Pasque Mountain - Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle PLUZ - Alberta Canada

2023-06-04 - to me the most memorable thing about this hike is that it took us three trips to climb this not-at-all-formidable peak. On the first trip we got a flat tire, didn't notice it at first and then bent the rim going over one of the many cattle gates in the PLUZ. We replaced the tire with a skinny spare but rather than forge ahead and worry about having to maybe get towed out if the spare also got a flat we decided to head back home. On the second trip we got to do some hiking at least. However, at a nice clearing we missed an important left turn and kept going straight on a road that led us parallel and then opposite of the summit ridge. We noticed before too long but hoped that the road we were on would still lead us to where we could possibly bushwhack to the correct line. The road did lead to some interesting trails, but nothing we felt like bushwhacking through. We turned back and found the correct turn. We rebuilt a cairn there that had been toppled. By this time we were running out of time and decided to head home again.
Our third trip was successful. We followed the old road to the confusing turn and our cairn from last week was still there. We then followed flagging tape through any parts where the path of the old road started to disappear. We also looked at our GPS app a lot more often to keep on track. Before too long we were on more obvious ground as the old forestry roads followed an obvious and direct path up to the ridgeline.
Once on the crest we were treated to sections of flat grassy paths. We made our way quickly and got to the last rocky sections before the last steep hill to the summit. At this point Melissa decided that she didn't want to chance going further. She had twisted her ankle a few weeks previously and was afraid she might do further damage. She made her way to a large cairn and waited until I made it to the nearby summit of Pasque. This large cairn is almost the exact height as the summit (Soistheman says it is only 1m lower).
The summit has great views of the peaks on the great divide to the west. Many of the peaks are unnamed but I did my best to identify them. The Cache Creek Elevators, Beehive Mt. and Tornado Mt. were easy to see. I was surprised to see that from the summit there appeared to be another road that continued on south. I would love to explore and see where that goes.
From here I radioed to Melissa and we agreed that she would return the same why while I would go on east to complete "The Horseshoe" as described in Gillean Daffern's guidebook (Kananaskis Country Trail Guide vol. 5). This looked ridiculously easy as the elevation losses and gains are hidden and it looks like one could almost jog to the east summit in no time at all. However, I knew that the terrain was going to "undulate" through three cols/saddles. These losses and gains were strenuous but not discouraging. It took me about 90 min. to make it there at a pretty steady pace.
I made it to a cairn at what I thought was the summit. Only later did I read that a rocky outcrop to the south is slightly higher. At the time it looked lower to me so I didn't venture there. I also didn't check my GPS to see that the track I was following (Spectacular Mountains) had gone there. If I had though it wouldn't have presented any difficulty -- maybe a 5 min. short hike.
From the east summit I headed due NW along the easiest path. At one point I ducked to the right of the ridge along a game trail. I could have stayed on the ridge but it was loose and rocky and my legs were not up for that. Once I got back on the crest of the ridge again I stayed to the left and proceeded quickly. At one point Daffern suggests taking a east jaunt through a cutline shortcut to the road. But I just bashed ahead through a mass of debris left behind by a logging company. Once through the debris I had to bushwhack through some steep woods to the road but it was light and I got through with just a few scrapes and scratches. By this time Melissa had made it back herself to the trailhead and we soon met on the road as I was walking down to the vehicle.
It is a good hike with plenty of options to explore in the region.
However, to me the views are marred by huge cut blocks due to excessive logging in the area.
References:
Gillean Daffern (2015). Kananaskis Country Trail Guide. Vol. 5. (4th Ed.). Calgary, AB: Rocky Mountain Books.
Online:
For the most part I followed Spectacular Mountains' trail report and GPS track.
www.spectacula...
www.explor8ion...
www.soistheman...
bobspirko.ca/Hi...
sonnybou.ca/ssb...
Other vlog:
Janny Lan - • Pasque Mountain Horses...
Music:
"Cornelia" by The Eastern Plain
No Need to Beg Pardon" by Velvet Moon
"You Are My Sunshine" by Jasmine Thompson

[@ernestbrazzoni599]

Another great view thanks

[@allstoneadventures8765]

Thanks Ernest!

[@alanwilliams9842]

Another great adventure, thanks for sharing.

[@allstoneadventures8765]

Thank you Alan!

[@ilonamissbach867]

Great video thanks for sharing 🙏

[@allstoneadventures8765]

Thank you!

[@ArtistryOfAdventure]

Awesome! Looks like a fun adventure.