Guinn's Peak

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Guinn's Peak

On 25 September 2021, Andrea Battistel, Shaun Luong, Bob Parr, Zosia Zgolak and I hiked up unofficially-named Guinn's Peak in Alberta's Spray Valley Provincial Park. Gillean Daffern calls this "Peak 237374" in her Kananaskis Country Trail Guide as well as in her complementary blog site kananaskistrails.com, but the unofficial name has seemingly stuck on most online maps probably due to the peak's close proximity to Guinn's Pass which is unofficially named in honour of Alvin Guinn, a local outfitter and guide. It is worth noting that the approach via Galatea Creek is closed annually between May 1 and late June.

Starting from the Galatea trailhead (west side of Highway 40, 33 kilometres south of junction with Trans-Canada Highway), Andrea, Shaun, Bob, Zosia and I descended the trail to cross a suspension bridge over Kananaskis River before settling into a long but uncomplicated hike to Lillian Lake. The trail was extremely busy on this day, and it was sometimes slow-going to get by some very large hiking groups. We took a short break at Lillian Lake before tackling the steep climb up to Galatea Lakes, but once again, we were slowed here by another very large hiking group (youthful members of a cross-country ski club). Just before reaching the first of the Galatea Lakes, we turned onto a newly-constructed trail leading to Guinn's Pass (the old trail branched off east of Lillian Lake). By doing so, we left most of the crowd behind us as we climbed steadily across open slopes for the next 1.5 kilometres to the pass. Upon reaching the pass, we turned right and ascended gentle slopes up to a ridge overlooking Ribbon Lake. From there, we continued eastward along the ridge crest and reached the top of Guinn's Peak without any difficulties. Best of all, we had the summit all to ourselves.

Finding shelter from the wind on the lee side of the summit, Andrea, Shaun, Bob, Zosia and I took an extended break for close to an hour before reluctantly commencing our long descent. Going back the way we came, we only had issues with the heavy congestion on the narrow trail between Galatea Lakes and Lillian Lake. Otherwise, the rest of our hike out went fairly quickly and painlessly. The final 20-metre climb from Kananaskis River up to the trailhead is rather cruel but thankfully short.

	The group crosses a bridge over Kananaskis River not far from the trailhead.
	This is Lillian Lake.
	Here is the first glimpse of Guinn's Peak from the trail between Lillian Lake and Galatea Lakes.
	The newly-constructed trail to Guinn's Pass branches off from the trail to Galatea Lakes at this point.
	Zosia hikes the trail to Guinn's Pass which is not yet visible from here.
	The lower of the two Galatea Lakes can be seen behind Sonny as he climbs the trail to Guinn's Pass. Also in the background is The Tower. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The group approaches Guinn's Pass at centre. At far right is Guinn's Peak.
	The group makes a brief pause at Guinn's Pass before pushing on up the peak.
	The unnamed peak (Gillean Daffern calls it "Peak 217373") west of Guinn's Pass has an impressive north face.
	The group ascends the easy west ridge of Guinn's Peak.
	Lillian Lake (lower left) and the Galatea Lakes (the upper lake is barely discernible) are visible to the southwest in this view from the summit.
	The basin to the northwest invites further exploration.
	Mount Kidd South Peak dominates the view to the east.
	The jagged peaks of the Opal Range stand out on the southeast horizon.
	Bob, Shaun, Andrea, Zosia and Sonny stand on the summit of Guinn's Peak (2618 metres).

This peak really needs a colourful name!

Here is a more comprehensive view of Peak 217373 above Guinn's Pass.

	To the north, Mount Bogart stands above Ribbon Lake.
	The group descends from Guinn's Pass on the hike out.
	Total Distance: 19.6 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 7 hours 47 minutes Net Elevation Gain: 1091 metres GPX Data