Paget Peak and North Ridge Off-Trail hike on 25-Sep-2021

It was a great day in the mountains away from the masses of larch seekers. Other than a couple of groups below the lookout on the way down, we had the peak and ridge to ourselves. After leaving the vehicles at 9 am, we headed up the trail to Paget Lookout.

Paget Lookout
Paget Lookout

Cathedral Crags and Mount Stephen
Cathedral Crags and Mount Stephen

The group stopped at the lookout for a water break and to admire the views. From there it was up the rough trail to the top of Paget peak where we stopped for lunch.

Sherbrooke Lake from Paget Peak
Sherbrooke Lake from Paget Peak

Looking North from the summit of Paget Peak
Looking North from the summit of Paget Peak

Group photo at top of Paget Peak
Group photo at top of Paget Peak

After a pleasant lunch in the sun, we began the traverse of the North Ridge of Paget. The traverse involves going up and over a few bumps on the ridge which includes two elevation losses of 50 and 70 metres.

Starting the traverse of the North Ridge
Starting the traverse of the North Ridge

Our final destination is the top of the light brown slope in the centre
Our final destination is the top of the light brown slope in the centre

Jeanette a few steps from the high point on the North Ridge of Paget
Jeanette a few steps from the high point on the North Ridge of Paget


The final section involves a moderately steep hike up a talus slope to the high point of the North Ridge. The high point provides an amazing 360 degree panorama of the surrounding peaks.

Looking North from the high point on the North Ridge
Looking North from the high point on the North Ridge

Some of the gang at the high point on the North Ridge
Some of the gang at the high point on the North Ridge

Looking east towards Mount Hector from the high point
Looking east towards Mount Hector from the high point

After another rest break at the high point, the group descended the final slope and traversed to the West side of the ridge to a wide bench.

Descending the North Ridge towards the bench on the West side of Paget
Descending the North Ridge towards the bench on the West side of Paget

An easy traverse along this bench brought us back to the trail leading up to Paget Peak, but 150 vertical metres below the summit.

Bob traversing along the bench
Bob traversing along the bench

Using the bench saved us the additional 100 vertical metres of ups and downs if we had retraced our route back along the ridge. We stopped for one last rest break at Paget Lookout to enjoy the great views of the Great Divide peaks and O'Hara Valley.

North Peak of Mt Victoria and Mt Hungabee from Paget Lookout
North Peak of Mt Victoria and Mt Hungabee from Paget Lookout

The group was back at the vehicles a few minutes after 5, having enjoyed a very pleasant day in the mountain

Thanks to Gary,Susan,Jeannette,Bob,James and,Jane for their great company and for joining me Kevin (S/C) on a mountain trek in Yoho National Park.

Total elevation gain 1125 m
Total distance 13.2 km
Total time 8 hrs

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