Tent Ridge Scramble Loop - Spray Lakes Mt Shark Area
Parking Lot for Tent Ridge 1.8km past the Engadine Lodge turnoff from the Smith Dorrien Spray Lakes road
We did the loop clockwise, so from the parking area you walk back down the road for a few minutes to the cutblock
After 15 minutes plus or minus up the cutblock you take this right hand turn. The trail is narrow and a bit overgrown but generally keep left. It takes you over to Monica Brook which flow down from the small valley between the horseshoe shaped Tent Ridge.
Once you exit the treed trail to the Monica Brook valley you see the right arm of the horseshoe. Our route goes left up the valley to access the left arm.
Heading up the Monica Brook valley. Left arm of the horseshoe is left, true summit is to the right.
Just approaching the left hand turn trail which heads a bit through the trees again to access Tent Ridge
Above the trees now accessing Tent Ridge
Engadine Lodge and the access road off the Smith Dorrien
Typical terrain on the bumps along the ridge
Head right to get around these
The harder bump on the ridge. General route, not exact.
Closer look at the left hand route.
The false summit in the distance with the antenna on top
From the false summit you drop down approx 200 metres and then up to the true summit
Approaching the true summit
Last steps to the true summit with Tryst Lake below
Views are quite impressive in almost all directions
Looking back at the false summit
A look at the descent arm of the horseshoe
Everyone enjoying the views
Spray Lakes with Mt Nestor to the right of me.
Monica Brook valley between the two arms
Mt Assiniboine to the West
The start of the horseshoe
The descent arm of the clockwise route
Descending down to the right hand turn off the ridge
Once you take the right hand turn off the ridge follow the trail halfway across then down to the big rocks below. Don't continue across the slope into the trees even though a trail heads that way.
Trail enters the trees to the right of the big rocks below.
View from where trail enters the trees
General route to the open meadow section. Still quite a ways from the parking lot though.
The Creator's handiwork
Exit onto the overgrown road that leads back to the parking lot. It is a right hand turn coming off this trail. You are still maybe 5-10 minutes away.
Overgrown road exits to the parking lot.
Tent Ridge Horseshoe Hike Clockwise
- Scramble: Class 2 - Steep Hiking
- Altitude: 2,554m (8,380 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 823m (2,700 ft)
- Loop Time: 5 - 6 Hours, approx 10.1 km round trip
- Best Season to Scramble: July to October This area is bear country so best to hike in a large group and take the usual precautions
Highlights
This scramble loop follows a horseshoe shaped ridge and provides impressive views for the effort made. A highly recommended trip!
Getting There
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1 for 79km (49.4 miles) and take the Kananaskis Country highway # 40 turnoff and head south. Continue south and turn right into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park which is 49km (30.6 miles) south of the TransCanada. From this turnoff drive 2 km (1.25 miles) and turn right on the Smith Dorrien/Spray Lakes road driving around another 30km (18.75 miles) northwest to the Mt Shark Engadine Lodge left hand turnoff. From there is another 1.8 km to the parking area on the right side of the road. If you are coming from Banff you have to go through Canmore, up past the Nordic Centre which turns into Spray Lakes road and head south for around 37 km give or take a bit. Then it is a right hand turn onto the Mt Shark Engadine Lodge road.