Tent Ridge Scramble Loop - Spray Lakes Mt Shark Area
Parking Lot for Tent Ridge 1.8km past the Engadine
Lodge turnoff from the Smith Dorrien Spray Lakes road
We did the
loop clockwise, so from the parking area you walk back down the road for a
few minutes to the cutblock
After 15
minutes plus or minus up the cutblock you take this right hand turn. The
trail is narrow and a bit overgrown but generally keep left. It takes you
over to Monica Brook which flow down from the small valley between the
horseshoe shaped Tent Ridge.
Once you exit
the treed trail to the Monica Brook valley you see the right arm of the
horseshoe. Our route goes left up the valley to access the left arm.
Heading up the
Monica Brook valley. Left arm of the horseshoe is left, true summit is to
the right.
Just approaching the left hand turn trail which heads a
bit through the trees again to access Tent Ridge
Above the
trees now accessing Tent Ridge
Engadine Lodge
and the access road off the Smith Dorrien
Typical
terrain on the bumps along the ridge
Head right to
get around these
The harder
bump on the ridge. General route, not exact.
Closer look
at the left hand route.
The false summit in the distance with the antenna on
top
From the
false summit you drop down approx 200 metres and then up to the true summit
Approaching
the true summit
Last steps to the true summit with Tryst Lake below
Views are
quite impressive in almost all directions
Looking back
at the false summit
A look at the descent arm of the horseshoe
Everyone
enjoying the views
Spray Lakes with Mt Nestor to the right of me.
Monica Brook
valley between the two arms
Mt
Assiniboine to the West
The start of the horseshoe
The descent
arm of the clockwise route
Descending
down to the right hand turn off the ridge
Once you take
the right hand turn off the ridge follow the trail halfway across then down
to the big rocks below. Don't continue across the slope into the trees even
though a trail heads that way.
Trail enters
the trees to the right of the big rocks below.
View from
where trail enters the trees
General route
to the open meadow section. Still quite a ways from the parking lot though.
The Creator's
handiwork
Exit onto the overgrown road that leads back to the
parking lot. It is a right hand turn coming off this trail. You are still
maybe 5-10 minutes away.
Overgrown
road exits to the parking lot.
Tent Ridge Horseshoe Hike
Clockwise
Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking
Altitude: 2,554m (8,380 ft)
Elevation Gain: 823m (2,700 ft)
Loop Time: 5 –
6 Hours, approx 10.1 km round trip
Best Season to Scramble: July
to October
This area is bear country so best to
hike in a large group and take the usual precautions
Highlights
This scramble loop follows
a horseshoe shaped ridge and provides impressive views
for the effort made. A highly recommended trip!
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1
for 79km (49.4 miles) and take the Kananaskis Country highway # 40 turnoff
and head south. Continue south and turn right into Peter Lougheed Provincial
Park which is 49km (30.6 miles) south of the TransCanada. From this turnoff
drive 2 km (1.25 miles) and turn right on the Smith
Dorrien/Spray Lakes road driving around
another 30km (18.75 miles) northwest
to the Mt Shark Engadine Lodge left hand turnoff. From
there is another 1.8 km to the parking area on the right side of the road. If you
are coming from Banff you have to go through Canmore, up past the Nordic
Centre which turns into Spray Lakes road and head south for around
37 km give
or take a bit. Then it is a right hand turn onto the Mt
Shark Engadine Lodge road..