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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Fortress South Outlier

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Fortress South Outlier Ridge Panorama.  Highest Point directly across,  main Peak behind to the left.   Hwy40 corridor right

Sep 16, 2024

Compact alpine valley tucked between Mt. Chester and Headwall Peak is usually used as (one of two possible) approach for Kane Fortress Mountain scramble.  Beautiful Headwall Lakes along the way, as described in Daffern K-Country Guide, are worthy day-hike destination on their own.  Totally off radar is ridge rising above upper Headwall Lake ending in 2850m highpoint,  also known as "Fortress South Outlier".   Despite being obvious, route  is not documented in any hiking guidebook I know off and there are just a handful of personal websites, with no mention on zombie social media groups either.  There are no technical and views from summit ridge are fantastic.  Stellar approach hike adds to overall appeal;  I expect this route to become more popular in the future.

Crux of the day is navigation of ultra confusing XC Ski road Network, starting from south corner of Chester Lake parking lot.  There are several junctions along the way but despite having signposts they all look alike - easiest is to simply use GPS (download Top of the Page).   Shortly after crossing wide wood bridge over Headwall Creek ~45min in, watch for trail on the left (east) side.   Third photo in the Gallery,  Waypoint "1 - Headwall Junction".  Trail is narrow with some deadfall but overall easy to follow.  After passing some washed out parts at creek level and contouring huge boulder field below Headwall Peak (cairns), it starts steep and rough climb to lower Headwall Lake - about 2 hrs from the Parking.   Scree path circumvents lower lake at right side, then ascends grassy bench by "Headwall Cascades" to the lip of Upper Lake.  This is usual day-hiker turnaround point and trail now vanishes.

For Fortress South (or main Peak) continue around upper lake,  then after hiking delightful karst valley angle up obvious Talus slope on right side.  It is less steep and more solid from what you might expect.  Best line ascends diagonally aiming to intercept goat trails above cliff band halfway, then easily hikes up stable terrain to low saddle - about an hour from valley floor.  Turning left hike over lower bump and after brief descent ridgewalk to South Outlier, that to my surprise even had summit register.   Views are superb and in my opinion even better from Fortress Main summit.

Return is the same way and will be considerably faster - at least quick run to Headwall valley floor.  Be mindful not to follow goat trails all the way down as they end on cliffs of which goats don't care much about, but humans do.

Gallery

Headwall Creek Bridge Crossing of Headwall Creek ~45min from Chester Parking (view back)