September 25/2023 Summer Hike, Alberta Canada
Today we are in Kananaskis Country, Alberta Canada and we will be hiking up to Smutwood Peak, I should say almost the peak. This one was not an easy hike. Once we reached the Col the winds were relentless. But the stunning views definitely made up for it. In order to do this trail justice, I have broken this hike into 2 videos. In this video we hike from kilometer 6.5 (mile 4) to kilometer 8.7 (mile 5.4). The views just kept on getting better and better. The total hike is 17.4 kilometers (10.8 miles) out and back with an elevation gain of 901 meters (2960 feet).
The trailhead is located off the Smith Dorrien Trail. This gravel road can be in really rough shape at times. There is a pretty good size parking lot at the trailhead. Today I will be hiking with my friend Corey. We started the hike at 920AM, and the temperature was 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit). We completed the hike at 920PM, exactly 12 hours on the trail.
After a quick rest we continued making our way through the Larch Trees. As we climbed the trail got steeper and steeper once again. Once we cleared the tree line, we had spectacular views looking back down the valley. The trail will ease up a little bit once you hit the rocky scree section. It was 7.3k (4.5 miles) to the Col. We were greeted with absolutely stunning views of one of the lakes, our first glimpse of Smutwood Peak and gale force winds. We now knew that it was going to be a mission to get to the summit with the winds we were facing. The trail now eases up, but you are side hilling it, and it is quite a steep drop on your right. Soon we got a view of the second lake with beautiful Larch Trees everywhere between the lakes and Smutwood Peak towering above it. At 7.8k (4.9 miles) the trail levels off and you will want to take a left here to get views overlooking another valley with a couple of glaciers above it. We found a spot to have our lunch and beer shielded behind some Larch Trees. Now it was time to bundle up to protect us from the wind. From here the trail will get steep again. Now the views become more and more stunning with the two lakes below you and Mount Smuts behind it. Behind you the views just get better looking back at Mount Birdwood. Soon you will find yourself climbing up some very steep rock sections and a little scrambling is required. At 8.1k (5 miles) you will reach a nice viewpoint. As you work your way up the ridge you will now get views of another valley to your left. The trail will now take you to the backside of Smutwood and there is no spot to hide from the wind. Now you will have a steep drop off on your left as you work your way up the rocky trail. At 8.7k (5.4 Miles) we reached a Col just below the last section up to the summit. Our elevation was 2576 meters (8450 feet). Here is where we called it. The winds were just too strong, and we knew already that we would be getting back to the car in the dark. I can’t describe how beautiful the views were. We didn’t stay here very long before heading back down. We worked our way back down to the area where we had lunch and took another break. Just as we were arriving at the meadow the sun had set. We hiked the last 4 kilometers back to the car in the dark with our headlamps.
This hike was an awesome adventure and I highly recommend it. Be prepared though, it is not an easy hike. I am definitely going back next year to bag that summit.
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Thank you,
Cary Mason
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Email - liveonalberta@gmail.com
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