Notes: Via Prairie View trail. Kananaskis Conservation Pass Required.
Trip Report
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required and can be purchased in advance online (or using wifi at the visitor center nearby)
We were delighted (and perhaps surprised) to convince our friend Swiss to come hiking while visiting Alberta in December. The 26th was decided on and well-treed Yates Mountain looked like a great place to seek shelter from the wind, forecast to gust up to 60 km/hr this day. The summit of Yates Mountain is reached by hiking, without any scrambling, making it an excellent first summit.
The day begins at Barrier Lake, the reservoir former by Barrier Dam. Walking across the dam leads to the start of a handful of trails.We continued straight through intersections with Barrier Powerline trail and Stoney Trail, staying on Prairie View trail. Good signage was provided along the way.The next few kilometers were spent reminiscing on well-graded switch-backs.We were drawn from conversation after 5 km as stunning views opened up across Barrier Lake.A short steep section leads to the viewpoint above (upper right). Swiss’ borrowed trekking poles were not up for the challenge and Dan loaned him one of our MSR poles to continue with.We paused at the view point to take in Barrier Lake and Mount Baldy (right). Our break is kept short by the fierce wind.The true peak lies another half kilometer beyond the viewpoint and is shared with a fire lookout. The lookout itself is restricted, but a small green sign to the right of the picnic table leads to a short path around to a second viewpoint that sights along the Trans-Canada highway toward Canmore.The second viewpoint looks west over Heart Mountain (left), Lac des Arcs (center), Grotto Mountain (center right), and Gap Peak (right).Views to the south are of Skogan Peak.We returned back the way we came, giving the corniced cliff edge a wide berth. Returning back to the trees, sad to be leaving the views, but welcoming of respite from the wind.
We made it back to the parking lot in 4 hrs 20 min, leaving enough time for a leisurely dinner in Canmore before driving back to Edmonton. Yates Mountain is a good option to have for windy days since most of the day is spent sheltered by trees.
Peak Bliss 