Provincial Park.  Zosia proposed this trip after reading a
       
       report by Bob Spirko, and we would use the same approach via South 
       Lusk Meadows which is detailed in Gillean Daffern's Kananaskis Country 
       Trail Guide.  Another impetus for this trip was to take 
       advantage of the eastern access for Lusk Pass prior to the annual closure 
       (December 1 to May 14) of Powderface Trail (2WD gravel road).  
       Joining us on this day were a couple of Polish hikers--Malgosia and 
       Marcin--that we met on our recent Halloween
       hike.
       
       Starting from our parking spot along Powderface Trail (50.98701, 
       -114.95587), Malgosia, Marcin, Zosia and I walked north along the road 
       for about 100 metres to the signed eastern trailhead for Lusk Pass.  
       We then hiked the official trail for about 500 metres before turning left 
       onto an unmarked path which is easy to miss especially with any 
       appreciable snow cover.  Heading southwest, we followed the path along an unnamed 
       tributary of Jumpingpound Creek, and we had no issues with creek 
       crossings and boggy sections since everything was mostly frozen.  
       About 1.3 kilometres from the turnoff, we passed through the campsite 
       mentioned in Spirko's report.  The campsite is located at a split in 
       the tributary, and we had to muddle around a bit here before picking up 
       the path again alongside the northern branch.  Because of some 
       downed trees, we briefly lost the path about 700 metres west of the 
       campsite, but after checking our GPS, we were able to make a course 
       correction and get back on track.  We eventually reached a narrow 
       cutline which led us without fuss to the head of the valley where we made 
       an abrupt right turn and climbed out of the trees onto South Lusk 
       Meadows.  From there, we crossed a brief dip before climbing up a 
       steep snow-covered rubble slope below what happens to be the extension of 
       Boundary Peak's north ridge.  There were a few deep pockets of snow 
       mostly around the last trees, but fortunately, we did not have to 
       post-hole too much.  Upon gaining the ridge crest, we turned right 
       and quickly tagged a minor high point which is labeled on
       OpenTopoMap as "Boundary Ridge".  
       We took a short break here before backtracking to where we first gained 
       the ridge crest and continuing onward to Boundary Peak.  Other than 
       one moderately steep but short section of easy scrambling, the north 
       ridge of Boundary Peak presents no serious challenges, and we easily 
       reached the summit about 70 minutes after leaving the high point of 
       Boundary Ridge.
       Malgosia, Marcin, Zosia and I stopped for a 
       longer break on the summit of Boundary Peak before commencing our 
       descent.  Retracing our footprints, we had no issues returning to 
       where we first gained the ridge crest.  Interestingly, we 
       encountered a bighorn sheep here going in the opposite direction, and as 
       it kept coming toward us, we stood still and wondered if it would simply 
       walk right past us on the ridge crest.  As it turned out, the sheep 
       veered off the ridge crest at the last moment and quickly detoured around 
       us before continuing on its merry way toward Boundary Peak.  After 
       our close encounter with the sheep, we dropped down the steep 
       snow-covered rubble slope back to South Lusk Meadows.  We had to be 
       careful with the slippery footing here, but thankfully, we all made it 
       down safely without any mishaps.  The ensuing hike down the cutline 
       and out the valley felt monotonously long but was otherwise 
       straightforward and uneventful.
       
       
       
       Malgosia joins Zosia and Marcin on the high point of unofficially-named Boundary Ridge (2181 
       metres).  At left is Midday Peak while
       Mount Baldy is 
       visible at centre.
        
       
         
           |  | Here is the view of Boundary Peak from 
           the high point of Boundary Ridge. | 
         
           |  | The group hikes along the connecting 
           ridge to Boundary Peak. | 
         
           |  | Zosia scrambles up the steepest 
           section of Boundary Peak's north ridge. | 
         
           |  | The remainder of the ascent is just an easy hike up snow-covered 
           rubble. | 
         
           |  | Much of the approach can be seen 
           behind Marcin and Malgosia as they finish their climb.  At far 
           left is South Lusk Meadows, and the approach valley is visible at 
           centre. | 
         
           |  | Malgosia, Marcin, Zosia and Sonny 
           stand on the summit of Boundary Peak (2440 metres). | 
         
           |  | In the foreground to the southeast is
           Belmore 
           Browne Peak. | 
         
           |  | Here is the summit view to the south. | 
         
       
       
       
       Numerous familiar peaks stretch across the western horizon.