Little Ware, Mount Ware, Prospector's ridge, Surveyor's ridge, Kananaskis Country - June 22nd 2025

Trail : Little Ware, Mount Ware, Prospector’s ridge, Surveyor’s ridge
Date : June 22nd 2025
Location : Kananaskis Country, AB
Trailhead location : Park at Gorge Creek Day use, Off Gorge Creek Range Rd 55A
Distance : 21 km
Elevation gain : 1023 m (Jen’s watch) 1254 (on mine). I think mine was a bit off today 🤷🏻‍♀️ even though it sure felt like it!
Starting time : 8h06 am
Total time to complete : 8h13
Difficulty : Hard hike (very hard with todays snow conditions) with very minimal scrambling
Trail traffic : we were the only crazy goats on these peaks today

After yesterday’s downpour (June 21st) and all the photos of snow-covered mountains flooding social media, we knew we were in for some mud… and some snow. But what we actually experienced? That was next-level stuff. ❄️💦

The trail was muddy and wet right from the get-go, but hey, spirits were high and our boots were dry (for now). We crossed the little bridge over some seriously raging water and took a left turn onto the Gorge Creek trail. We decided to do the trail clockwise. Laughter, chatting, good vibes… until we realized we’d missed the turn to Little Ware East Ridge. Classic us. 😅

Too far gone to turn back, we noticed our current trail would connect to the Mount Ware route anyway, so we rolled with it. As we climbed higher, snow started making guest appearances, then took over the whole show. By the time we reached Little Ware, our feet were fully soaked already. Looking over at snow-covered Mount Ware, we geared up (shoutout to gaiters 🙌… until they also got wet🤦🏻‍♀️) and gave each other that “are we seriously doing this?” look. But of course, we kept going. One snowy step at a time.

From Little Ware, we dropped into the forest toward Mount Ware, and the trail completely disappeared. So, out came the GPS and in we went: full bushwhack mode. We clawed our way through the trees and promised ourselves: we are not coming back this way. 😂

Climbing the slope to Mount Ware’s summit was no joke… steep, snowy, and exhausting. But we made it. And there, surrounded by snow and peaks that still looked way too far, we once again questioned all our life choices. But hey, why stop now and again, we didn’t want to come back the way we came!

Down Mount Ware we went… it was slippery, icy. We had to be careful there. Between Mount Ware and Prospector’s Ridge. That climb? Felt eternal. But we powered through, had lunch at the top, and pushed onward to Surveyor’s Ridge. Still no trail. Still navigating by GPS like champs. But we did it! 4 peaks, conquered. 🏔️💪

Now… we had considered adding Volcano South Peak to the mix before we left that morning. But at this point, we collectively said: “Hard pass.” 😅
The descent? Let’s just say there was no trail… just a very enthusiastic muddy creek we followed like it was leading us to treasure. And honestly, we didn’t even try to avoid getting wet anymore. We were soaked, so it was full send through water, mud, and three creek crossings. At the last one, knee-deep we laughed, got through like champs🤣.

Back at the truck, we peeled off wet clothes like victorious warriors, swapped into dry gear, and grinned like kids after recess. Because despite the snow, the mud, the detours, and the soaked socks… it was an epic day.
Would we do it again? In a heartbeat. Because with views like those, and company like this, you don’t mind suffering a little for the memories. ❤️🥾