Yarrow Ridge XI
April 6, 2025
Mountain height: 2106 m
Total elevation gain: approximately
900 m
Round-trip
time: 7:45
Solo scramble.
The day after a
glorious (but very strenuous) trip up Pincher Ridge with Dave, I was looking
forward to some much-needed rest at home. However, a forecast perfect day of weather
changed that in short order!
Lacking an
abundance of energy and the amazing company and trail-breaking skills of Dave,
a front-range outlier was going to have to suffice – not to imply those
outliers are any less worthy than bigger objectives; recent ascents of Prairie
Sky and the northeast outlier of Lakeview Ridge have definitively laid the
false axiom “bigger is better” to rest! Yarrow Ridge, likewise, boasts some of
the best rock scenery in Southern Alberta – it was a logical choice.
Moving at a
leisurely pace throughout, 
I patched together snippets of previous routes, with
a few variations, and several side trips. Needless to say, the side trips were
all in search of colourful, cool rock, and that’s exactly what I got!
After reaching
the highest point of Yarrow Ridge I continued following the ridge to the west
towards Mount Yarrow. This is a terrific extension, featuring more amazing rock
and wonderful snow scenery.
For descent, I
planned to follow the path I took on two previous trips. However, after
visiting the now famous red argillite rock band, I decided on an experimental
route straight down a nearby drainage. This worked out extremely well, and
though lots of route-finding was required, the rock scenery was once again
fantastic.
Eleven ascents
and Yarrow Ridge continues to be one of the most rewarding trips in Southern
Alberta.
The objective from the approach road
Mount Yarrow (left) and Mount Roche (Spread Eagle Mountain)
The objective from the trailhead
At least a swath of the initial part of the approach is snow-free
Mount Dungarvan (left) and Cloudy Ridge Junior
The east face of Yarrow. Note the slide debris in the centre.
Cool, table-like rock
No shortage of snow here
The east face again. One of the coolest routes goes from right to left at the base of the rock and then up along side it, just left of centre
The rock from The Savage Curtain (Star Trek: TOS) rock and Cloudy Junior
The exposed layers of red and green argillite are phenomenal up-close
Dave and I went up that gully in the centre, before backing down and going up the right side
My poor photos skills on display (the rock at the left does have a top!)
Of course I got carried away here checking out every lichen-covered rock I could see, but who wouldn't!
Close-up. Dave and I ended up somewhere in that area - it was stunning!
Not so close-up
Pronounced rock-folding all over this side of the peak
Further west, the argillites give way to more dolostone and shales
Some green argillite shows up again
Having explored this fascinating area on a previous trip, my plan was to skip it this time - what a foolish plan!
Doing what a said I wouldn't!
Side Trip #1 (excess photo alert)
Yarrow is as eastern front as eastern front gets - nothing but rolling hills and prairies to the east
Looking back at Side Trip #1. I went up the right gully and came down the snowy left one.
This could have been Side Trip #2, but I was intent on checking out the drainage route
Definitely an excuse to return
The rock in the drainage route is outrageously cool
Case in point
Case in point 2
I attempted to sneak up the left side here, but it was very steep and the stability of the snow was suspect
However, I did manage to get soaked from standing too close to this waterfall
Taking the easy route up, on the right side of the drainage
Again, I could have ascended the ridge at the right, but chose to go left, back into the drainage
The snow here was firm and easy to ascend
Once around the corner at the left, there are many routes to ridge and
summit. I decided to do another side trip to see the red argillite
rock, barely visible in the centre.
The snow hides many treasures in the drainage
Super cool, lone tree
Side Trip #2 - red argillite magic
A minor highpoint east of Yarrow's highest point
Back to the red, white, and blue: argillite, snow, and sky
On the ridge. Yarrow Ridge's highest point at the left.
Back below the ridge to see one last band of the red rock
Minutes away from the highpoint
Looking back to the lower summits
The summit view features mounts Yarrrow and Roche, but includes many more
The many more
Mount Glendowan - Dave and I would love to try to find a route up Glendowan from the northeast, but after Newman Senior V, would have to consider the route very carefully!
Cloudowan Northeast
(left peak) - there was a hideous section of bushwhacking for that
trip, but it was very, very short compared to what would be required
for Glendowan. Cloudowan Peak to the right.
Cloudy Ridge Junior (left) and Cloudy Ridge
Mount Dungarvan
I been yearning for some wind-sculpted snow scenery for the entire season and here it is!
Same as above
And again
Closer view from the next highpoint of similar height
From here the alternate descent route goes to the left, but the continuation towards Mount Yarrow is wonderfully scenic
Neat combination of snow and no snow on The Eaglet and Raptor Peak
More sculpting
Side Trip #3 - cool snow, cool rock, fun travel
The gas road now lies to the south
Many years ago I traversed across this face, looking for a scramble route up Mount Yarrow, but failed to find one
The end of the line
Heading back
The Eaglet
Newman Senior makes a glorious appearance
Starting the "normal" descent route
The normal route features red argillite magic, Round 2. Much of Yarrow Ridge in the background.
Side Trip #4 (sort of) - trying a different descent route
Descending alongside a drainage
Looking back to the red rock
The route goes between several awesome rock features
Looks easy from here, but there are a few unseen drop-offs that required circumventing
The only long exposure photo I got
Another steep section I couldn't downclimb
Looking back again. The red argillite band is still visible.
The Cloudys, Cloudowan, and Glendowan
Surprise run-in with two small, but still frozen waterfalls
Much of the descent route
Approaching the gas road
Explored the rock band in the centre a few years earlier
Not the gas road, but a path that grants very easy travel for a while
Hiking back around the mountain
The east face has seen quite a bit of melting during the day
Until we meet again, Yarrow Ridge
The End
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