Mount Racehorse
July 20, 2016
Mountain
height: 2510 m
Elevation gain: approximately 1000 m
Ascent
time: 2:15
Descent
time for loop route: 2:45
Solo
scramble.
The
delightfully whimsical naming of this peak by Bob Spirko
and Sonny Bou was
reason enough to return to Racehorse Pass and complete the trip. As it turns
out, the other reason to ascend Mount Racehorse is simply because it’s an
awesome little mountain adventure, especially if you complete the loop route.
A bike
approach preceded the surprisingly enjoyable ascent of Racehorse’s northeast
face. “Surprisingly enjoyable” because of the mostly pleasant footing, a colourful
section of wildflowers and much better than expected views of the surrounding
area.
From the
summit a potential loop route via an intermediate highpoint between Mount Racehorse
and Mount Ward looked feasible and so off I went. This route was also a pleasant
surprise, requiring a little route-finding, a little scrambling and interesting
scenes of rock on the cliffy west side of the mountain.
Although
an attempt to traverse all the way to Mount Ward was exceedingly tempting, so
was the high-level ridgewalk above Window Mountain Lake. I chose the latter and didn’t regret it,
enjoying beautiful views of the lake and Mount Ward.
An
excellent day on a little gem of a mountain.
Racehorse Peak, as seen on the drive in
The south and southeast ridges of Racehorse Peak
Pleasant views en route to Racehorse Pass. Mount Ward at the left and Mount Racehorse just right of centre
Mount Ward
The colourful southeast ridge of Racehorse Peak
There's Mount Racehorse looking very easy... and it is!
The wildflower section and some good scrambling above
Flowers and Racehorse Peak
Easy terrain to the summit
Looking over to Racehorse Peak
Looking over to the window of Window Mountain and Crowsnest Mountain behind
View to the west. Mount Washburn is just visible in the distance
Close-up of also distant Tornado Mountain
Summit view of the loop route
The cliffy terrain on the west side
Looking back of some of the route
More of it
At the col between Racehorse and the intermediate highpoint (right)
At the highpoint looking back to Racehorse
From left to right: Mount Racehorse, Racehorse Peak, Window Mountain Lake and Mount Ward
Great views of the lake and Ward
Last look before the easy descent
The End
