East End of Rundle

The Rundle Massive dominates the skyline and separates Canmore and Banff. The true summit may take you to a higher elevation but only through much greater effort with no more reward. The East End of Rundle grants you a significant summit that can be attained fairly easily and rewards you with spectacular views almost the entire way up.

There is a large official parking lot at the Goat Creek trailhead but we were able to park on a large gravel shoulder by a large rock outcropping at the start of Whiteman's Pond. Both parking options are marked on the GPS file, although there is only room for a few cars at the spot closer to the trailhead. Mind the parking signs as they do occassionally enforce the restrictions.

From your car head back down the gravel road towards Canmore. The trailhead isn't marked but it's easy to spot. It's just past an old sign that no longer has the sign board on it, only the frame. The trail will angle up the slope before cutting back and continuing to climb to the ridge. This is probably the least enjoyable portion as the trip as you're climbing and stuck in the trees. Don't worry though, you'll emerge from the trees and start to enjoy the view in no time.

The trail will branch again and again as it climbs along the ridge. No particular branch is better than any other but if you generally keep to the right you should enjoy a less obstructed view towards Canmore while staying to the left might provide a slightly easier and more direct route up the ridge. If you're really uncomfortable with heights the options to the left should calm you a little more as well.

The trail will climb rapidly and in no time you'll be completely above the tree-line. The trail will eventually lead you to a bench on the shoulder of the summit just below some soft vegetation covered slopes and the final scree ascent to the summit. The only well defined trail here is to the far right but there are several lesser trails heading up in a more direct route.

There are several routes to the summit. We elected to aim for the small saddle between a nub and the ridge to the summit. From there you can follow a path to just below the rock bands guarding the summit. Strong scramblers that without an aversion to exposure can head straight up the ridge. If you're not quite so sure footed, follow the base of the rock band to your left. You will pass a couple chutes before coming to one that can be climbed easily. It's steep with lots of loose rock but it requires no climbing and has no real exposure. It should be fairly obvious so if you're not sure go to the next chute. For the summit route with the absolute least amount of exposure and absolutely no scrambling continue left along the rock band. You will eventually encounter a trail that will be angling back towards the summit to your right. It's the trail we used for our descent but it can also be used for an ascent. If you want to ascend that way you can approach it directly by going straight up the scree slopes from the bench mentioned earlier.

Once you're above the rock band there's just one small hop to the summit of the East End of Rundle. From here you'll be able to see all the other summits along the Rundle massive. The next most southern peak is an easy ridgewalk that will only add an hour to your trip.

There are a couple bivy walls built near that summit that act as great shelters from the wind if you want to lunch at top. You will also have views of Assiniboine sticking out above all the other peaks to the southwest.

To descend we followed the route with the most scree as I find it the easiest way to descend with as little pain inflicted upon my knees as possible. A fast descent can have you back at your car an hour.