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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Invincible Lake - Mt. Nomad

GPS Track

Panorama from larch dotted ridge into secluded valley flanked by Hermione Peak(L),  Mt. Warspite(C) and Mt. Invincible (R).  Mt. Nomad center midground

Multiple Dates, last Oct 13, 2024

Seldom visited high alpine valley ringed by Forks and Hermione Peaks, Mt. Warspite and Mt. Invincible.  Mt. Nomad resembling a cone rising in the middle of the cirque above Invincible Lake is non-technical, but getting there is not for casual hikers that need trails. Despite being listed in Kananaskis Trail Guide, entire outing past Invincible creek bridge ~4km from Interlakes parking is still pretty much a route.   Chief difficulties are bushwhack on old forest road, followed by very steep ascent of ridge and subsequent drop into the Valley.  Area is grizzly bear haven - extra level of caution is advised.  Cirque falls in shade rather early;  early start is advised if you want sunny views, specially in rapidly dwindling Autumn daylight hours.

Cycling is allowed to Invincible Creek crossing;  this bit is also on Great Divide Trail (GDT).  Parts are fairly rocky and I don't believe taking a bike is really worth as dismounting will likely be required several times for average cyclist.  It will take about an hour of fast walking;  the adventure starts here.  Cross Invincible Creek bridge and immediately turn right   (Waypoint '1 - Invincible Creek', GPS Download Top of Page).  Follow creek upstream very shortly and find trail that is actually old overgrown forest road.  Hiking up this road is likely the crux of the day - many fallen logs you must hop over or crawl under, as well as occasional extreme bush where you must protect your eyes.  Bushwhack here after rain would be really miserable!   It is only about a km, but it will feel much longer - took me almost half an hour till I reached clearing and obvious cairn marking start of Ridge route (see Gallery,  Waypoint '2 - Invincible Trail'). 

Ridge trail is quite well defined and free of bush - but steep.  There are no switchbacks, just straight up gaining ~460 vertical in ~1.2km!  Trail becomes bit less defined higher up, but still connects all the way to ridge crest;  it will take solid hour from the bushy road.  Take a note of point where you crested the ridge as it will help find the trail on return - Waypoint '3 - Ridge').  Lots of larches around would make this fairly nice Autumn Golden Larch Trip.  Turn left and follow ridge crest for short time only to little saddle,  10min tops.  Faint trail descends diagonally into Invincible Lake drainage, but is very easy to miss - use GPS Waypoint '4 - Valley Trail'.   Trail is narrow and not hands-in-your-pockets requiring balance (hiking poles are huge help) until eventually diminishing in Invincible Lake Drainage (water).   From here going finally becomes easy.  If going just for Nomad simply ascend semi-open forest to south talus slope and scramble easily to final summit ridge leading to top of Mt. Nomad.   I prefer to visit Invincible Lake first then ascend from there.   Either way, be really vary of grizzly bears;   both times I've been here I've seen lots of diggings (but no bears).

From Nomad summit is possible to descend North Ridge then loop back around Invincible Lake.  Talus is more lose and steep, and there is one short cliff band but overall not difficult.   Exploring Top of Valley below Hermione Peak is another possibility, but this extension would add 1-2 hours to already long day - early start would be a must.   Return follows the same way across the ridge;  reaching Invincible Creek Bridge after the bushwhack will feel like a blessing.

Gallery