Hiking Mt. Ernest Ross

Clearwater County, Alberta

Description

Distance: 17.6 km (11 miles) roundtrip. Elevation gain: 2454 m (8051 ft). Duration: full day. Moderate hike with saddle scramble to the Twin Peaks. Amazing views of the Kootney Plains.

Clearly visible from the highway, the Twin Peaks of Ernest Ross get their namesake from the man who first drove a 1930 Ford Roadster between Rocky Mountain House and Saskatchewan River Crossing.

After a 5 minute walk along the north bank of Bridge Creek, the hike begins to pick up elevation. A stretch of steep, forested hiking will bring you to the first ridge crest, where you have a wide-open view of the ridge that you will follow to the Twin Peaks.

About 2/3rds of the way up, there is an open area with great views of the surrounding peaks, Kootney Plains, and Abraham Lake, to the east. The Twin Peaks come into view, and you can finally get a look at the gully scramble section to the summit.

After a short, exposed scramble, you will arrive at the first summit, with amazing views of Elliot Peak, Abraham Lake, and the Kootney Plains, to the south. If you're feeling daring, you can also climb the saddle to the second summit – it is debated which is the true summit, so you can decide!

Getting there: Follow David Thompson Highway 11 for 147 km (91 miles) west of Rocky Mountain House. Just past the end of Abraham Lake, you will approach the Kootney Plains. The trailhead is located at a small pull-off for Bridge Creek – you will see a well-defined trail to the north. Its GPS coordinates are: 52.078238, -116.420145.

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