Wolverine Peak
 




 
July 9, 2023
 
Mountain height: 2703 m
Elevation gain:    1150 m
Round-trip time:  10:30
 
Scrambling with Mark.
 
Inspired by the appearance of this peak in David Jones’ awesome book Rockies West and a great trip report from Vern in 2022, we set out to attempt the somewhat obscure peak. Though relatively small in stature, it’s location near the south end of the Waputik Icefield guaranteed great scenery and terrific views.
 
We started early, hoping to beat the predicted breakdown in the weather around 2 pm. The first stop, Sherbrooke Lake, did not disappoint in the least, providing a perfect reflection of Mount Ogden in its dark, turquoise-tinged waters. Neither did the superb environs of Niles Meadow. As his first trip to the area, Mark was very impressed with both. So was I!
 
We then turned west and made our way up to the col between Wolverine and an outlier to the north. Throughout, views of Mount Niles and an unofficial peak west of Niles (sometimes called Profile Peak) were stunning. Unfortunately, Mark was severely under the weather from the get-go. I suggested we call it a day, but the amazing scenery was too much for both of us to turn away from.
 
From the col to the summit there are two potential scramble routes: the ridge or the scree ramps on the right side of the ridge. We chose a combination of the two – ridge to start and ramps to end. As Vern’s points out the ridge route has terrific exposure on the left (I would certainly avoid it if a typical Waterton wind made it this far north!) but is fairly safe on the right. Just before the summit the exposure increased on both sides and we decided to rope up. Thinking that there’s no way a mountain in this area would be completely snow-free by the second week of July we had brought some climbing equipment with us. However, recalling a shocking lack of snow on a relatively recent trip up the Dolomite Shoulder, we should have known better!  
 
Turns out the rope was unnecessary. Avoiding a few exposed steps along the ridge I dropped down a few metres to another scree ramp and, lo and behold, this led directly to the top – awesome! The only downside of the summit view was the premature arrival of that breakdown in the weather. Clouds were building - some of them threatening. Still, views of Balfour, Niles, Daly, The Presidents, Wapta, and many others were outstanding.


 
On descent we followed a route similar to the one Dan and I used when coming down from Niles, in 2021. It’s a wonderful alternative to the Niles Meadow route and boasts a heavy dose of fantastic water scenery. Round 2 of Sherbrooke Lake was as amazing as Round 1. The lake looks completely different in the late afternoon, its darker and placid, reflecting morning look replaced by vivid and vibrant turquoise hues.
 
What a great trip! Hats off to Mark for completing a long route in very ill health and shout-out to Mr. Jones and Mr. Dewit for bringing Wolverine Peak to our attention.  



Sherbrooke Lake - morning views are typically stunning due to the fantastic reflection of Mount Ogden and the unique hues of the water



Same as above



Cathedral Crags



Mount Niles looks incredible throughout most of the trip



Reflection only of Mount Ogden's summit



View from the north end of the lake



The first of many cascades seen throughout the day



Profile Peak makes its first appearance



Crossing Sherbrooke Creek for the first time



The pleasant valley above Sherbrooke Lake is great but pales in comparison to Niles Meadow



First glimpse of the objective



Another crossing, but the bridge has seen better days!


  
Fantastic distraction en route to Niles Meadow



And another



Entering Niles Meadow



Crossing Niles Meadow



Heading up the drainage



Sweet rock



Wildflowers season is upon us



So is awesome drainage season!



What is Mark looking at?



This. Wolverine Peak at the left and Profile at the right



Heading towards the col between Wolverine (left) and the outlier to the north (right)




The outlier



The outlier, Profile, and Niles



Profile - too bad there wasn't an easy route up that one. David Jones describes a low 5th class route up the east ridge (right side).



Last bit of colourful vegetation for a while



The west side of Profile is very dramatic



Snow! That's more like it!



We took advantage of the remaining snow, though it was depressing how little of it there was for this location in early July



Same as above



Glimpse over to some of Wolverine's north ridge



Mount Balfour peaks over the outlier/Profile col



Wolverine's north ridge



Mark arrives at the Wolverine/outlier col



Starting up the terrific north ridge



Mount Wapta



Mark on the ridge



The ridge quickly gets interesting



Awesome drop down the left side



Close-up of Wapta



4 Peaks in one: Michael, Angle, The Vice President, and The President



Mount Carnarvon at the left and Michael Peak, just right of centre in the foreground



The outlier, Profile, and Niles make a nice trio



Cool cloud forming above the outlier



Another awesome and almost vertical slab



Looking down the slab







Glaciated Mount McArthur, with Isolated Peak to its right







Closer look at The VP, The P, and the dying Emerald Glacier



Balfour is looking grand



Summit is a short distance away. We took the scree ramp on the right side.



Summit view



Cathedral Mountain - 2 very memorable trips on that one: 1, 2



Mount Stephen - someday



Mount Ogden is connected to Wolverine. Unfortunately, the traverse over there is way beyond scrambling.



Niles and Daly



Mont des Poilus - awesome but exhausting day



Mount Collie



Mark at the summit



Great view to the south and southwest



Preparing to descend



Mark is not trying to hold the rock up - using your hands just makes walking down easier!



Descending one of the scree ramps



Returning to the ridge



Back on the snow



 Leaving Profile and Niles behind



Following a secondary stream



The stream and Profile



Checking out a cool snow bridge that was paper-thin in some sections



My view



Mark's view



Another satisfying round of cascade and waterfall scenery


  
















Continuing down the stream























Back to the meadow above Sherbrooke Lake



Mark glances back at Niles



The first cascade again



Sherbrooke Lake looks so different 9 hours later. Interesting to see reflections in the north part of the lake but none past the log jam.

There must be a ton of silt in the water for it to take on this colour



Same as above



Back at the parking lot and a nice view of Wapta Lake, Narao Peak, and Mount Victoria

The End

LOG