Catherine Barclay Mountain II




    




 
January 27, 2025
 
Mountain height: 2240 m
Elevation gain:    940 m
Ascent time:        3:40
Descent time:      2:40
 
Solo scramble. 
 
Mark and I stood atop this unofficial peak for the first time 21 years earlier, after traversing over to it from Mary Barclay’s Mountain. More recently, in 2024, Ephraim Roberts had ascended the peak from Heart Creek; and since then, the route had gained some popularity as a good alternative to the “normal” route, which involves either a chilly crossing of the Kananaskis River or a long approach via Stoney Trail. Excited to check out this new route and to revisit the summit, I set out to give it a go.
 
While Heart Creek certainly has some very cool points of interest, between those lie several long and less inspiring sections. Fortunately, travel was made a little easier by a barrage of footprints in the snow and ice. The real work began once I left the creek. I did start out following a single set of tracks but lost them a short distance up. This section was consistently steep.
 
Once treeline was reached, the views started to open up, though still limited to the confines of Heart Creek. This route waits until the bitter end to fully reveal any 360-degree panoramas. The ascent itself was without difficulty, amounting to a steep rubble hike, with a few moves of very easy scrambling. 
 
I’d like to say that reaching the top was wonderfully nostalgic, however, the 21 years between ascents pretty much killed any recollection of my first trip – it really felt like the first time. The summit view was very respectable for the peak of such low stature. Traversing over to Mary Barclay would have been great, however, I needed to back in Calgary by late afternoon and would have to settle for a short summit stay and then an easy, but still longish descent. I did have time to check out a super cool small canyon in Heart Creek, however.
 
A very satisfying day out and certainly a route I’m glad I completed - big "thank you" to Ephraim.


Heart Mountain and frozen Heart Creek



One of the interpretive signs seems to be part of the creek



Two beautiful frozen waterfalls



Looking down the waterfall at the end of the Heart Creek Interpretive Trail



The entrance to the small canyon I explored on descent. I didn't try to crawl up the trees into the canyon.



Discoloured ice



Part of the interesting ridge between Catherine Barclay and Heart Mountain



More interest in the creek



The west side of Heart Mountain has many cool features



Approaching the point near the end of Heart Creek where it forks. Left fork for Catherine Barclay. 



Typical terrain on the lower slopes. It's steeper than it appears.



Looking back down Heart Creek



The trio of Skogan, Gilligan, and McGillivray



Same as above with more



Above treeline with the summit just left of centre



A formidable obstacle on the ridge between Catherine Barclay and Skogan Peak



Big, lone tree



That same tree from above, finding the Sun



The aforementioned terrain between Catherine and Heart



And the formidable obstacle again



Closer look at the fascinating slabs



A less fascinating view of the terrain ahead



Kane calls these the Twin Towers, but the name Jewell Peak (for the right one) seems to be rising in popularity



All rubble but it is not the ankle-jarring type



Decent rock for a final few steps to the top



Glimpse of Barrier Lake and part of the connecting ridge to the Towers



Pano just before reaching the summit



Summit cairn



The ridge to the south and southeast that leads to Mary Barclay (left)



The ridge to the Twin Towers looks super cool


Summit panos


















Closer look at Mary Barclay (left)



Distant mountains include Fisher Peak, The Wedge, and Mount Inflexible



The Formidable One again looking even more formidable!



Peaks around the hamlet of Exshaw, including Grotto, Grable, Gap, and Fable



Mount Yamnuska, with Association Peak behind



The Twins again, and that fascinating ridge to get over there



Bye-bye to Catherine



Another solitary tree that's stealing all the Sunlight



The ridge and the slabs



Mount Fable



Cool ice



Looking back to the ridge



Close-up



The bluest skies of the day above Heart Mountain



The top of the small canyon I tried to descend




Very cool ice



Scrambling down into the canyon



Looking back up



Easy travel for now



Not so easy. I thought I could scramble down this until I spotted a hanger. Time to retreat.



Spot the hanger



Hangers and a chain higher up the canyon



Back to a spot at the base of the canyon



Back to the twin frozen waterfalls



Parting look at Heart Mountain and Heart Creek



Last few hundred metres of the trip

The End

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