Little Bourgeau

Little Bourgeau

May 24, 2025

Mountain height: 2660 m
Elevation gain: 1030 m
Ascent time: 4:15
Descent time: 2:20

Scrambling with Raff.

Another day of many surprises – all good, but one (maybe two!).

Little Bourgeau had been on the to-do list for some time, having all the makings of a good “transition from snow to no snow” objective.

After seeing Devan Peterson’s April Facebook post, the trip moved up, closer to the front of that list. May 24 promised clear skies and, at this time of the year, very little snow for a relatively small peak. I was delighted to have Raff along for the ride.

We loosely followed Devan’s route, and it turned out to be a great one. Surprise #1 was the amazing lichen-covered rock scenery on a significant rock band, wrapping around the peak. Unfortunately, the unpleasant surprise (#2) began to rear its head at the same time we were ogling the cool rock – a breakdown in the weather. Clouds were forming rather than breaking up, eliciting the requisite number of moans and groans from me!

The two of “maybe two” was a section of very steep, loose rubble nearing the summit ridge.

Of course, steep, loose rubble is the Canadian Rockies in a nutshell, so that section should hardly have been a surprise. The best of the unexpected came at the top. As a lower outlier of Mount Bourgeau, a decent but not mind-blowing summit view was our expectation – but our minds were in fact blown! Little Bourgeau is surrounded by cool peaks and “big” Bourgeau blocks surprisingly little of the view to the west. The cloudy conditions were especially disappointing here. A return trip with perfectly clear skies was seeded in my head, long before we left the summit.

Although a partial loop route had lots of potential, we settled for returning the same way we came up. The skies did clear for a little, lower on the mountain, but not enough to warrant going back up.

An excellent day out on a route I’m quite certain will see me again. Thanks to Devan for his GPS track and to Raff for his wonderful company.

Where the adventure begins

The trail is initially quite steep

Approaching the lichen-covered rock band that lines the face

Checking a watch I'm not wearing! (photo by Raff)

One of the best views we got of Mount Bourgeau. The clouds were already starting to build.

Raff side-slopes. Interesting but unwelcome clouds above an unnamed outlier northeast of Mount Howard Douglas.

Very cool terrain

Very cool rock

Very tempting to head up the mountain here

Now approaching the main ascent slopes

The outlier (left) and Eagle Mountain (just left of centre)

The route we will take is up the left gully

Raff ascends the remaining snow for better traction

The gully sports awesome rock bands on its right side (photo by Raff)

Mount Howard Douglas appears between the outlier and Eagle Mountain

Impressive walls of near vertical rock

Peaks of the Sundance Range

The outlier

Very cool again!

Raff takes a short break while I check out the very cool rock

Checking it out (photo by Raff)

No scramble route this way

Neat rock

Resuming travel in the right direction (photo by Raff)

Raff is dwarfed by the steep walls

Traversing into the final ascent gully (photo by Raff)

Lots of interesting rock up high

Like this stuff

The snow was often preferable to the rubble (photo by Raff)

We did consider going up that snow slope and I'm glad we didn't!

Much safer terrain to be on (photo by Raff)

Raff gains the ridge

Steps away from the summit (photo by Raff)

Pilot Mountain looks incredible from this angle

The southeast ridge of Little Bourgeau

Summit view to the west and northwest

Bourgeau

The immense Castle Mountain massif

Beautiful peaks along Highway 93 South

Raff makes his way to the top

Mount Ball

Summit panos

Inglismaldie and Girouard

Raff and the view to the west and northwest

Together, it looks like we are on the Edmonton Oilers bandwagon (photo by Raff)

Definitely sporting the Oiler colours - not intentionally, but when The Flames are out of the playoffs, I'm the first guy cheering for the Oilers! (photo by Raff)

Time to go home (photo by Raff)

Raff takes in the view one last time

The rubble battle begins (photo by Raff)

Still impressed by all the cool rock

Easy does it here (photo by Raff)

I think I'm losing the rubble battle (photo by Raff)

Still enamoured with this view

The worst of the rubble is over and we are even treated to a little blue sky (photo by Raff)

Another short break to decide which way to go. We descended the lower half of the gully via a different route (photo by Raff).

Back on our ascent route

So much interesting terrain to explore, but not today

Easier travel from here

Ready to side-slope again

Back to the grassy traverse (photo by Raff)

And a little low bush (photo by Raff)

Another round of the lichen-covered rock

The outlier could be another candidate for ascents in this area

Back at the start, where a hoard of salt eaters are hanging out (photo by Raff)

The End

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