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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Gypsum Ridge

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Author enjoying early spring K-Lakes panorama from Gypsum Ridge endpoint

April 10, 2024

Short outing leading to fantastic K-Lakes viewpoint, mainly done as winter / early spring snowshoe trip.  Forested north slopes pose little avalanche danger.  Mostly a route and there is no official trailhead or parking area;  use GPS track (top of page download):  Waypoint "0 - Spray Road".  Alternatively pull over at Blackshale Creek crossing ~1.5km from Peninsula Picnic area on Spray Road, then walk back ~100m watching for boot prints heading down to Smith-Dorrien creek.  On sunny weekends some cars are likely to be on the shoulder.   There is ~70m vertical loss to the creek, which must be regained on return.  Solid snow bridge in winter conditions makes creek crossing trivial, but be alert for springtime warming induced collapse.  Above the creek is the crux - climb to junction with Gypsum Mine Road (200+m vertical,  0.6km) which is also sometime used by back-country skiers.   Going then becomes comparatively easy.  Broken trail usually follows Mine Road for ~15min then after wide 180 turn heads up forested slopes to the Ridge.  Ridge crest is densely forested with no views, until last part which is super enjoyable if short.   Highest point of the Ridge is just as you exit the Forest, but continuing for ~5min leads to much better viewpoint.  Intervening Dip can be tricky if icy or covered by hard-packed snow.  When windy shelter can be found by descending briefly on east side towards treeline with arguably even better view;  I built small cairn here.   Return the same way will be twice faster than ascent, but be cautious on steep slopes below Mine Road;  on my Spring '24 trip I felt necessary to put spikes despite well broken trail with no ice.

Gallery

Gypsum Mine Road Easy going on broken trail as Gypsum Mine Road makes 180 degree turn