Syncline Mountain

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Easy
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
5-8h
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
5.8 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
995 m
User Ratings
These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
Overall Rating
This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
9.9
Physical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Technical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
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Directions to Trailhead
Panorama on Syncline Mountain on Mount Coulthard scramble in Castle Provincial Park, Alberta

Syncline Mountain is a steep ascent through a larch forest that takes you to a summit with views that stretch down multiple mountain valleys, making Syncline Mountain an excellent outing! Try this in autumn when the changing larches are spectacular!

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Route Description for Syncline Mountain

The drive to the Castle Wilderness area along Highway 774 is dominated by the large mountain that looms up from the rolling foothills - Syncline Mountain. While the mountain has three separate summits, the official one (oddly, the lowest of the three) is the most impressive one as viewed from Highway 774 and is also an easy scramble (tagging the other two summits requires some serious scrambling). It is a great day out in the Rockies.

While the ascent is exceptionally steep at just under 1,000 m in just over 3.0 km - the real crux of the journey is the bushwhacking and the heat. Bring a map and/or GPS and be sure to start early in the day.

As you begin, you will immediately notice that there is a lot of brush, which can make for very slow going. You are bushwhacking here for about 200 m.

As you come upon a drainage, continue ahead until you are out of the trees and then go right to gain the ridge. As you ascend, the foliage thins, however, bushes and deadfall plague the first half of the ascent.

Past the brush and deadfall, you enter a larch forest, while a bit cluttered with bushes in spots, makes for easy travel. Near the top things get quite steep, but remain nothing more than a hike all the way through a wide gap in the cliff band guarding the summit plateau.

An easy stroll then leads you to the summit of Syncline Mountain, marked with a cairn holding a geocache/register. It is possible to traverse to the other two summits, but there is significant scrambling required. Otherwise, rest and enjoy the views then return the way you came.

Insider Hints for Syncline Mountain

Getting to the Syncline Mountain Trailhead

From Beaver Mines, drive South on Highway 774 towards Castle Ski Area. After 22.6 km, park under the drainage gully at the side of the road under Syncline.

Route Information

  • When to do

    June - September

  • Backcountry Campsites

    None

  • Toilets

    None

  • Pets allowed

    Yes - On Leash

  • Scarmbling Rating

    Grade 1

  • Exposure

    Mild

  • Family friendly

    Older Children only

  • Route Signage

    None

  • Crowd Levels

    Low

  • Route Type

    Out and back

Syncline Mountain Elevation Graph

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Syncline Mountain Reviews

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