Wolverine Ridge

Elevation: 2430 m
Elevation Gain: 780 m
Wolverine Ridge is the unofficial name of a northwest-trending spur located between Lipalian Mountain and Redoubt Mountain. The ridge and valley to its north are, presumably, named for the rarely-glimpsed stocky carnivore. Wolverines are sometimes mistaken for small bears but are actually the largest terrestrial members of the weasel family. Indeed, males may weigh up to 25 kg. Their reputation for strength and ferocity is corroborated by their documented ability to take down prey much larger than themselves (caribou for instance may outweigh a wolverine by a factor of ten). Wolverine Ridge was originally included within the Lake Louise Ski Resort’s lease, however, it has not been developed and the resort recently proposed that it be returned to the wilderness. While the ridge was never developed, it is, nevertheless, a popular backcountry ski objective during winter months.
My Ascents:
September 14 2018
Trailhead: Fish Creek (Skoki Lodge) Trailhead
GPS Track: Wolverine Ridge

Anniversary scrambles have become an annual tradition for Brianne and I. Having exchanged vows in Lake Louise, we like to return there to celebrate each passing year of matrimony. With babysitting secured (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!) and a room booked at the Deer Lodge (where we spent our wedding night), we had plans to spend our anniversary bagging a suitably impressive peak nearby.

Unfortunately, miserably cold September weather has also become an annual anniversary tradition and, as the temperature plummeted and snow fell, we found ourselves ‘scrambling’ to come up with a smaller target less-likely to lead to frostbite and/or divorce. Wolverine Ridge had been on my snowshoe to-do list for a couple of years now and, since the ground was covered in late-summer snow, we figured that it would be suitable for our downscaled anniversary ambitions. With a forecast that promised little in the way of views, we hoped to at least enjoy the golden glow of larches along with the predicted Wolverine whiteout!

Brianne charges up the snowy Temple fire road despite a sub-zero trailhead temperature. She’s definitely a keeper!

As we hiked up the dull fire road, we passed an outfitter’s stable and discovered that “hay is (still) for horses.”

A small “sucker hole” prompts a smile as we tried to convince ourselves that the skies were clearing.

Brianne “helps” the local flora by whacking snow off bushes as we pass the ski area’s Larch chairlift.

Beyond the ski area, we followed the Skoki Lodge trail for 0.6 km until we reached a minor creek spanned by 2 small log bridges. This creek flows down from the valley that’s used to access Wolverine Ridge so we left the good Skoki trail behind and ventured uphill into the woods hoping to find the faint trail that’s rumored to ascend to the climber’s right of the creek. Although this faint trail was not visible from the main trail, we soon found it (even under a few inches of recent snow). In the summer, I presume that this trail is easy to follow but, buried in snow, it proved more challenging. Fortunately, the brush was relatively thin so whenever we lost the Wolverine Valley trail, I simply broke one of our own!

Wet summer snow balls up under my boots, adding a couple of inches and a couple of pounds to my stature. As you can see, the snow stuck so well that my footprints left none behind, allowing Brianne the luxury of a mostly-dry ascent (you’re welcome Honey)!

A pristine subalpine creek runs through the heart of the Wolverine Valley as the terrain begins to open up. On the way up, we hopped the creek a couple of times but on descent we discovered that the going was easiest on its south side (climber's right/skier's left) and, so, stayed there.

One can wander up the gentle valley for a long ways (and the safest winter route follows this course). Seeking a quicker alternative, however, we wandered up a larch-filled draw and then up steep slopes when a feasible route up Wolverine Ridge became obvious from below. Mouse over to see our line which avoided snow-covered slabs to the right and the steepest open terrain in the center of the photo.

Larch loveliness.

Although she’s generally opposed to bushwhacking, Brianne didn’t seem to mind the ridge’s larch-whacking all that much.

After a steep, snowy slog up the ridge, we gained the crest and were greeted by moody mountain views across the valley towards Lake Louise.

Clouds creep up-valley between ski run-scarred Lipalian Mountain (left) and Whitehorn (right). Click to see larger.

Fairview Mountain (left) and Mount St. Piran (right) can be picked out across the Bow Valley while the more impressive Lake Louise giants remain cloaked in cloud.

Summit tea to keep my wonderful wife warm.

Redoubt Mountain (center) and Unity Peak (right) highlight the view beyond our larch-laden ascent valley. Click to see larger.

Icy views towards Richardson Ridge and the beautiful alpine valley at its foot.

Redoubt Mountain and Unity Peak remained surprisingly visible for the duration of our summit stay despite the swirling clouds that hid every other surrounding high point.

A very happy 5th anniversary summit photo (despite the poor weather)! Mouse over to see how we stayed warm! ;-)

After enjoying our tea and taking photos of clouds, we retraced our footsteps and began our descent with visions of anniversary beer dancing in our heads.

For reasons that I can’t explain, golden larch trees fill me with joy. As you might, therefore, surmise, our descent was quite joyful!

Easy does it: Brianne carefully descends the steepest of the ridge’s slippery terrain.

The always-exciting 4 km plod back down the Temple fire road (made even more enjoyable thanks to an anniversary blizzard)!

After warming up, we took a quick side trip to “beautiful” Lake Louise. Thank God that the views were better 5 years earlier!

Braving yet another end-of-summer blizzard as we check in to the nearby Deer Lodge.

A fantastic finish to our 5th anniversary adventure: warming up in the Deer Lodge’s spectacular rooftop hot tub (what’s in the Nalgene Honey?)!

Happy anniversary to my beautiful ‘Breezy Goat,’ the mother of my Loves and the most amazing climbing/life partner that a guy could ask for!