Mount Kitchener

BOU AVENUE
Mount Kitchener

Kicking off our spring break on 18 April 2025, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked up Mount Kitchener located just northeast of Creston, British Columbia. Not to be confused with its more well-known namesake on the Columbia Icefield, Mount Kitchener is merely a low forested hump along Crowsnest Highway and is most easily ascended via logging roads along its north ridge. I drew most of my inspiration for this hike from Kieran Simpson's 2022 trip report, but given the remaining snow pack in the mountains, there was a lot of uncertainty about the feasibility of an ascent or even the access to Simpson's starting point.

From Highway 3, turn north onto Leadville Road in the community of Kitchener located about 18 kilometres east of Creston. Drive 4.9 kilometres on Leadville Road which becomes Goat River Forest Service Road (2WD gravel) and turn right onto a logging road climbing up the hillside. Ignoring side roads, follow the logging road for 6.6 kilometres to a large parking area (49.21195, -116.31195) in a clear cut. The logging road is suitable for 2WD vehicles, but high clearance is recommended.

Due to lingering snow, Zosia and I were able to drive only as far as the last switchback about 400 metres short of the parking area, but we had no problems walking the remaining distance. We then followed the continuation of the road--not really suitable for driving at this point--and soon encountered increasing amounts of snow. Fortunately, the snow pack was very supportive, and we were able to walk on top of it without sinking. At one point, we lost the road briefly, but the supportive snow made off-trail hiking easy as we stuck close to the crest of the north ridge en route to the summit. Although the summit area is somewhat open, far-reaching views are largely obscured by surrounding trees, and the most striking peaks are too distant to be fully appreciated.

While it was tempting to plop down and enjoy a long break on the summit, Zosia and I were worried that snow conditions would deteriorate in the warm weather. As such, we promptly began our descent as soon as we snapped our usual summit photograph. We had few difficulties retracing our steps back down the north ridge, but our concerns were justified when we punched through the snow in a number of spots. Luckily, we made it back to bare ground without any extended post-holing, and we had no further issues walking back to our car.

	Zosia arrives at the usual parking spot for the start of the hike up Mount Kitchener.
	The snow covering the road is surprisingly supportive. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	On this day, most of the ascent is hiking up a snow-covered road in the forest.
	A rare opening in the trees allows a glimpse of Mount Kitchener's summit just ahead.
	Zosia and Sonny stand on the summit of Mount Kitchener (1783 metres).
	On the way down, Sonny pauses at the same opening in the trees to gaze at distant peaks to the north. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia hurries down the mountain in hopes of getting off the snow before it turns isothermal.
	Total Distance: 8.6 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 3 hours 39 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 509 metres GPX Data