A few dozen metres after starting out, we can make out the ridge we wish to gain.
Maze Peak I wish there were more mountains like Maze Peak. A mountain that dispenses with an approach, and quickly hoists you onto a ridge with wonderful vistas. Then while continually climbing with twists and turns – not to mention surprises around each corner – it propels you to the summit. From Sundre it took us an hour to drive to the trailhead, including a 38 km stretch on a well-maintained gravel road. The Rocky Mountain Ramblers, whose web page gave me the idea of climbing Maze Peak, ascended a drainage, but we chose to start up the sparsely treed west slope. We parked near the end of the southwest ridge and started hiking. We soon broke out of the trees onto a slope of shale scree that clattered like dinner plates under our boots. 35 minutes after starting out, we gained the ridge crest. We followed the ridge. Because of the terrain, we were limited to viewing short sections at a time which kept us guessing what lay ahead, until, that is, we came to a spur west of the summit. Here the beautiful pyramid-shape of Maze Peak rose above us. We dropped down to a saddle and started up. We stayed close to the ridgeline, scrambling here and there, and in a short time arrived on the summit. After spending several minutes on the summit taking photos and signing the summit register, we started back. At the base of the spur, looking for a reason to extend our stay on the mountain, we decided to ascend the west outlier. The modest effort was worth gaining another vantage point to take in the splendid scenery before we retraced our steps back to the car. |
A few dozen metres after starting out, we can make out the ridge we wish to gain.
I went directly to the ridge hoping the low cliffs would offer solid footing. Instead loose shale
over steep rock made travel miserable (mouse over).
Sonny and Dinah kept right and undoubtedly found the going easier.
After gaining the ridge and hiking along it for a short way, we see the summit (left).
We'll follow the southwest ridge to the spur.
Looking back along the ridge, Mount Minos rises above the Red Deer River.
Steep climb ahead
This was one of the longest and steepest sections we ascended.
We found an incredible rift on the ridge. The spur can be seen on the skyline on the right.
Looking back along the rift
Above the rift, we scramble up a knob.
At the top, Sonny pauses to look around.
Looking back at Sonny and Dinah
Hiking to the spur
From the spur we head to the summit.
A gendarme of dark rock juts out from the summit ridge.
Looking back. On the return trip we'll visit the west outlier behind us.
Mountains behind us include Warden Rock (mouse over).
Going up the gendarme
Sonny and I scrambled up the gendarme while Dinah hiked around it.
Sonny on the gendarme. Behind (bottom to top) are our ascent ridge,
Labyrinth Mountain, unnamed ridge and Barrier Mountain (mouse over).
Sonny on the gendarme
Just before the summit, Dinah watches Sonny downclimb (mouse over).
Dinah and I took an easier way down.
On the summit
Dormer Mountain lies southwest
Looking back as Sonny comes down from the summit.
Sonny walks down slabs on the ridge crest.
Heading to the west outlier. Mouse over to look back.
Some scrambling along the way
Sonny scrambles up. Maze Peak on the left.
Looking north: Eagle Lake and an unnamed peak
Panorama from the outlier
Last look at the spur as we take a shortcut under the spur.
Panorama from Maze. James Lake left of Dinah and Sonny.
82 O/11 Burnt Timber Creek
