Words CANNOT describe the VIEWS, Smutwood Peak Hike.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2023
- September 25/2023 Summer Hike, Alberta Canada
Today we are in Kananaskis Country, Alberta Canada and we will be hiking up to Smutwood Peak, I should say almost the peak. This one was not an easy hike. Once we reached the Col the winds were relentless. But the stunning views definitely made up for it. In order to do this trail justice, I have broken this hike into 2 videos. In this video we hike from kilometer 6.5 (mile 4) to kilometer 8.7 (mile 5.4). The views just kept on getting better and better. The total hike is 17.4 kilometers (10.8 miles) out and back with an elevation gain of 901 meters (2960 feet).
The trailhead is located off the Smith Dorrien Trail. This gravel road can be in really rough shape at times. There is a pretty good size parking lot at the trailhead. Today I will be hiking with my friend Corey. We started the hike at 920AM, and the temperature was 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit). We completed the hike at 920PM, exactly 12 hours on the trail.
After a quick rest we continued making our way through the Larch Trees. As we climbed the trail got steeper and steeper once again. Once we cleared the tree line, we had spectacular views looking back down the valley. The trail will ease up a little bit once you hit the rocky scree section. It was 7.3k (4.5 miles) to the Col. We were greeted with absolutely stunning views of one of the lakes, our first glimpse of Smutwood Peak and gale force winds. We now knew that it was going to be a mission to get to the summit with the winds we were facing. The trail now eases up, but you are side hilling it, and it is quite a steep drop on your right. Soon we got a view of the second lake with beautiful Larch Trees everywhere between the lakes and Smutwood Peak towering above it. At 7.8k (4.9 miles) the trail levels off and you will want to take a left here to get views overlooking another valley with a couple of glaciers above it. We found a spot to have our lunch and beer shielded behind some Larch Trees. Now it was time to bundle up to protect us from the wind. From here the trail will get steep again. Now the views become more and more stunning with the two lakes below you and Mount Smuts behind it. Behind you the views just get better looking back at Mount Birdwood. Soon you will find yourself climbing up some very steep rock sections and a little scrambling is required. At 8.1k (5 miles) you will reach a nice viewpoint. As you work your way up the ridge you will now get views of another valley to your left. The trail will now take you to the backside of Smutwood and there is no spot to hide from the wind. Now you will have a steep drop off on your left as you work your way up the rocky trail. At 8.7k (5.4 Miles) we reached a Col just below the last section up to the summit. Our elevation was 2576 meters (8450 feet). Here is where we called it. The winds were just too strong, and we knew already that we would be getting back to the car in the dark. I can’t describe how beautiful the views were. We didn’t stay here very long before heading back down. We worked our way back down to the area where we had lunch and took another break. Just as we were arriving at the meadow the sun had set. We hiked the last 4 kilometers back to the car in the dark with our headlamps.
This hike was an awesome adventure and I highly recommend it. Be prepared though, it is not an easy hike. I am definitely going back next year to bag that summit.
This is my 129th video. Thank you very much for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up. If you would like to see my other hiking videos, subscribe to my channel, LIVE ON ALBERTA. I feature over 125 hiking videos. CHEERS
Thank you,
Cary Mason
#hikingalberta #canadianrockies #travelalberta #hiking
Email - liveonalberta@gmail.com
Instagram - / carywmason
OK that was WAYYYYY to much up :-) amazing video and views but so far out of my comfort zone, I will stick to the trails at the bottom although those 2 lakes looked like quite the place to explore. A wise choice to get out of the wind, I dont often do the high stuff but have had some bad experiences with very strong winds so im now firmly a tree dweller.
Ya I pushed the limits here a bit, where we stopped we couldn't even stand up, for fear of getting blown off the cliff. Next time I go it better not be windy🤣🤣🤣
@@LIVEONALBERTA Yes high wind is dangerous for sure, wind ridge, nihahi ridge, top end of Galatea lakes all places where I got caught in winds that seemed to come from no where. Up near fossil falls I had to take my pack off put it on backwards so it was hanging under me and pretty much crawl on hands and knees until I got out of the wind. that was crazy scary. there was no way I could stand up. never doing that again, so now I stay in the trees or very close to them .Hope you guys make it up there next time but I will just watch your video and stay firmly at the base of the mountains.
@davebloggs Ya those winds can be scary
I was there 2 years ago, one of the best hikes with truly scenic views 🎉
I am so sad we didn't get to the top, but being safe is always a better option😁
Cheers from okanagan valley british columbia 🇨🇦
Cheers Rick, hope you enjoyed the video😁
Incredible views 🤩 thanks for sharing and motivating to come to Alberta😁
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. We have so many beautiful places here😁
I think this might be the pinnacle in K Country for sure !!
I have done a lot of hikes in K Country but this one takes the cake so far😁 Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
@@LIVEONALBERTA thanks to your videos we can learn a lot of what to expect. More angle on the treadmill it is!!!
I will keep them coming😁
Did an overnighter at the point campsite June 18/23 crossing the dam the wind and the blowing snow was tearing our rain ponchos thought we must be nuts but we continued anyway.
Ya that wind can be crazy there right at the dam😢😢😢
NOPE.
The wind really came for you, huh? Glad you didn't blow away!
Ya this hike is not for everyone. It pushed me to the limit. I have never been in winds that strong when hiking. We were literally scared to stand up close to the edge fearing the wind would take us right off the cliff😥😥😥
Hi! I plan to hike smutwood peak somewhere in july-august , do you have any suggestions on hiking gloves, backpacks, and how to survive this trail overall? Thank you!
I would suggest hiking it in August rather than July. Could still be snow up there in sections in July. I use mechanics gloves when I am scrambling. I have a 40l pack that I use on most of my hikes. When we did it in Sept I have a down puffy and with a shell over it, as that wind near the top was crazy cold. I also had winter gloves and a tooque. We were slow hiking this trail as we came down in the dark. The earlier you start the better. I had 2 litres of water which was good. You can also top up your water when walking through the valley, take a filter. The trail in the valley could also be really muddy, so plan for that. Poles were awesome coming down. And maybe have some cleats with you. If the trail is wet when you start the climb it will be very slick, so cleats will give you traction going up and down. have layers with you and plan for possibly a 4 season hike. The weather radically changed on us from the start to the end😁