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Bald Eagle Peak (2500 m)

Summary

  • Area: Canmore
  • Trip Date: 2023 Jul 03
  • Trip Duration: 6 1/2 hrs
  • Elevation Gain: 1220 m
  • Total Distance: 8.5 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Scrambling
  • Accompanied By: Dan
  • Beta: Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies – 3rd Edition
  • Notes: 2 km of bushwhacking shown, but can likely be avoided. Closer to difficult scramble rating along ridge.

Trip Report

This peak was officially named Anû Kathâ Îpa (Bald Eagle Peak) in 2021. Older printings of Scrambles refer to it by its unofficial name, The Tit. The unofficial name is no longer used and the name has been updated in newer printings.

This route starts at the trailhead of the New Connector Trail (Meander Trail) and has a good parking lot. Following the directions in the book to “head through forest toward the peak, staying right of the drainage” had us starting on this trail, leaving the trail for 1 km of bushwhacking, and then crossing a wide, well-maintained trail again, kicking ourselves for not just staying on the trail. The well-maintained trail is identified on mapping as a mountain biking trail, Montane Traverse, which looks like it would meet up with Tibits Quarry Trail and/or Meander Trail. The bushwhack below Montane Traverse wasn’t too fun and I wouldn’t recommend it. Above Montane Traverse there is only a short, easy bushwhack section. If I did this again, I would use one of these mountain biking trails.

After a healthy dose of bushwhacking, we finally arrived above treeline. Big Sister can be seen at the far left. Ha Ling Peak is just left of center. The long string of peaks occupying the right side of the photo is Mount Rundle.
A well-worn path leads up through the scree.
The head of Bald Eagle Peak soon comes into view (center). One of the eagle’s wings extends to the left, formed from a slabby, narrow ridge where the more challenging scrambling is to be found.
The ridge on approach to the summit has several downclimb sections. To climber’s left (right in this photo) is steep exposure that can sometimes be avoided by careful route selection.
The terrain got more slabby and exposed as we worked our way up. We stuck close to the edge of the drainage which probably gets closer to difficult scrambling. It looks like there might be a more moderate bypass to the right. Slab is my jam, but Dan was less appreciative.
Larger and larger slabs are encountered. The sustained exposure started to fatigue Dan.
Dan decided this was enough excitement for his day and chose to wait just beyond the final false summit, pictured center-frame above. From there, I quickly tagged the peak and then returned to meet him.
Looking down the ascent route from the peak. A large slabby ramp (not shown) is taken around climber’s left of the summit block (Eagle’s Head). That ramp would be too exposed to take if wet, but presents no issues when dry. The last push up to the peak is a moderate, but loose scramble. I found it easier than the ridge.
Looking back at the ascent ridge.
Summit panorama.
I met back up with Dan and then started our descent.
Dan, probably questioning his choice in a wife. Typical terrain along the ridge.
Climbing back up the previous downclimb.
Heading back towards trees and Harvie Heights Rd, thankfully still joined by my husband.

In the interest of simplicity, we brute-force bushwhacked our way directly back the way we came. The bushwhack has some mossy slopes and wet spots. It wasn’t that fun, but it’ll go.

We reached the parking lot in 6 1/2 hrs, deciding next to calm our nerves with ice cream in Canmore. I enjoyed the scrambling portion of this one, but not the bushwhacking. Dan manages a phobia of heights and hates “surprise” difficulty, so didn’t particularly enjoy this one. I might bump the rating from moderate to difficult scrambling if following the ridge closely. There might be a more moderate bypass of the trickiest section, but the gentler slab off the ridge is still gravel-strewn.

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