Mount Bryant was rated Easy in the Nugara scrambles book so I thought it would be a good one to do on my own. Dan's ankle still wasn't up to hiking up mountains so I was solo. I prefer to do these scrambles with Dan but I want to be sure to hit the 20 Peaks in 2023 goal. This one makes twelve. Still eight left to do.
I did this scramble on a Monday and did not see one other person the whole day.
The route includes four main segments. A short hike up Canyon Creek to the north fork, a long hike up the north fork, sometimes on trail, sometimes on the creek bed, another long hike up a higher creek fork to a beautiful lake and finally, the steep scramble to the summit. Photos below.
Hiking up Canyon Creek from the road. There is a trail at the beginning on the left side where you start but soon the trail ends at the creek bed and you pick your way across the rocks and gravel. Easy crossing here in July. The north fork comes out of the valley ahead on the right.
As you approach the valley where the north fork comes down, you see a yellow sign. Head for this sign. The trail up the north fork starts here.
A nice trail starts the long hike up the north fork.
In some places, you must navigate the mostly dry creek bed, making your way up rocks and gravel.
But in many places, there is a nice trail beside the creek. It crosses back and forth using whichever side has the forest and ground for a trail. If the trail ends at the creek, look around on the opposite side for another trail to start. Typically you will find one, unless the creek is in a narrow canyon where there is no where for a trail. There you must hike up the rocky creek bed.
Peaches stops for a drink at a place where the creek has a little water.
out and back
Powderface Trail where Canyon Creek crosses the road. A small parking area is on the east side of the road.
My path up to the summit and back recorded on the FATMAP app on my phone.
Note that it is possible to continue past the summit on the ridge to the left in this photo and descend a different way. I chose to go back down the way I had come up because the alternate descent seemed a bit more technical and I was on my own. There are good descriptions of the alternate descent in the Nugara book and Steven Song's website referenced below.
A Kananskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle at the trailhead. Buy one here https://conservationpass.alberta.ca/kcp
I love the Forgetmenots that grow in the alpine. The hike in to the base of the mountain was certainly a beautiful, worthwhile trip. The summit slope was a total grind. In the end, I made it back down to the creek before the rain really started. A long and tough day. Perhaps the hardest peak for me mentally so far this year.
That makes 12 peaks climbed this year and I'm still on track to make the 20 Peaks goal. I'm not sure what I'll do next. Waiting for Dan's ankle to heal, I really want to do some challenging scrambles with him.
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