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Rockies :: Icefields :: Jimmy Junior

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Jimmy Junior Summit Panorama. Ascent ridge rising above Bow Lake lower center

July 11, 2025

Mt. Jimmy Simpson above Bow Lake is widely considered one of best easy scrambles on the Icefields. With good reason - I've done it twice, and scenery is spectacular.  East outlier, lower by some 250m, has been dubbed "Jimmy Junior", and is less frequently visited.  Approach is completely different, which further adds to appeal if you've been to main summit.  Outing is short and sweet, and it offers huge reward/effort ratio; overall scenery might even be better! There are no difficulties and except for 2 easy gullies, one lower down and second directly below the summit entire ascent is just moderately steep hiking. In terms of routefinding main issue is identifying correct turnoff from Bow Lake trail -- if you use GAIA, don't - there are 2 turnoffs and both are wrong. Correct spot, see Map below Abstract and download GPX file from Top of Page, has well defined trail with minimal bushwhack that brings you within 30min to treeline.  Lower cliff above can be scaled at different points, but easiest is gully at far climber left. View from start of south ridge is stupid beautiful, and reason by itself to go here even if you don't want to continue all the way. Higher up good trail can be found at climber left. Final summit block looks as if it might pose an issue, but it's just brief classic Rockies talus gully, class 2 at most.  Summit had huge cairn and register during my July '25 visit.

Descent is the same way, and you will have in-your-face view of magnificent Bow Lake the entire way before treeline.  Word of caution:  If curious about faulty GAIA track dropping directly from start of South Ridge, resist the urge to investigate.  It is wrong and can lead to serious trouble, as seen on several videos posted by Social Media hikers floating on Internet.

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