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Rockies :: Yoho :: Paget Peak North Ridge

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 North Ridge from Paget Peak summit extending over several bumps to Bath Glacier viewpoint  (orange cone on right side of prominent "V" just left of center).  Mt. Niles and distant Mt. Balfour on the left

September 11, 2020

Paget Peak is easy ascent above abandoned fire lookout on north side of Kicking Horse River valley, just west of Alberta / BC Provincial Border.   Most people return after reaching 2580m summit, but as the outing is short it is well worth continuing north eventually leading to much more superb viewpoint that includes rare aerial perspective of Bath Glacier.  On return it is possible to trash down to Sherbrooke Lake (as Mike Potter advises in his Ridgewalks guide), or utilize talus bench, discovered by Bob Spirko, avoiding all the ups and downs along the ridge.  Whole outing is nothing but a steep hike with huge scenic rewards.

Parking lot is just south of Wapta Lake tourist area - watch for signs on north side (right side when coming from Lake Louise).  Note there is no access to/from eastbound lane of Trans-Canada Highway!  Thus on return you must drive down all the way to Spiral Tunnels tourist area before making U-turn.  If coming from Field at start, make U-turn to westbound lane at Wapta Lake.  Official trail starts at east end of parking lot by the gate.  Hike for ~30min to signed Sherbooke Lake junction, then take right branch for Paget Lookout.  Trail is undemanding with some unnecessarily long switchbacks, eventually topping at site of abandoned Fire Lookout and end of official trail.  Roughly half of elevation is gained by this point.  After taking in the views from strategically placed bench,  find trail continuing to Paget Peak just behind lookout building. Immediately it becomes much steeper as it rises towards large talus slope.  This slope is the "crux" -- lose and steep bits in upper part, with several "trails" eventually joining back on top. No further difficulty is encountered till  sub-summit, which is just south end of very long ridge.   This is NOT official Paget summit, although most people probably turn back right here.  Peakbaggers -- and pretty much everyone else! -- should continue for 5-10 minutes to next bump along the ridge;  it has cairn and register.  Summit is rounded with lots of space and phenomenal views;  fantastic spot for lunch.  Entire length of North Ridge is visible from here, ending at orange bump still some distance away.

If not returning right away, continue north by losing initially ~80m then regaining it to next bump.  Brief boulder field at low point does not present much problems.  Even if not going all the way it is highly recommended to get at least to this point - views are superior and you can easily drop to bench below speeding up the return.  Descent to saddle below North side ends at snowpatch that persists till late summer depending on season & can be used to replenish water supply that has been probably depleted by now.  Final ascent up cream colored rock is steepest yet, but surprisingly easy.  Boulders are stable and entire part is just a hike.  Summit had two cairns at time of my visit, but no register.  View is simply phenomenal;  rugged Canadian Rocky Mountain wilderness with many distant peaks, and main prize -- aerial view of Bath Glacier that could not be spotted until now.  Peak directly to the north is south end of long ridge, ending with Mt. Daly (Kane difficult, approached from Niles meadows seen to the left).  Before returning hike a bit along the ridge towards Daly till it becomes too rough to continue;  jagged cliffs above Bath Glacier are spectacular, but could not be appreciated fully from high point.

For return there are 3 options:  1)  Back the same way  2) Drop to Sherbrooke lake joining Niles meadows trail near north end of the lake  and 3) Talus bench below the ridge that is very straightforward and joins in Paget trail just above the talus slope below sub-summit.   I came back via third option and highly recommend it.   Sherbrooke Lake variant looked interesting but it was not possible to tell how much bushwhacking one would encounter in lower end, which is also prime grizzly bear habitat.

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