Goat Mountain, Kananaskis

Overview

Goat Mountain from North along Ridge




Goat Mountain or Goat Peak is the unofficial name for the highpoint along the Goat Ridge beside Yamnuska and about 15 km East of Canmore. It is not to be confused with Old Goat Mountain which is 15 km South of Canmore and beside the Spray Lakes or any of the other dozens of Goat Mountains across British Columbia or the Western USA. Goat Mountain appears to be as overused as Mosquito Lake!
This Goat Mountain is noteable because of the Goat Ridge Traverse which is an old easy rock route which follows the Goat ridge. The twisty limestone ridge starts just West of Yamnuska and includes about 9 high points with Goat Mountain being the highest point. The ridge is on the edge of the front range of the Rockies and fairly low in elevation so it receives less snow and more wind than most areas.

The Goat Traverse is a Class 3 to 5.3 scramble/climb which can be done either way and is about 9.5 km and 1100m. The harder spots have bolts or easy protection so little gear is required. The ridge only has one easy bailoff spot so it is commiting and it has lots of exposure. The traverse is often done as an early season training climb because of the lack of snow.

Getting There

The North access uses the Yamnuska park lot which is about 16 km East of Canmore on the 1A highway. If coming on Highway 1 (Transcanada) turn North at the Seebee overpass and travel 1-2km to the 1A. Turn right for 1 km and then turn left(west) onto the gravel road into the Yam park lot.

The last two peaks you go over are Loder Peak and

Door Jamb
which will put you out on Highway 1A right opposite the cement plant. There is a little unofficial parking spot in the ditch along the powerline right at the end of the ridge. Leave a second car here in the morning.

Red Tape

This is in Kananaskis Park which has no restrictions on climbing or hiking activities except for wildlife closures. See
>Kananaskis Country for more details.

Current public safety information including fire bans, flooding, park construction, wildlife issues and avalanche reports

Alberta Parks Public Safety

Camping

There are many campgrounds in the Bow Valley area around Canmore.

Travel Alberta
has links for all campgrounds in the National and Provincial parks as well as the commercial campgrounds.
The Alpine Club of Canada has a clubhouse in Canmore which has dorm rooms for reasonable rates. See Alpine Club of Canada

External Links

Alberta Parks Public Safety

No matter the season, before you head out, you can always find up to date public safety information including fire bans, flooding, park construction, wildlife issues and avalanche reports

When to climb

The season is late spring to early fall. Goat Ridge is lower elevation compared to many alpine objectives in the Rockies and can be climbed from June until October. Thunder storms can seriously drop the temperature and rain can turn to sleet or snow at any time of the season. Wind is a major factor in the front ranges.

The best site for local conditions is the guide conditions site which has regular updates

Association of Canadian Mountain Guides

Routes

Route description for N-S Traverse

The Goat Traverse 5.3 can be done either N-S from Yamnuska to the 1A highway or from South to North.

Images

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