Our large group headed off from the Sawmill parking lot at 9:45 am under sunny skies. We made good time at a moderate pace and in an hour made our way to tree line at the base of the ridge. The trail through the trees and the ridge itself were free of snow, so no traction devices were required.

Leaving tree line and starting up the ridge

The group of 16 spread out as we ascended the ridge with 3 subgroups of a fast , a moderate and a slower pace.


Looking West from the lower section of the summit ridge

The views all along the ridge were great and within an hour everybody was at the summit cairn.


Jim approaching the summit cairn

The group enjoyed a half hour lunch at the top protected from a moderate North wind.


Lunch at the summit of the West Outlier

The top of the Outlier provides an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding valleys and peaks. It was the first time up on the Outlier for about half of the group.


Cornices on the upper section of the ridge

Looking North towards Mount James Walker

Group photo at the top of the West Outlier of North Kent

As we made our way back down the ridge we were joined by a mature bald eagle soaring a couple of hundred metres over our heads.

Admiring the views along the ridge

Descending the upper secion of the ridge

We were soon back at tree line and in another 30 minutes we were back at the vehicles in the Sawmill parking lot. Our timing weather wise was perfect as a light rain started to fall as were we drove out of the parking lot.

We saw two different black bears, one on the way in on the Smith Dorrien near Black Prince and one on the way home on Hwy 40 near the Nakiska turnoff.

Young black bear on highway 40

Thanks to Philip,Terry,Dean,Nancy,Chris,Shirley,Jeannette,Janice,Inge,John,Donna,Jim,David,Terri and Jozef for their for their sense of humour and great conversations and for joining me Kevin (C/S) on a great day of hiking on the Smith Dorrien in K Country.

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