Middle Kootenay Mountain III
Little Middle
Kootenay Peak II
August 14, 2023
Mountain heights: 2512 m, 2280 m
Elevation gain: approximately 1300 m
Round-trip time: 7:45
Scrambling with
Doug Robson.
I was delighted
to receive a trip request from Doug Robson. Doug had been tearing it up all
summer, completing an impressive number of challenging ascents. Obviously, this
man was an accomplished scrambler and very fit. I was also excited for a third
run up Middle Kootenay Mountain, with the option to link it to its northeast
outlier, Little Middle Kootenay Peak.
To make things
even better, Doug, like me, had an ebike….and the weather was forecast to be
stellar. This trip had all the makings of an awesome day out and that’s exactly
how it turned out!
We biked about
5 km to the open area, where the trail gets much stepper and much rockier, and
ditched our bikes. There are individuals who bike all the way to Middle
Kootenay Pass from here and I tip my hat to them – not an easy ride up or
down! 
Just before reaching the pass, we left the trail and started up towards the
first of several highpoints that make up Middle Kootenay Mountain. I was immediately
impressed by Doug’s desire to tackle more challenging routes, even though
easier ones were available. As well, I thoroughly enjoyed our conservation and
was super happy that Doug could hike up steep slopes and still have the energy
to talk – a skill that escapes me more and more these days!
The ascent of
Middle Kootenay went extremely well, Doug taking the lead for most of it and
teaching me a few things along the way. Second to Doug’s engaging company, the
highlight of the trip for me was the traverse down and up to Little Middle
Kootenay – a little route-finding, interesting terrain, amazing rock, a good
dose of sun-bleached dead trees, great views throughout (except at the summit!)
made for a most enjoyable side-trip. The summit view is unfortunately obscured
a little by trees, but open views await on either side.
For descent we
went right down the other side of Little Middle and directly back to the trail,
avoiding the bush completely. I thought the exhilarating bike ride down would
be the highlight of the latter half of the trip, but it was not. Waiting for us
in his car, Doug had a couple of cool, 0% alcohol beers, and two super
comfortable fold-up chairs. We sat in the parking lot, enjoying the drink, the
Sun, and some great conversation – kinda’ felt like the end of this classic
movie scene (but without the prison element!).
What an awesome
day! Scrambling with Doug and getting to know him was fantastic, and the trip
itself amazing. I hope I get to share a few more summits with Mr. Robson!
Doug hikes up the Middle Kootenay Pass Trail
The point where we left the trail, aiming for the first of several highpoints along the ridge
Typical terrain
Doug is enjoying the good footing and great views (as am I!)
Cool photo by Doug. Can't decide if the tree caught the rock or the rock split the tree! (photo by Doug)
The first rock band we need to ascend or circumvent
I went to far end to see the view and if there was a route up. No route, but great view!
The false summit of Middle Kootenay at the left and Mount Haig, just right of centre.
Close-up of the false summit
After easily ascending the rock band, Doug continues up to the first highpoint
The view from the first highpoint includes, from left to right: Krowicki Peak, Mount Miles, Middle Kootenay Mountain, and Mount Haig
Interesting section of white rock
Doug looks back at the first highpoint and surrounding mountains
More fascinating white rock
Doug ascends another small step
The true summit of Middle Kootenay right of centre
The view behind is full of cool peaks
At the false summit looking to the true summit
Pointing out the mountains ("Sapper Peak" and St. Eloi SW1) Dave McMurray were on less than 24 hours earlier (photo by Doug)
Doug starts the traverse down and then up to the true summit
Same as above
Steep rock bands and a huge drop down the right side of the ridge are encountered immediately
Circumventing one of the steeper bands
Heading back to the ridge
Back on the ridge and heading for another drop off
Below that one
There are sections of wonderfully fine scree (almost sand-like) on this mountain that make descending some of it a dream
Looking back at the false summit
There are a few rock bands on the other side to ascend
Doug is up the first one
The highest peaks in Waterton and Glacier National Park in the
distance. Mount Blakiston (Waterton) at the left and Mount Cleveland
(GNP) at the right. The much smaller but still cool peak in front is Three Lakes Ridge.
Tombstone Mountain looks awesome from this vantage point!
Summit view. The peak in the middle is Boot Hill.
Doug settles down to enjoy the view
Miles and Krowicki at the left and the slightly lower summit of Middle Kootenay at the right
Doug knows how to relax and take in the view
I don't and am now heading to the lower summit!
A cool rock band interrupts the ridge connecting the two closely spaced summits
Almost there
Of course I get distracted by the colourful rock
And again!
The lower summit has a cairn too
View to the south and southwest
View to the south and southeast
View to the north and northwest
Castle Peak and Windsor Mountain in the distance. The peak in front is the north outlier of Rainy Ridge.
Rainy Ridge - always a treat to be on that mountain
Jake Smith Peak (distant left) and Scarpe Mountain (distant right) - both are fantastic, but lengthy ascents
Heading back to the true summit
More lichen-covered white rock
Talk about blending into your environment! Spot the ptarmigan.
Heading back to the false summit
Doug picked a briefly exposed route up the first rock band
There he goes
The next one had to be circumvented
The view back to the summit is such a beautiful one
And speaking of NOT beautiful! The cairn at the false summit was covered in flying ants!
Looking down to Little Middle Kootenay Peak in the foreground. What an
awkward name! Who's the mouthpiece who unofficially named that??
One big rock band to get past
I know a mouthpiece when I see one! (photo by Doug)
Views towards Mount Haig are going to be featured throughout the traverse to LMKP (that's easier!)
Like that one
The awesome length of Barnaby Ridge (including Southfork Mountain at the north end) sits behind LMKP. Spot Doug on the ridge, far below - he's very fast!
Caught up to him, but only because he stopped!
The views continue to impress
Same as above
A particularly striking conglomeration of rock
As stated, Doug knows how to relax. As also stated (implied), Doug had
lots of time to relax, waiting for my slow butt to catch up!
Dead trees and Windsor Ridge in the distance (the ridge that's home to Castle and Windsor)
Now following the scenic ridge up to the summit
The route to the top features sporadic sun-bleached trees
Looking back up to the false summit
More trees and fun ridgewalking
Same as above
Summit in sight
Tombstone is back in the view
The summit block is made up of lichen-covered boulders
Tombstone is really back in the view!! Best Jaws tribute in the Rockies! Cue John Williams awesome theme - for those who love classical music, a little Dvorák and lots of Stravinsky in there.
At the treed summit. There are views but not as good as before you reach the top and after you leave.
Doug checks out the summit register
Rainy Ridge and Three Lakes Ridge again
Tombstone and Boot Hill again
Last good look at Haig
Heading down. This descent route is easy on the eyes and super easy on the knees.
The north outlier of Rainy looks quite impressive from this angle
Fall colours are already starting to appear
Same as above
And again
Down in the drainage that leads easily back to the trail (visible near the centre right)
Back at the clearing where we left the bikes. Exhilarating bike ride back to the beers!
Back at the Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Unfortunately, I didn't get a
shot of Doug and I recreating the Shawshank scene, but it was sweet!
The End
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