Fortress Mountain is an impressive landmark from the Kananaskis valley. From the top of the chairlift it is spectacular. From Fortress Lake it is a stupendous presence. From the end of the Fortress Ridge it is simply magnificent.

We walked all around the area of this landmark peak, seeing it from many varying vantage points. From the ski area’s Far Side Chair ridge we descended to Fortress Lake, an inky blue gem nestled at the very foot of the peak in the heart of the Kananaskis Range in the Spray Valley Provincial Park. The flowers were brilliant, especially the glacier lilies, alpine cinquefoils and forget-me-nots. Also nice were the rose root, dryas, northern sweet vetch and moss campion. There was even a crocus. It was a mild summer day. There was a very high gusty wind on the ridges, but the benefit was that there were no bugs.

At the lake, where we saw a really good coral fossil, we lunched, and could not resist a quick climb of a rocky knob above the lake, providing a tremendous view of the four summits of Fortress Ridge, which we bagged after lunch. From the farthest peak we had an excellent vantage point to study the upcoming route of our July 13 bus trip—Guinn’s Pass and Rummel Pass.

The day was tailor made for everyone in the group. Some waited on the ridge while five of the group hiked to the lake and climbed the bump—another Ramblers first ascent? This pushed the trip to OT5, and the total elevation gain for those who did the whole meal deal came to 3,900 feet. Two waited on the first peak of the ridge while the rest went on. Six made the last peak.

At the lake we met two provincial park wardens, packing lots of equipment and big guns on their belts, who were going down to check the anglers who were floating in personal flotation rings fly fishing, and check out some complaint issues. (it seems they were after somebody who drove a truck up to the top of the chairlift and parked there.)

We returned to the cars by 5:45 and ended the day with milk shakes at Fortress Junction. Wildlife seen on the drive: 4 deer and an elk.

Participants: Ghulam Jamro, Ken Watson, Joyce, Kim, Mike Bazkur, Ron Moore, Francisco, Dave Arnold and Carl Potter, photographer, scribe and coordinator.

Fortress Lake sparkles under the intimidating wall of Fortress Mountain. We climbed the rocky bump above the lake for a great view back at the four summits of Fortess Ridge.

From the rocky bump, the lake shines 800 feet below and the four summits of Fortress Ridge beckon above the valley.

Four of the group pose at the rocky knoll viewpoint. Mike, Kim, Dave and Ghulam.

Rub-a-dub-dub, two men in their tubs, just look at the smiles on their faces! We hoped these guys had thought to get fishing licences, because the provincial park fuzz were hot on their trail.

The trail from the top of the Farside chairlift to Fortress Lake is a subalpine gem. The only weakness is that at one point it drops over a very steep shale slope and is all eroded out, making a rather tough TL4 section.

From the fourth summit, which soars above Galatea Creek, the entire ridge is laid out, extending from the Fortress and Mount James Walker. The lake is in the cirque to the right. The high wind gusts were a wee challenge on the narrow section of the ridge (on the first summit of the ridge, I was about to lean forward to pick up my poles from the ground, but one pole just popped up into my hand all by itself!), but generally this is a very pleasant and rewarding ridge walk.

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