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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Red Ridge via Sparrowhawk Tarns

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Red Ridge from Sparrowhawk Tarns Trail; Mt. Bogart left center distance

July 2, 2015

Red Ridge is unofficially named ridge rising south of Sparrowhawk creek valley.  It is best seen on alternate descent from Read's Tower (cover photo).  Both Read' s Tower and Red Ridge are described in Mike Potter's "Ridgewalks in the Canadian Rockies" guidebook (4 hrs trail, 8 hrs off-trail). While day trip is feasible, due to total amount of elevation gain, numerous ups-and-downs, loose talus slopes and route-finding problems it is better to split it in two.  Red ridge is also popular snowshoe trip in winter by heading up directly from Hwy 742 (Smith-Dorrien). Full loop (not feasible in winter) is recommended option as it includes visit to very pictoresque set of tarns below Mt. Bogart west ridge.  Direction presented here heads to Sparrowhawk tarns first, but opposite might be preferable due to route-finding problems in lower part of the ridge, as well as steep talus slope above tarns bowl that are easier to descend than ascend.

Park at Sparrowhawk day use and follow well-defined and cleared Tarns trail to upper valley. Trail disappears as it approaches bowl below Mt. Bogart west ridge, but way is obvious.  This section is simply delightful; open terrain with rock garden, soft mossy grass and awesome views north to Mt. Sparrowhawk and Read's Tower.  Tarns are further away than you'd expect and there are 3 terraces separated by easy rock steps. There is no official campground, but it would be lovely to bivi here.  From upper tarn large scree fan is obvious; ascend about halfway (bits of trail in places), then turn right and traverse diagonally on good scree to the col below east outlier of Red ridge.  This ascent is easier than it might appear from below. It is also key why full loop is not feasible in winter conditions, as it would be avalanche prone.

There is no trail along the ridge. Going is easy initially, but 15 minutes or so after the highpoint comes the "big step" - significant drop on very lose talus, followed by rock scramble on the other side. This part is not a cakewalk and at times feels more like a moderate scramble.  Past this rotten section, conditions ease but ordeal is not over. Couple more of ups-and-downs on lose talus, followed by long descent on crunchy plates.  In the middle of this field is humongous pyramid-shaped cairn; it is very confusing and does not signify anything. It is unclear where to drop off the ridge; various guidebooks talk of trail descending to drainage on skier left near treeline, but it is not easy to find.  Do NOT angle left before treeline under any circumstances as boulder field is very loose and utterly uncomfortable.  Best might be to simply trash to Smith Dorrien in most direct line. If angling left at treeline, couple of game trails along with blue flagging exist, but they soon disappear and you will have to trash anyways.  Final bit is 15 min or so road walk back to the parking, depending where you emerged from the forest.  If ascending this way regardless of season, it is best to just get your bearings and make a beeline to treeline.

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