June 15, 2025
Highpoint:
2343 m
Total elevation gain: approximately 1200 m
Ascent time:
5:00
Descent time:
4:10
Solo scramble.
The last time I
attempted to make it to the shores of this seldom-visited lake, I said, “I WON'T be back” (to try again). I lied!
With
potentially hazy/cloudy skies predicted for the day, another stab at the
elusive body of water seemed to be a good choice. This time I would try to
leave the Alderson Lake trail earlier than attempt #1, gain some elevation on
the south side of Buchanan Ridge, side-slope to a point above the lake, and
then descend to it.
And I was
pleasantly surprised to find out the planned route worked remarkably well. 
The
unpleasant section of bushwhacking between the trail and open slopes on
Buchanan was shorter than expected; the route had several sections of
beautifully colourful rock; and all scrambling was easy and fun. However, the
route was far from short and direct – certainly exacting its pound of flesh
from me!
Approximately
4.5 hours after leaving the parking lot, I arrived at a point above the lake.
The summit of The Senator was relatively close, and I did briefly consider
trying to reach that summit before or after visiting the lakes. Upclimbing the
terrain that had repelled me on Lake Dormaar attempt #2 would likely have been
considerably easier than downclimbing it. 
That consideration WAS a brief one,
however. If I went to the lake first, I would have lacked the energy to slog
all the way back up, and going to the summit first would defeat the entire
purpose of the trip, given that I may not want to downclimb the tricky terrain.
Descending to
the lake (actually lakes) was an easy affair, at which point I circled the
small one completely, and the bigger one partially. They both exceeded my
expectations, only the grey skies detracting from their beauty.
There were
three logical options for the return trip: 1. The way I came; 2. A more direct
route back to the Alderson Lake trail; 3. Traverse over to the first route I
attempted. The numerous ups and downs of option 1 rendered it the least
appealing. Option 2 was my first choice but there were many unknowns, and the
bushwhacking could have been epic. Eventually I decided to play it safe and go
with option 3. It would be the longest of the three and require a tedious stint
of side-sloping, but at least I was familiar with much of the route.
And long it
was! The 2.3 km side-sloping took almost an hour and three-quarters, at which
point I took some time to rest and photograph a stunning waterfall/cascade near
the trail. The trip ended with 8 kilometres of mercifully easy hiking on the Alderson Lake
trail.
Overall, a challenging
but very rewarding trip. I could probably be coaxed to repeat the trip on a
perfect weather day.
The usual vibrant photo of Vimy Peak is muted by the hazy skies
The first part of the Buchanan Northeast traverse
Looking up the route we took up Bertha Peak in 2020
The planned route goes up the side of the peak in the centre, but not all the way to the top
Carthew Creek
Same as above
Out of the bush and on the lower slopes of that peak
The summits of Bertha Peak and Bertha Minor
The summits of Mount Alderson (left) and Buchanan Peak
Heading up a water-worn drainage
Beautiful rock in the drainage
Part of the Middle Waterton Lake shows up...
...with red argillite
Heading left up this gully to keep on track
Nice rock in that gully too
A big rock and Bertha Minor
The ridge in front leads to The Senator. I need to be on the other side of that ridge where Dormaar Lake sits.
Part of the daunting connecting ridge between Buchanan Northeast and The Senator
Not Lake Dormaar!
Now aiming for a significant band of red argillite guarding the ridge I need to be on
At the base of the band
Same as above. It's a beautiful hike around the base and hopefully to a weakness in the band.
Looking back
Looking forward
There's the weakness
Easy and scenic ascent through the colourful rock
The Berthas and Alderson
Looking down the route I just came up
The route ahead
A few wildflowers to spruce things up
With more
Buchanan NE at the left and the small outlier I ascended about halfway before side-sloping
On the ridge above Dormaar Lake. The summit of The Senator at the left.
Close-up of The Senator. On attempt #2, I turned around at the highpoint right of the summit.
It's small, but there's Alderson Lake
View from the ridge
Heading up to a minor highpoint, to get a view of Dormaar Lake
But this view was distracting me
Cloudy Ridge, Cloudy Junior, Dundy, Dungarvan, Rogan Peak, Galwey North, and Mount
Galwey in the background, but that red ridge in front is drawing my eye more
Wouldn't be a Waterton trip without a shot of Long Knife Peak
Lake Dormaar - finally!
Close-up
The route to The Senator looks easy except near the top
Rogan Peak (left), Galwey North (in front of Rogan), and Mount Galwey
Buchanan Northeast
The Middle Waterton Lake
Approaching the lakes
Same as above
Same as above
At the lakeshore
Part of the jagged ridge between the highest point of Buchanan Ridge and The Senator
Lake views:
Time to leave
Heading towards one of the two potential descent routes
A very short stint of bushwhacking
Out in the open and the other alternate descent route is visible
straight down the middle. I decided instead to side-slope to the right.
Looking back after some of the side-sloping. The lakes are tucked in behind the trees at the far left.
Mount Alderson keeps you company through the side-sloping trauma!
Lots of cool rock to alleviate the tedium also
Same as above
Once again I thought about trying to reach this cool-looking cascade, but once again I bailed
Terrain that looks easy to traverse but is in fact quite tedious
Close-up of the big waterfall/cascade coming down from the Carthew Lakes
The big one up high and the smaller one (I will photograph to death in a few minutes) down low
Here they are:
Finally satiated!
Passing by a potential route up Buchanan Peak
The comforting sight of Alderson Lake
Same as above with Buchanan Peak
A little snow and ice at the end of the lake
Unfortunately I didn't have the energy to check this out up-close
Part of the long buy easy to hike Alderson Lake trail
The very welcome sight of Waterton townsite and Vimy Peak
Mount Crandell
When you see the black railing you are very close to the end
All done and stopping to look over a very cool route I took up Bertha Peak a few weeks earlier
The End
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