Jord's Hiking Blog: Northover Ridge / Three Isle Lake

Dist: 33km Elev: 1430m Time: 12h Difficulty: 4/5

Day 1: 21km, 1120m, 9h Day 2: 12km, 310m, 3h

Byron and I have a friendship built on many things, including a love of the great outdoors and pushing our physical limits. Due to wildfires in the area, we postponed our plans for Lake Magog/Assiniboine and managed to snag a last minute campsite at Three Isle Lake. A perfect opportunity to check out the infamous Northover Ridge loop we had both been eyeing for a couple seasons.

DAY ONE: Upper Kananaskis Lake - Aster Lake - Northover Ridge - Three Isle Lake

Day one began at Upper Kananaskis Lake, circling it in a clockwise direction. After about 6 kilometers, we turned left onto an unofficial yet obvious trail leading to Hidden Lake, which the path also naturally circles. From the south tip of Hidden Lake, the trail started to climb somewhat aggressively, initially through forest and then up steep scree slopes. Views of Fossil Falls eventually appeared ahead, and looking back to see how far we had come from both Upper Kananaskis and Hidden Lakes provided some extra motivation.
After about an hour of climbing, the trail leveled off and arrived at Aster Lake backcountry campground after an additional kilometer or so. Aster Lake was a great place to have a snack/lunch and rest our legs for the upcoming ascent. After circling Aster, the trail led west into a wide delta, which required some rock-hopping to cross various shallow streams. The trail resumed climbing after this delta, fairly steadily for approximately 500 vertical meters until finally cresting at Northover Ridge's high point.
The next 3 kilometers or so are were the reason for tolerating the physical demands of this loop, so we made sure to take sufficient time to enjoy them. Impressive views of jagged peaks and lush green valleys extended for as far as we could see in all directions. Northover Ridge moves in a general NW direction, and eventually we began to descend towards an interesting saddle between Onslow and Defender Mountains. After losing about 200m, choose a place to exit the ridge and enjoy some scree-skiing to lose the remaining 300m or so to the valley floor.
From here, the trail eventually arrived at Three Isle Lake backcountry campground after another half-hour or so. This was a long day, especially with full packs, but we took comfort in knowing that day two was much less demanding (albeit proportionately less visually rewarding).

Trail around Upper Kananaskis Lake

Hidden Lake appears as we begin to climb

Long and steep scree

Rewarding views of Hidden and Upper Kananaskis Lakes. Mt Indefatigable stands directly behind Upper Kananaskis Lake.

Lots of snow, even in late July

Fossil Falls

Arriving at Aster Lake

Aster Lake is quite picturesque. We stopped for lunch here

Colourful wildflowers as we depart Aster Lake

Minor stream crossings in wide and rocky delta. Mount Northover to far left.

More snow

Looking back at the Northover tarns. The trail came over the saddle seen in the lower left.

Cresting Northover Ridge. Mount Northover to right.

Scenic ridge walk

Northover Ridge panorama, facing roughly SW

Despite the surrounding snow, the trail is completely clear by now

Three Isle Lake below

The most narrow section of Northover Ridge

Looking back

Descending the ridge, between Mt Onslow (L) and Mt Defender (R)

We started our scree descent here, just past the snow. Three Isle Lake in valley below.

Last flat section before camp. Looking back at the ridge.

Three Isle Lake. Campground in trees to the right.

DAY TWO: Three Isle Lake - Upper Kananaskis Lake

After a breakfast of oatmeal and instant Starbucks coffee, Byron and I were both eager to make the final push to our car at Upper Kananaskis Lake. The trail departing Three Isle begins with a short yet steep uphill section, followed by a significant loss of elevation on switchbacks leading to the valley floor below, passing a waterfall from Three Isle Creek on the way down. Once on the valley bottom, the forested trail undergoes only modest elevation changes as it passes by Forks backcountry campground and two rockslide sites. Arriving at the north shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake in just over an hour from Forks, we continued on the scenic and level trail circling the lake in a clockwise direction, eventually arriving at the Upper Kananaskis day-use area where it all began.