Wasootch Peak - Kananaskis Highway 40
- Opposite Nakiska Ski Hill
Looking up the drainage across from
the highway 40 sign
View of basic route from the upper
summit slopes, see the Nakiska turnoff
Gaining altitude as a nice view of
The Wedge to the south appears
Trail through the trees has very
infrequent flagging
Upper trail not to far from tree
line
Yours truly almost to tree line
Yours truly again as nice views
open up
Start of open ridge above tree line
Probably the one spot you approach
the ridge on the right
Views mid way up the ridge
Some hands on mid way up the ridge
The last bit of the undulating ridge to
the open summit slopes
A gauge of the final slope
Short rock step half minute before
the true summit
Another view of the rock step
The summit appears, beautiful day
Summit views North, left of center
is Mt Baldy
Summit views North
Another summit view on a winter day!
A wee bit cold don't you say
Granticulous, ah but such fun!
Wasootch Peak - Kananaskis Highway 40 - Opposite Nakiska
Ski Hill
Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking, Some hands on and route
finding on the moderate open ridge just above tree line
Altitude: 2,362m (7,747 ft)
Elevation Gain: 916m (3,005 ft)
Ascent Time: 2 – 3 Hours
Best Season to Scramble: May to October, Dry Slopes,
Possible Ticks in Spring
Highlights
This scramble is directly across from the Nakiska ski
hill with outstanding views for the effort, probably can be done year round
depending on snow cover in trees and if you have crampons and ice axe and
help to break trail. My trip report was for March 22, 2008.
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1
to the Highway 40 Kananaskis Country turnoff (approx 59.7km from the Canada
Olympic Park intersection to the Highway 40 turnoff). Take the turnoff and
head south on highway 40 for approx. 23 km to the turnoff for the Kananaskis
Inn and Nakiska Ski hill. Carefully turn around here and head back north up
highway 40 for 300 metres and park in the right hand ditch (East side) near
the "Highway 40" sign. The drainage at this sign is the start of the trail.
If you want you can go 50 metres further and park in the ditch near the
highway speed sign as the ditch is a bit flatter here.
Route Description
If you look up the creek bed near the highway 40 sign you
can see the long trek through the trees to the open bumpy ridge on the right
then the gradual left to the summit of Wasootch Peak. Start on the left side
of the creek bed and after 5-10 minutes pick up a trail in the trees
paralleling the creek on the left side. Follow this trail to tree line,
tackle the moderate ridge head on with some hands on climbing usually
staying left or on the center of the ridge. Once past the ridge you
arrive at the final open slope to Wasootch Peak. The true summit is not
visible but only a half a minute from the high point that you can see.
