Gravenstafel Ridge

Castle Provincial Park, AB, Canada

17 October 2021 

Solo

 

Probably the easiest ridge walk in the Castle 

 

Today was just not my day – I had much bigger plans but my stomach kept torturing me all day, so I had to cut my trip short. Even on the drive in from Calgary I had to pull over in Nanton and take a nap in my car for an hour before I felt a little better. Trying out new ethnic restaurants is fun, but perhaps not the best idea the night before a huge exploratory trip (one that I’m sure to do in 2022!). 

I had done Gravenstafel Ridge as part of a bigger ridge walk from Tombstone Mountain together with Trevor and Richard back in 2019 and knew it would make for an easy and short day out. It also lends itself to a nice loop with a visit to Haig Lake just south of the ridge. I trudged up the wide track to the lake in the morning, then sat on the sun-bathed slopes north of the lake for an hour to rest a little more before continuing up to the col between Mount Haig and Gravenstafel Ridge. This was the only steep part of the day, although not steep enough to make it a scramble. 

At the col I turned right and followed the ridge crest to the top, bypassing a few steeper rock steps on the left or right. It’s pleasant terrain and I enjoyed the easy scrambling despite still feeling quite sluggish and exhausted. 

The summit has really nice views of Syncline, St. Eloi, Mount Haig, and Southfork Mountain and Barnaby Ridge to the east. The descent was straightforward and mindless: ski runs and maintenance roads lead directly back down to Castle Mountain Ski resort and the big parking lot that always seems so empty in the summer. 

A nice little ridge walk, perfect for something easy and short. 

 

Elevation:

2393 m 

Elevation gain:

1160 m 

Time:

5.0 h 

Distance: 

11.5 km

Difficulty level:

Easy (Kane), T3 (SAC) 

Activity:

Mostly hiking with some easy scrambling 

Reference:

Nugara & own routefinding

Personal rating:

3 (out of 5) 

DOWNLOAD ROUTE (GPX FILE)

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On the trail leading to Haig Lake.
A curious deer in the forest.
Arriving at Haig Lake.
The lake is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides.
This is the scree slope that leads up to the col between Mount Haig and Gravenstafel Ridge. The ridge starts on the right side.
Easy hiking up to the col.
Looking west from the col, Mount Haig on the left.
A look at what’s on the other side. Mount St. Eloi on the right.
Haig Lake below.
Other visitors have arrived at the lake.
Typical terrain on the ridge.
Connecting up with Mount Haig (L) is easier than it looks – the scrambling is not very difficult.
It’s a fun ridge walk.
Cliffs and rock steps like this are easily avoided on either side.
And the views get better and better.
Mount Darrah stands out on the horizon to the west.
Gorgeous ridges and peaks all around.
I took a similar picture when I came up here in August last time. Back then this plant was bright purple, now it’s white!
Summit cairn with views towards the prairie.
Mount St. Eloi (L) and Syncline Mountain (R).
Heading down the ski runs and tracks towards Castle Ski Resort.
Coffee, beer and snacks is all you need during skiing season!

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