Cascade Mountain
| Climbed: | August 1997 |
| Elevation: | 2998m = 9,836' |
| Elev. gain: | 1325 m = 4,345' |
| Difficulty: | Moderate scrambling via west/south slopes. |
| Ascent time: | 5 hours |
| Descent time: | 4 hours |
| Location: | Banff NP, Canada |
| Trail head: | Mt. Norquay Ski Area. |
| Topo map: | 82 O/4 Banff |
From the #1 parking lot, proceed past the Cascade day lodge onto a trail (right
side of fork) descending to a bridge crossing Forty Mile Creek. Across the bridge,
moderate to strenuous ascent to the amphitheatre. Just before the trail breaks
out of forest into the amphitheatre, turn right onto one of the numerous paths
heading towards the ascent ridge. Don't attempt to climb this ridge head-on --
one hiker has died attempting that.
Only hiking with some boulder hopping is needed to reach the first high point.
At this high point, you have two options: descend several hundred meters below
to a break in the cliff bands. From there ascend to the ridge at the base of
the false summit (the rock wing in the far right of the photo). I first visited
Cascade Ampitheatre in 1993. I started to do the ascent of Cascade Mountain but
because I started this portion of the ascent late, I turned back at this high
point around 4pm.
You may have noticed the contrast differences between the photo on the right
and the first one above. The above picture was taken from the descent route after
the storm had passed. I got caught in heavy clouds on my descent and got off course
as a result. The weather and subsequent off-course adventure added at least two
hours to my descent time.
Follow the discernible trail to the right of the false summit and circle around
to the left. Trail hugs the cliff band here and care must be taken due to an
exposed position. From here it's just a scree slog to the summit. I did not
find a summit register although I did not spend much time due to an approaching
storm (which caused problems on the descent). The second option from the first
high point is to follow the ridge and veer right towards the false summit.
The two trails meet here
From the summit, you can see Banff townsite.
Return via the same way, ensuring that you stick close to the ridge crest below the aforementioned high point so that you end up back in the ampitheatre.
Back to my scrambles/hiking history.
©1993, 1997 All images by Craig Knelsen. All rights reserved.
Created: Nov 11, 2002. Revised: Nov 11, 2002.