I was feeling pretty groggy when I set out to summit Windtower. After spending 10 days house-sitting away from home, it felt like I hadn’t moved in weeks. But I knew once I hit the trail I would be rejuvenated.
I have wanted to summit Windtower since my hiccup with my bite valve last year. It has always been at the back of my mind as one of those to do hikes that required little brain power or route finding.
The trail to Windtower begins just to the right (east) of West Wind Pass, roughy three kilometres from the trailhead. Be sure to stick to the right and take the lower trail – otherwise you might end up on the trail to Rimwall or another trail.
Once I reached the pass, I headed directly for the defined trail to Windtower. I met a hiker coming down and he told me to prepare for bushwhacking. That was crazy talk as there was no bushwhacking – just a gradual climb swinging around some trees and short cliff bands. The views of Spray Lakes got even more beautiful, the higher I climbed.
I stopped to fix my shoes and I was quickly passed by MB, a young hiker, who was enjoying his last few days before heading back to Vancouver for school. Minutes later I caught up with him at the final view point before the climb to the summit.
Out of the trees, I reached the big scary, steep scree section. I say that in jest because it wasn’t as steep and gross as the online reviews like to shout. If you are in relatively good fitness, it shouldn’t take you long to move through the last section (about one kilometre) to the summit.
I took my sweet time climbing because the panoramic views of Spray Lakes, the valleys, surrounding mountains like Mount Lougheed were outstanding.
Crazy windy at the summit. Windtower definitely lived up to its name. MB and I chatted some more while taking photos and holding onto our hats. We couldn’t ask for better weather – not too humid, not too windy.
I went down a little lower so I could get out of the wind and take in the beauty of it all.
Windtower was a pleasant surprise, particularly because it wasn’t a sheer grind as the online voices like to shout. Great views at the top definitely make this 10kish out-and-back worth the drive on Hwy 742 worth it.