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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Old Goat Glacier

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Panoramic view from 1.5km long Moraine Ridge leading to top of Old Goat Valley;  Glacier to the right

June 25, 2021

Where do you hike during heat wave?  Glacier, of course!  During record high temperatures in late June '21 this secluded glacial valley below Old Goat Mountain west of Spray Lakes had temperature at least 10 degrees lower than valley floor.  In addition, scenery is simply spectacular and offers one of best effort:reward ratios in K-country.  Hike is less frequented from more popular nearby objectives, so likely solitude is added bonus - on my trip I saw only couple of guys with dogs messing around the waterfall, nobody in upper valley.   Trip is listed in Daffern K-country guidebook and it unfolds pretty much as described. From photography perspective first part of the day is far better than afternoon as sun dips behind cliffs of Old Goat Mountain fairly early leaving valley in shade.

Trailhead is at Spray Lakes campground ~half a km past the gate (if closed, park by the road & proceed on foot for about 10 minutes). Obvious quarry on right (west) side by defunct water pump is the parking. This is Daffern "start 1";  I did not investigate "start 2".   Trail rises steeply then drops towards the creek which is followed for ~2km to head of lower valley.  Trail is rooty but great delight to hike - fresh water gurgling nearby all the way.  After 30-40min trail exits to base of headwall separating lower and upper valleys.  Waterfall cascades draining "hidden" lake above are as spectacular if not more than better known Petain Falls.  After dinner hike to base of waterfall is great leg stretcher for campers.  Trail crosses rubble (flags, cairn) towards talus slope on the left side.  This is grunt of the day and ascent is longer than expected. Good trail exists most of the way;  in lower part it switchbacks through large boulder field, then crosses to edge of forest in upper part.  There are couple of peeling rock bands here that might call for brief use of hands.  Intriguing cave in rock wall to the left draws attention, but access appears technical.  Topping up side trail branches to the right - this is where you'd go for "Hidden" lake; save it for return perhaps.  Upper glacial valley now lies in front of you; in center is 1.5km long terminal moraine leading to Old Goat Glacier viewpoint.  Cross the gulch (snow possible till late in season), then follow trail beaten in scree that stays mostly on the crest.  Going is mainly easy, couple of sections are bit narrow but not exposed.  Obvious cairn at end of ridge in upper valley is the turnaround point.

If visiting "Hidden" Lake, it might be possible to trash down on skier right of Waterfall;   I did not investigate this option in person, but looking from below there was enough vegetation to make this shortcut feasible;  expect lots of veggie belays though.

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