Gypsum Ridge

Dist: 6.4km    Elev: 560m    Summit: 6938'    Time: 4.5h    Difficulty: 2/5

To help me celebrate my 30th birthday, a small army of my closest buddies agreed to accompany me for a day of doing what I love most - exploring the great outdoors! Avalanche ratings were off the charts all week, so after tossing a few ideas around with Matt Clay I finally settled on the protected route up to Gypsum Ridge in pursuit of interesting views of the Kananaskis Lakes region.

The trail started from Spray Lakes Highway, dropping immediately about 100m towards Commonwealth Creek, where we we fortunate to find an ice-bridge over the rapidly flowing water - a sign of spring! From here we ascended steeply and consistently for about an hour, experimenting with numerous different configurations of our collective traction devices to manage the icy climb, before reaching an old logging road that provided a welcomed break from the incline. This road gradually climbed west before reaching a crossroads in the packed trail, where I elected to follow the more gradual route on my GPS in an attempt to save the group from another steep climb. Unfortunately, this plan backfired a couple hundred meters later when the trail headed in a direction quite opposite from our ridge objective and we were required to turn around and return over warming snow that now decided to give out under each step we took. We found ourselves swimming in waist-deep power to return to the proper trail, which was both comical and exhausting!

Once back on the proper trail, we ascended again at a more moderate grade through surprisingly dense bush before at last emerging from the trees onto a snow-free ridge with exceptional views of the surrounding peaks and Lower Kananaskis Lakes below. Despite the overcast and mildly foggy sky, the panoramas from the ridge were well worth the effort required. We stopped for a long lunch/photo break before returning the way we came.

This turned out to be a perfect objective for the conditions of the day, and I feel extremely grateful for the laughs and quality conversations this trip provided. Thanks to all who made my 30th one to remember!

Jordy crossing the snow bridge over Commonwealth Creek

Great views as we struggle through the powder

Travis and Byron were victims of their size in these conditions

Emerging from the trees at last

Looking back at Jordy, Byron and Gavin entering the ridge

The crew admiring the views

Looking east as we approach the summit

Summit panorama (south). Lower Kananaskis Lake below

Summit panorama (west). Spray Lakes Highway below

Summit group shot! These are always my favourite trip pics  

Byron and I doing a summit cele 

Jordy making us all look good

Lunch on the rocks

Heading back down

One last look at the stunning view

Elliot, Brock, Matt and Jeff navigate the slushy trail

Last view of the day before beginning the steep forested descent back to the vehicles