Tallon Peak (centre, seen from our start point) is preceded by a ridge on the left.
Tallon Peak (West Approach) Although we climbed Tallon and Robertson Peaks via a south approach in the spring years ago, we decided to climb Tallon Peak in the winter using the route in Hiking the Historic Crowsnest Pass. The only difficulty we anticipated was land access: since the book was printed, privatization has prohibited some routes in Crowsnest Pass. Following the book instructions, we drove up the gravel road (Township Road 75) only to confront signs such as “No Trespassing” and “Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted.” We stopped at a house to obtain firsthand information. The resident told me not to worry, that the signs were there to discourage hunters. After parking on the roadside, we hiked west up the road, through a gate (ignoring the “Keep Out” signs) and headed to Tallon Peak. We soon gained the west ridge that leads to the summit. We probably missed the trails and roads described in the book – the snow hid those – but we had no problem hiking up the ridge. Except for some parts, the snow layer was thin and offered little resistance. At the summit block, we diverged from the book route by circumventing it north instead of south. After following a cliff band a short distance we found a weakness and climbed to the summit of Tallon Peak. Despite being a diminutive mountain, the summit views were rewarding. |
Tallon Peak (centre, seen from our start point) is preceded by a ridge on the left.
Heading to the ridge
The view west
The slope is steeper than we expected here so we went around to an easier grade.
We're almost on the ridge
On the ridge with Tallon Peak ahead
A deer (bottom) watched us intently (mouse over for a close-up) before disappearing.
The views to the southwest appear as we ascend.
Looking back at the ridge, nearly bare of snow, where we were minutes ago.
We hit deep snow here but fortunately someone had recently broke trail on snowshoes.
Looking south
The summit is close enough to see a summit cairn.
We meet up with the snowshoe tracks again and follow them to the north side of the summit block.
The snowshoe tracks eventually headed right but we kept left, looking for a break in the cliff band.
We start circling the summit block looking for a way up.
We find a weakness and take it.
Hiking to the summit.
The summit is topped by a huge cairn.
Robertson Peak and the south end of Livingstone Ridge
(mouse over for a close up)
Panorama from the summit
Blairmore 82 G/9
