Trail Conditions

3 photos

Kananaskis: Northover Ridge and South to North Kananaskis Passes

Kananaskis: Northover Ridge and South to North Kananaskis Passes

Trail Conditions

Hi Everyone,
Two guests and I just returned from a ramble around South and North Kananaskis Passes through Peter Lougheed and Height of The Rockies Provincial Parks. From Three Isles Lake, the North end of the Northover Ridge Route is still in early season conditions (see image below) with snow occupying some of the regular ascent line. My group and I opted to admire the views from below after stepping off scree to wallow in 45cm of isothermal slush on the flats a ways below the base of the ascent slope. Folks choosing to travel the Northover Route in the near future should be very mindful of what (and who) is above (and below) you and if you are able to deal with (and have equipment for) changing snow conditions throughout the day before stepping out onto snow.

The next day we traveled from South to North Kananaskis Passes via Height of the Rockies Provincial Park. We encountered short sections of difficult (ie very firm) scree descending from Beatty Lake and a passable (but quite bushy) trail to join the Great Divide Route to North Kananaskis Pass. Both crossings of Leroy Creek along the Great Divide Route were easily managed, and some recent looking saw-work by BC Parks has lead to only a handful of deadfall along the length of the trail.

Back on the Alberta side of the border, some snow patches still linger in sheltered areas near treeline on the trail between Turbine Canyon and Forks Campgrounds but seem to be swiftly melting.
Happy trails,
Ben Nearingburg
ACMH AHG/WHG
CAA Active Member

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

On The Map

These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.