Mount Burke - South Kananaskis
Cataract Creek Area
The view of our objective from the
parking area just outside the entrance to
Cataract Creek campground
Wide grassy area at the start on the
north side of Salter Creek
Past the wide grassy area things
begin to narrow down
Sometimes you have to walk on the
creek bed as the trail fades here
and there, just keep to the left or
north side of the creek
After a kilometer or so you hike on
an old overgrown road for a bit
After 2.5 kilometers you arrive at
the sign for the left hand turn
up the switchbacks from the creek
bed
The start of the switchback trail
A view of the early switchbacks
Snow and some post holing higher up
(May 17, 2008)
Just above tree line, head for the
ridge point
Nice view of Plateau Mountain to
the South
Our route so far to tree line
At the ridge point the way is obvious,
still a bit of elevation to go though
The Calgary Outdoor Club on its way to
the summit
Another good day away from the busy
city!
Mount Burke South Kananaskis
Scramble: Class 1 Steep Hiking
Altitude: 2,240m (8,333 ft)
Elevation Gain: 880m (2,890 ft) 8km one way 16km return
Ascent Time: 2 1/2 3 1/2 Hours
Best Season to Scramble: Mid May to October, Possible
Ticks in Spring
Highlights
This scramble offers very nice views above tree line. My
trip report was for March 17, 2008. If the weather is hot and dry take lots
of water. At least 2 liters perhaps 3 liters.
Getting There
There is more than one way to get to Longview, Alberta
from Calgary. I suggest taking the quickest route to highway 22x and turning
south on highway 22 going through Turner Valley, left at Turner Valley over
to Black Diamond, then a right in the middle of Black Diamond continuing on
highway 22 south (watch for highway signs as you go through Turner Valley
and Black Diamond) on to Longview. From Longview take highway 541 west for
44km to Highwood Junction then a left (south) on Forestry Service Road 940
(gravel road here) for approx 13km then a left onto the road to Cataract
Creek Campground. Park just outside the campground entrance in a flat area
to the right.
Route Description
Looking east from the parking area you can see the summit
of Mt Burke and the long treed shoulder that the switchbacks ascend. From
the parking area head up the broad grassy area next to Salter Creek. Its
wide at the start and narrows as you travel further up Salter Creek
basically keeping to the North side of the creek. The trail disappears here
and there as you go up the creek so sometimes you have to walk in the creek
bed for a bit. Eventually as it narrows there is an old road that travels
along the creek for a bit. The idea is to basically travel up the creek for
around 2.5 km (approx 45 minutes). Then you arrive at the yellow sign nailed
to the tree that point lefts to begin the switchbacks for Mt Burke. There is
a short and steep section from the creek bed which then becomes the long and
well graded switchbacks that take you to tree line. From tree line head for
the ridge point straight above zig zagging up the slope. From the ridge
point the summit appears in the distance and the way is obvious.
