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Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Easy
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.
1,245 m
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
11.0 km
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
User Ratings
These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Physical DIFF
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Technical DIFF
Directions to Trailhead

Mist Mountain

Panorama from Mist Mountain scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies
Measurement:

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Table of contents

Scrambling Mist Mountain takes you up the largest peak in the immediate area, which is a sure-fire guarantee for an awesome summit view! Not only that, but scramble route is a scenic and pleasant approach that can’t be beat.

Route Description for Mist Mountain

At 10302ft, Mist Mountain is the highest mountain east of Highwood Pass and thus offers outstanding views of the area. It is also a very easy scramble, requiring no more than stamina and a tolerance for scree. The common hikers route entails following an overgrown logging road for 0.6mi and crossing a flood damaged stream. On our return we ignored this logging road, instead continuing south on an excellent and obvious trail beginning where the old logging road intersects the trail starting up Mist Mountain. We reached the highway 1969ft east of the usual starting point and noted that the beginning of this trail was marked with a piece of flagging on a small aspen tree. It is a far superior option to the usual route and there is plenty of space to the side of the highway to park. There is also an odd paved pullout about 984ft east of this point which could be an alternate parking point. From this starting point the trail ascends north for 1.9mi, first gently through forest and then more steeply up a grassy valley to a pass between "Nameless Ridge" to the east and a southern ridge of Mist Mountain to the west. From the pass, ascend the grassy bump to the left (west) and then follow a good trail along scree slopes towards the rocky bowl, south of Mist Mountain. Shortly past where a stream materializes from the scree near the entrance to the rocky bowl begin ascending Mist Mountain. You have your choice of loose small scree, big mostly stable scree, or solid, grippy bedrock on which to ascend 1640ft. It's tedious, but technically easy. If all goes well, you'll arrive on top of the southeastern ridge of Mist Mountain. The summit ridge extends to the northwest and from this vantage looks impossibly steep, but at its steepest is no steeper than what you just ascended. Just choose your route carefully as similar scree qualities exist as did earlier on the ascent. Also note that the actual summit is not what appears to be the summit from this vantage, but is rather just a short distance further. It is possible to descend the summit via scree slopes that begin to the southeast of the summit and deposit you at the back of the rocky bowl in which you started the final ascent. This route, however, was snow covered while we were there and thus we chose to descend the same way as we ascended, sticking as much as possible to the small loose scree to make the descent much faster and more fun.

Insider Hints for Mist Mountain

  • The entire Highwood Pass area, including the southern portion of Highway 40, is closed from December 1st to June 14th each year.
  • Highwood House is the closest place to stop for a snack after the hike.

Getting to the Mist Mountain Trailhead

The common hikers route up Mist Mountain begins at a grassy pullout (currently no grass, just mud) on the north side of Highway 40, 8.1mi south of Highwood Pass or 15.5mi west of Highwood Junction.

Route Information

  • When to do:

    July - September

  • Backcountry Campsites:

    No

  • Toilets:

    Several Day Use Areas Along Highway 40

  • Pets allowed:

    Yes - On Leash

  • Scarmbling Rating:

    Grade 1

  • Exposure:

    Mild

  • Family friendly:

    Yes

  • Route Signage:

    None

  • Crowd Levels:

    Low

  • Route Type:

    Out and back

Mist Mountain Elevation Graph

Weather Forecast

Check Area Weather

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