Gap Mountain
Trip Report
Friday afternoon found me scrambling up this short but enjoyable mountain. I thought for sure I would run into a bear given my record this year so I made plenty of noise on the lower slopes!
I wouldn't hike up through the trees because you can basically go up on a trail starting from the road (about 300m from the parking lot) that follows a ravine all the way up. At the top you have to go a bit to the left to gain the col but it's really no big deal.
If your not comfortable on loose exposed terrain don't try this peak. Also, follow Kane's advice and if you go with a group make it a really small one and make sure you're the first ones on the mountain! The views are fantastic from the top and this is absolutely worth every bit of sweat you'll produce on the way up.
It's also a nice fast objective - I only took about 3 hours to go up and down and actually wish I spent more time at the summit but I had to be back in Calgary in time.
 The route up as seen from the road. |
 Looking up the trail - notice how green and lush everything is. I really enjoyed the lower part of this mountain. |
 Another excellent view of what you can expect on the way up Gap. |
 Getting above treeline the route becomes more obvious. |
 A cliff blocks this route! |
 The crux. Don't slip here - you'll die. |
 The ridge is loose and exposed in places. |
 Vern hikes up towards the summit ridge of Gap Mountain. |
 More of the ridge. |
 Vern on the summit of Gap Mountain. |
 Panorama looking west towards the Kananaskis Lakes. |
 Looking north from the summit. |
 Hiking down from Gap Mountain. |