The full Mt. The hiking route through scree begins easy enough and its easy to get overconfident as you follow the blue markers along a well-established trail. Mt. There are a few sport routes but most have trad gear requirements. You can order your own Gem Trek maps before your visit to Banff, or you can pick them up here as they are widely available. Theres plenty of flat rocks to sit on and soak in the views. Despite its official name of Mount John Laurie, the popular name for this mountain remains Mount Yamnuska. Photo: Canmore Runner. Overview Yamnuska or (Mt. You cannot order bear spray by mail, but you can buy a canister at many locations in Canmore and Banff. This majestic 11'000 foot peak along the Icefields Parkway is an incredible. This fault, recognized in 1887 by R.G. Alan Kane's Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies List Created by Oleg T.(List showing Oleg's ascents)Showing Nick Rudolph's first ascent dates for climbed peaks (6 out of 113, or 5.31%) T-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more, designed and sold by independent artists around the world. They are exceptional 3D topographic maps which we love looking at for hiking inspiration. There are spots along this trail which have significant drop-offs. If you regularly hike as a family and are visiting Banff with kids, you will find the hike to Ravens End is a challenging, yet very rewarding family hike. Yamnuska Summit (2,240 metres) is a fun, intermediate-level scramble that should only be attempted in the counterclockwise direction in dry conditions (it's possible to ascend from the west and avoid the chains and more difficult sections, but it's a scree bash). To find the Mount Yamnuska trailhead simply walk to the far end of the parking lot. This will be your first glimpse of what the challenging scree hike to the summit will entail. Please take this risk seriously as. Difficulty Notes: Since a chain has been installed this is much easier than when I did it. Its a 60 minute drive from Calgary to Mt. Hector, and I do not expect to see anything which will excel itThere was nothing visible but the unbroken wilderness of ice and snow and crag, an ocean without shores whose waves were mountain ranges. During this guided climbing trip, youll enjoy a slightly more modern view of the breathtaking peaks, valleys, and icefields that surround you. Yamnuska where the trees end and the alpine zone begins. At the chains, the route meets a cliff-face and becomes impossible to continue hiking. 11 hr 14 min to summit. After taking a well-deserved break at the Mount Yamnuska summit, its time to begin your descent. 500 m later, youll encounter a junction for CMC Valley an unmaintained trail which descends into the valley on the north side of Yamnuska. Its a fun trail with many twists and turns through a beautiful forest. Yamnuska translates to "wall of stone" [4] and is derived from the Stoney Nakoda word Iyamnathka that describes steep cliffs or "the flat faced mountain." John Lee Laurie, 1899-1959, was a founder of the Indian Association of Alberta. The steep south face of this mountain is over a kilometre and a half long and 330 metres tall at its highest point. ), Are you good at route finding? Theres also an excellent viewpoint looking south which showcases just how high youve climbed. The trailhead is right next to the large trail sign. This climb takes about 10 12 hours, so please come prepared for a full day out in the mountains with lots of snacks, a lunch, and appropriate clothing and, The initial approach will take us through creek beds, woods, and into the open slopes before hitting the peaks North Glacier. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers a wide range of ice climbing instruction and guiding for people of all skill levels. If you need to stop for a break, look behind you for a glimpse of Ravens End below you. Start here! A great teller of legends, he created not a few himself. Yamnuska has wonderful views and this is a great hiking trail. We ended the trip with summiting Yamnuska from the Yam/Goat col. Its a genuine thrill and gives non-mountaineers a taste of what mountaineering must be like. Bow River Loop via Yamnuska Natural Area Trails. Total Trip Distance (km): 8. Mount Yamnuska via Goat Mountain Route and Door Jamb and Loder Peak Trail. Mount Yamnuska is also a . Yamnuska hiking trail to the summit is challenging, but it seems to be within the capabilities of most regular hikers. Youll find a large boulder with a flat top, which makes for a fun picture with a great view in the background. Standing on the summit you will be following in the footsteps of some of the Canadian Rockies most famous mountaineers: Charles Fay, Charles Thompson, and Philip Abbot. Yamnuska trail upgrades done by Alberta Parks in 2021. As you take your final steps toward the summit of Mount Yamnuska, it seems you can suddenly see the entire Canadian Rockies ahead of you. 9 Mountains & Rocks. Head north on 1X to Highway 1A. Weve promised ourselves to come back in fall to see the fall colors along this stretch of the West Col Trail. Abbott wrote about the ascent in. Those doing the Mount Yamnuska hike will take the hiking trail to the right while rock climbers go left. A great improvement by Alberta Parks! Log in, Avalanche Skills Training 1 Canmore/Calgary, AST 1 (Classroom Webinar/Rockies Field Day), Avalanche Skills Training 1 for Ice Climbers, Avalanche Skills Training 2 Canadian Rockies, Avalanche Skills Training 2 Rogers Pass, Avalanche Skills Training 2 Purcell Lodge, Intro to Alpine Ice at the Columbia Icefields, Navigation 1 (Back to Basics with Map & Compass), Navigation 2 (Digital Trip Planning & Electronic Navigation), Instructional Backcountry Skiing & Boarding, Intro to Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding, Signature Series Splitboarding Camp with Justin Lamoureux, Crevasse Rescue for Skiers & Splitboarders, Rock Climbing Level 1 Outdoor Rock Intro, Rock Climbing Level 3 Multi-Pitch Climbing Course, Rock Climbing Level 5 Rock Rescue & Advanced Ropework, Ice Climbing Level 2 Top Rope Management, Ice Climbing Level 4 Multi-Pitch Ice Leader, Signature Series Ice Climbing with Sean Isaac, Private Multipitch & Instructional Ice Climbing, Along the Icefields Parkway, just north of Lake Louise, Mount Hector was the second Canadian Rockies 11,000-foot peak to be climbed in 1895. Prices and download plans . Given its such a popular spot to stop, this area is frequented by squirrels and chipmunks please do not feed them, no matter how cute they are. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. We consistently get superb feedback from our students. Before long, youll encounter another Alberta Parks sign which details the proper scramble route for the Yamnuska summit hike, Take a moment to learn where the no-go sections are and why the West Col is the safest way down. Mount Yamnuska (officially known as Mount John Laurie) is one of the most popular hikes in Kananaskis Country. (Do you have clothing / supplies for quickly changing mountain weather. The cliff is home to traditional climbing in the Canadian Rockies so expect a little adventure on most routes. Yamnuska parking lot, but not up on the mountain. The Alberta Parks press release said: Please be advised that Alberta Parks is closing Yamnuska / y Mnathka this summer from the end of May to November. A spectacular day! Harness Ski Randonee harness is strongly suggested to cut back on both weight and bulk. Before the West Col trail meets up with the main trail back to the parking lot, youll pass through an incredibly deep and beautiful aspen forest. How long is the Wapta traverse? Length 8.9 kmElevation gain 915 mRoute type Circular Yamnuska translates to wall of stone, which describes the dramatic cliff face of this prominent Kananaskis mountain. Long underwear top and bottoms (lightweight synthetic or wool), Softshell pants (nylon blend, lightly insulated), Socks ski socks (wool or synthetic), several sets, Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts, Calgary: Mountain Equipment Co-op. The Yamnuska trail map is found in the Canmore & Kananaskis Village map. The West Col trail is the recommended route down. Indeed, Yamnuska is the Stoney Nakoda word for "wall of stone". Summit Elevation (m): 2785. Yamnuska than any other mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Everest Base Camp (Himalaya) - 14 days - Boena i Jacek Maciaszyczyk, April 2013 (no guides or porters) - photos; El Camino (Spain) - 11 days - Witek Kurpiski, Piotr Rajski, September 2010, 165.5 km; Alta Via 1 After 500 m of steep downhill hiking from the summit, youll arrive at the West Col. (A col is the lowest point between two mountain peaks, usually affording passage). The Mount Yamnuska trailhead is located at the very eastern edge of the Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country. This section of trail can be characterized as steep, slippery scree, with some spots that are straight up the mountain. The undergrowth is a mixture of small shrubs and tall grasses, which is a nice change from the typical moss carpets you find elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies. We dont usually hike with poles, but we were happy to each have a hiking pole here for added stability. But the last 200 metres of elevation gain (25% of hike) is seriously dangerous loose scree steep path . Hiking boots with good grips will come in real handy here. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures Located in Canmore, Alberta at the Banff National Park gates, we are a premier provider of mountaineering, ice climbing, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, avalanche training, and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 45 min to complete. The dramatic vertical rock face of Mount Yamnuska comes into view when the trail turns westward at 1.8 km. It is signed "Yamnuska." The Yamnuska hike is more challenging than many. Mountaineering crampons should have anti-snow-balling, need to be compatible with your boots. We are Dan and Celine Brewer, the proud owners of Travel Banff Canada. Getting There Back side of Yamnuska in May 2006 From Calgary take the Trans-Canada Highway. Hiking to Mt. If the parking lot is full, do not park on Highway 1A. Before proceeding, take a moment to reconsider the safety questions if you are at all unsure, this would be the point to turn back. The Mount Yamnuska trail is very easy to follow and is well marked, especially after the recent Alberta Parks trail upgrades. The aspen trees along this section of the Mount Yamnuska trail are so beautiful in the fall. 1 Lightweight Pear Shape Locking Munter Carabiner, 2 x 6mm x 5 m Cordelette/Accessory Cord minimum breaking strength 10KN, 1 x 120cm Sewn Sling (double length sling). Nearby Hiking Trails. The East Ridge Trail to Ravens End begins on a nice, easy 2-wide crushed gravel hiking trail through s mixed forest of pines and aspen trees. Website: He was 82. Mount Athabasca is located at the eastern edge of the Columbia Icefields on the ridge between the Athabasca and Saskatchewan Glaciers. Our guides are enthusiastic and extremely talented. Watch for a viewpoint sign and follow the spur trail into the trees. . If, after considering the Alberta Parks safety questions, you have decided to continue your hike up Yamnuska, then simply walk through a small scree field to a large crack in the massive cliff face this feature is called, The Chimney. DIFFICULT 7.6 mi. Vertical. We own the entire set of these excellent Banff and Kananaskis hiking maps. In the past, the hike to the summit of Mount Yamnuska was a choose your own adventure. Just beyond the rock steps youll encounter an important trail junction. Kananaskis Country is bear country. If you are not physically prepared or comfortable with whats in front of you at any time, swallow your pride and have the courage to turn back). . Getting to the Mount Yamnuska Trailhead Drive the Trans-Canada Highway west to Exit 114 signed to Seebee. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 48 min to complete. Quick 'n Dirty Rating: Class 3 - you fall, you break something. The Mount Yamnuska trailhead is located at the very eastern edge of the Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country. The likely reason for this is that people overestimate their skills and preparedness and underestimate the difficulty of this scramble to the peak. A paper map isnt required for this well-marked Kananaskis trail, but if you prefer to hike with a paper map and compass as an additional safety layer, we highly recommend Gem Trek hiking maps. Headquarters: 50 Lincoln Park Ste 200, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 3E9, Canada. Despite some. Snow will be present in winter and spring, making the trail slippery and much more dangerous - even for more experienced hikers. First aid items (Our guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired. As mentioned above, there are more rescues on Mt. 200 - 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W 3E9 Toll Free North America: 1.866.678.4164 Phone: 403.678.4164 Fax: 403.678.4450 Email: info@yamnuska.com our professional guides Dave Stark. If you are hiking to Ravens End, the big, flat rocks along the ridge portions of the trail make for an excellent place for a break. While you will not see larch trees on the Mount Yamnuska trail, the aspen trees on the lower slopes turn a beautiful golden color. That makes it a major attraction for rock climbers, but hikers can also make their way to the summit by following a series of moderate trails located on the back (north) side of Yamnuska. Personally, I think the chimney is one of the most fun spots on the entire Mt. If you are hiking in a group, give plenty of space between hikers as the lead hikers may accidentally send large rocks downwards towards you. 2,357 m max. 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