Wasootch Ridge

BOU AVENUE
Wasootch Ridge

With high avalanche danger in the mountains on 16 March 2024, Zosia Zgolak and I opted do a relatively safe hike partway up Wasootch Ridge in Alberta's Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park. The route is well-described in Gillean Daffern's Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, and although Zosia and I had already ascended, on previous separate occasions, to the highest point along the ridge, we were both game for a repeat visit given the fabulous weather forecast.

Starting from the Wasootch trailhead (50.97078, -115.09448), Zosia and I headed eastward into forest and almost immediately began climbing steeply up the northwestern terminus of the ridge. Ice cleats were essential on this day because the snow-covered trail was extremely icy in the morning. After an initial steep climb, we settled into a more gradual ascent of the ridge and were fortunate to have a nicely-broken trail to follow throughout our trip. The ridge also undulates a fair amount, but this was seemingly more noticeable during our return when we had to climb back out all the annoying dips. On this day, most people stopped at a couple of high points just before where the route drops off the crest to bypass more technical sections of the ridge. A few misguided hikers continued further along the ridge crest only to be stymied--we would later learn--by increasingly exposed terrain. Given the abundance of snow on the ridge, Zosia and I were quite content to forego an attempt on the true high point, and as far as we could tell, there did not appear to be any recent traffic continuing beyond the start of the bypass.

Although it is tempting to drop down into Wasootch Creek from the ridge crest for the return trip, this option is fraught with route-finding challenges mostly in the form of hidden drop-offs which I had previously discovered first-hand. With this knowledge, Zosia and I simply retraced our steps all the way back along the ridge. Besides the hot sun becoming a bit unbearable in the afternoon, the most difficult aspect of the return was descending the steeper parts of the ridge especially near the northwestern terminus. While the icy sections had softened up considerably, the resulting wet slush was still dangerously slippery, and we had to remain vigilant with our footing to avoid injurious spills. Fortunately, we made it down to the parking lot without any mishaps to round out a perfectly beautiful mid-March day in the mountains.

	Sonny stands on the highest point of Wasootch Ridge on 18 October 1997. Behind him to the east is Tiara Peak.
	Zosia stands on the highest point of Wasootch Ridge on 14 June 2009. Behind her to the south is Mount McDougall. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	On 16 March 2024, Zosia ascends the snowy northwestern terminus of Wasootch Ridge.

Wasootch Peak might be worth revisiting one of these days...

Early in the hike, there are already good views of Wasootch Tower (left) and Wasootch Peak (G8 Summits).

At this viewpoint overlooking Wasootch Creek, Zosia watches a couple of hikers absentmindedly descending a spur ridge. They would soon realize their error and head in the right direction (out of the photo to the left).

I have yet to climb both!

One of the first openings on the ridge grants this view to the northwest of Mount Lorette (left) and Mary Barclay's Mountain (right).

	Zosia follows another hiker down probably the biggest dip along Wasootch Ridge. The highest point of the ridge is visible at distant left.
	Some parts of the ridge are already dry.
	The two high points here are the end of the line for most hikers on this day.
	After tagging the first high point, Zosia makes her way to the second high point (right of centre). The highest point of Wasootch Ridge stands out at left.
	On this day, Zosia and Sonny are content to turn around at the second high point (2159 metres).

Not a scramble on this day with all the snow!

As seen here from the second high point, the usual route to the highest point of Wasootch Peak bypasses the increasingly technical ridge crest by traversing below the slabs just ahead.

On the return trip, Zosia carefully makes her way across a narrow and mildly exposed section of ridge.

Despite all the snow, it feels like summer already!

The hike back down the ridge is long but very scenic.

	Sonny feels like he is skiing down the slippery trail. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance: 12.0 kilometres* Round-Trip Time: 7 hours 53 minutes* Cumulative Elevation Gain: 698 metres* GPX Data * Trip data is only for the subsidiary high point (not the highest point).