Barrier Lookout

Barrier Lookout is a simple hike and allows for an easy summit with only moderate effort. The trail starts in the large parking lot at the Barrier Lake dam. The trail is the road blocked by a gate, crossing the dam.

The path is uninspiring as it really is just an old road climbing through the forest to the shoulder ridge of Barrier Mountain. The grade is moderate and the hike is easy and boring for the most part. If you make it to the point where the road becomes an actual trail you'll be rewarded with views Mount Baldy and Barrier Lake. If you've made it this far, don't stop as the trail finally starts to get interesting. The path will narrow and climb steeply to the top of some bluffs on a shoulder below the fire lookout. There are some interesting rock formations here, along with a brass cap. It's a popular place to sit and lunch.

From the rocks you have the option of following the ridge to the south and making a loop out of your hike or continuing west up to the summit and the lookout. It's an easy ascent with great views towards Mount Yamnuska and the Bow River Valley. The lookout at the summit is comprised of a couple buildings, an outhouse and a helipad. They are not for public use and signs ask you not to disturb but it's probably okay to sit on the edge of the pad to eat your lunch. From the peak you have decent views to the west towards Heart Mountain.

Retrace your steps to return to your car.

Picasa Web Album

Mount Indefatigable

Mount Indefatigable is nestled between the Kananaskis Lakes and the summit offers great views of both lakes along with towards Three Isle Lake and South Kananaskis pass to the West and the steep valley holding hidden lake and a distant Fossil Falls.Mount Indefatigable and its neighbor Mount Invincible were named for warships destroyed by the German navy in the battle of Jutland in 1916. 

You cannot spend any time in the Kananaskis Lakes area and not be tempted by relatively easy looking summit overlooking the area. The false summit at the southern end of the massive is an easy ascent but the true summit to the north requires some moderate scrambling to summit. Our hike took the classic route around the back side to the north summit with a ridgewalk to the south summit before descending back down the shoulder. 

The hike starts at the Upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot at the end of the Kananaskis Lakes Trail near the Interlakes campground. Follow the Kananaskis Lakes trail to the north over the spillway. Almost immediately after turning to the west you will pass a narrow trail on the right side. This is your trail. The trail will begin a moderate climb, crossing a small creek before it becomes apparent that you're working your way up a ridge on the shoulder of the mountain. As you break out of the trees you'll start to enjoy views of Lower Kananaskis Lake on your right and a large gully on your left. 

The steep slope on the left will give way to rock walls. Enjoy the views but don't get too close to the edge. As you climb the shoulder ridge the trail will eventually return to some trees where the trail will fork. The left branch leads to the south summit while the right branch is the better path for reaching the north summit. 

The trail will traverse the slope to a high tarn and you'll cross a creek at the outlet. You'll find yourself in a large amphitheater. Keeping heading straight up the slope to the col to the left of the summit. From the col the sharp ridge to the summit will be apparent. This is where the scrambling begins. The best line will be slightly to the left of the ridge line with plenty of large hand-holds and rocks to use to pick your way up. I foolishly dragged my now fiancée up this route on her first real hike. Never having experienced any similar, the exposure was enough to bring her to hysterics and seriously question the likelihood of her survival. We made the summit but I had one very upset girlfriend. It's not the most difficult scrambling but there is some exposure. 

The scramble to the south summit also has some exposure but should be a cakewalk after the scramble to the summit. From the south summit descend the scree slopes. The slopes were still largely covered in snow during our trip so we lost the trail repeatedly on the descent. We eventually discovered it as it emerged from under a large snow patch. It was a well defined trail so it should be easy to follow if you're fortunate enough to go once the snow has melted. 

After descending the scree the trail should meet up with your route up shortly. From there follow the trail you used to ascend the shoulder ridge to return to your car. 

Picasa Web Album

GPS Track (.gpx)