East End of Rundle (EEOR)

Dist: 6.4km    Elev: 880m    Summit: 8465'    Time: 3.5h    Difficulty: 3/5

With Melinda away for work this week I decided to embrace the temporary bachelor lifestyle by, of course, summiting a mountain! Packing my gear the night before allowed me to head west immediately after work, yet with the late start and limited daylight I decided to play it safe by checking out a popular nearby peak. The trail to the east end of Mt Rundle (EEOR) is apparently quite busy in the summer, but I hoped it would be less crowded on an early season weeknight. Apparently not everyone is as keen; I only met a handful of people on the trail and I had the summit all to myself. Despite being consistently steep due to modest elevation gained over a relatively short distance this trail amply rewarded with truly awesome views, especially from the summit ridge.

Mt Rundle east summit is center left. Taken near the Canmore Nordic Centre.

The trail begins at Whiteman's Pond, just above Grassi Lakes.

Ha Ling Peak comes into view.

EEOR summit in the distance.

Looking back at Ha Ling Peak.

Sections of hands-on scrambling.

Final scrambly section guarding the summit ridge.

Scrambly section, looking back.

On the summit ridge. EEOR summit to the left. Mt Lawrence Grassi distant right.

Summit panorama. Mt Rundle dominates the western view.

Exploring the ridge. EEOR summit in center.

Lots of deep snow to navigate up top.

Canmore (left) and Spray Lakes (right) can be seen below.

Summit selfie.

East panorama. It's a long way back to the car.

Summit log box. One final look before a reluctant departure.