Nobody talks about the “hiccups” in the ever-subjective hike or scrambling reviews, but they’re definitely part of the adventure. MQ and I found out the hard way as we slowly navigated down and across a gully.
What seemed like a simple, alternate route from the Bald Eagle Peak quickly turned into a comedy of errors. A map on an app suggested it would be faster than an out-and-back, but we ended up spending more time inching around trying to avoid rock slides, than we would have if we had just gone back the way we came.
My legs are now covered in new scrapes, making it clear that I should invest in long pants for my scrambling adventures.
Bald Eagle Peak
Bald Eagle Peak is a cool-looking peak that stands apart from the main range of Mount Charles Stewart near Canmore. The peak used to be known by a racist and misogynistic name because it looks like a woman’s breast. Thankfully the name was officially changed to its Stoney Nakoda name in 2021.
MK had done it a few weeks back and she recommended it as a fun short, scramble. I was optimistic it would be a short day but as it goes with any given day in the mountains, anything can happen.
We took the standard route starting in the trees at a parking lot in Harvie Heights. The scramble is just 10 km with 1,200 gain if you follow the correct route. We may have added a few kilometres to the tally after a few trail mishaps in the morning. I read some reports of bushwhacking but once we got on the right trail, the route was clear and straight-forward.
Out of the trees, we followed the ridge all the way to the summit, where we climbed up and around the left of the summit block. It looked more intimidating from afar but it did not give us too much trouble.
We reached the summit and took a few minutes to enjoy a snack. Then we took the silly route down to the gully, which took much longer than expected.
We made it back to our cars safe and sound, ready for the next adventure.