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Yamnuska Summit

Yamnuska Summit near Kananaskis, AB

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This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars

11 kms
6hours
difficult
Hiking, Rock Climbing
Summer, Fall
Kananaskis, AB

trailpeak

LARGER MAP

NTS Map: 082O03

Elevation Gain: 900 m (2,953 ft).

This trail is 10km west of (and 900m higher than):

A Bow Vally Classic for hikers and climbers. Its sheer 500' face can be seen from the TransCanada and the peak is often in the clouds. It gets an A for accessability.

There are many routes for both up this limestone mountain to the 2240m summit. Even hikers (who can do a 900m elevation change in 4.5-6km) can make it to the summit without special equipment. The first 3km is through mixed forest with a wide variety of wild life and birds to see. Above the trees is a fair amount of skree and careful footing is required.

A loop can be made around the mountain and if so, do it CCW. To make the loop (or get to the summit from the E), there is a narrow ledge 30m long that must be traversed about 300m from the summit. There is a cable to hang on to but it isn't for the faint of heart as you can see in the picture.

Editor's Note: This is a scramble. Be aware that scrambling can injure or kill you. Be prepared, know your limits and make sure somebody knows where you're going.

Directions:

Calgary, west on TC1 ~60km to Seebe turnoff. Go N on 1X to 1A, then E 2km to Yamnuska parking lot on N side of highway. Go to N end of lot and follow well used trail.

By Posted By: mark3107 - Mon Jun 28 00:20:10 EDT 2010 Upside well signed and maintained trail with an exciting cable walk. The scree running was superb. Downside Not dog friendly due to the cable walk and the scree if coming down the west side Comment Fantastic hike with outstanding views and serious exposure when looking over the edge. The cable walk was exciting and the scree running awesome but not suited to less experienced hikers or people afraid of heights.

By Posted By: slickster - Sun Apr 18 00:04:22 EDT 2010 Upside great hike with some scrambling. fantastic views. Downside did this in april with others on the trail, and i suppose it could get busy in summer. Comment I enjoyed this hike a lot. CCW loop. the crux in the rockband was quite manageable and similarly with the cable and the ledge.

on the descend, i would recommend considering gaitors to keep the rocks out of the boots. there is a lot of scree on the descend.

i took 6 hrs to go around and that includes time for pictures, lunch, and some breaks.

By Posted By: Omeljaniuk - Thu Jan 15 13:43:34 EST 2009 Not Rated Question YAMNUSKA TRAVERSE CRUX SOLUTIONGreetings!

1. I've taken the route up Yamnuska from the east and summitted from the west.

2. From the east, the cable-protected ledge is straightforward but I haven't figured out what to do after I unclip and try to reaccess the route to the summit. I've scrambled down a few meters after the cable-protected ledge and tried to have a look but I wouldn't commit after the wall on the left because I couldn't see. So, which way to get down and resume the summit track?

3. Thanks in advance. When I take my kids up I tend to be very, very cautious. They on the other hand are fearless.

Cheers!

Robert

By Posted By: Bud Stokes - Mon Oct 27 01:29:23 EDT 2008 Upside Great variety, loved the alpine section. Fairly high exposure in a few places (along the cable) but not diffucult at all..... just very cool!!! Many possibe lines so its a good one to do multiple times.... also fairly short (1/2 day) and close to Calgary Downside Overpopulated Comment Six hours is a generous estimation of time. Five of us did it in four hours and we are fairly average hikers in my opinion, we did not stop for lunch however so that would add a bit more time.

By Posted By: Sarabiner - Mon Oct 13 13:42:10 EDT 2008 Upside Great exposure. Climbing, bouldering and a waterfall to cool off on after a scree ski down. Downside Overpopulated. Comment A strong hiker can bomb it up, around, and back to the car park in less than 4 hours though a great number of people take the full day. Give yourself extra time if you've never hiked Yam before.

By Posted By: pduncan - Sun Mar 23 13:38:08 EDT 2008 Not Rated Question Spectral Creek/GhostI was looking for information on the Ghost-Spectral Creek/Lakes area, thinking of a backpack this summer. I am aware of the closure on the Aylmer side during "berry season" and thru the autumn. Apparently this was formerly a popular backpacking trip, but it seems few have traveled there in recent years. If anyone has hiked in the past few years, I would appreciate info on condition of the route up Spectral Creek from the Ghost. Also would be curious if anyone has hiked Paradise Pass from the Ghost, that seems to be a valley very rarely traveled.
Thanks
Paula Duncan

By Posted By: fered - Tue Sep 25 11:05:02 EDT 2007 Upside The view and the scenery is spectacular. Downside There was a lot of snow on the scramble to the peak because it is on the north eastern side and the sun disappears behind the mountain fairly early, a good reason to start early in the morning. We tried to make it yesterday (September 24) and there was about a foot of snow. Comment BE WARNED, if there is snow don't attempt the summit unless you are experienced.