Engagement Mountain Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

Following the well packed trail, back down towards Jewell Pass, before branching off on our newly created ascent "trail", traversing around the base of Yates.

Mount Yamnuska stands out across the highway in the final few sunlight hours, as we rejoin with the connecting ridge.

Twin Towers and Grant MacEwan Peak silhouetted by the bright ball of fire descending behind them.

Regaining the bump in the ridge, as we enter wind city! I knew front range mountains are known for being windy...but wow!!

We opted to stay in boots the whole way back...even though we discovered how much snowshoes really do, as we retraced the short section on which we used them during our ascent! Our next target, known by many names, rises center-left.

My dad gets blown off the trail as we approach the base of Engagement Mountain! I know I said that the strongest winds I'd ever felt were on Little Copper a couple weeks prior, but somehow I think the gusts along this final open ridge (about 1000m lower) may have just beat it!!

The strong gusts force me to do some spicy dance moves :P...Also check out that tree directly behind me :o Photo credit: Dad

It eventually came time to descend off the ridge, just before reaching the base of Engagement Mountain. Here, we were absolutely abused by the wind, getting pushed back by massive gusts every time we tried to get over the edge! Photo credit: Dad

Upon reaching the point where our trail from earlier descends around the north side of Engagement Mountain, we instead traversed to the left, before route finding our way up the initially steep, snowy slopes leading up to the west.

Starting up the steep slopes. We simply took the path of least resistance aiming (as directly as we could) to gain the ridge above.

The slope eased off for a brief section, and we intercepted some previous tracks (running down the center of the photo - hard to tell)...Wonder where those came from??

Unfortunately for us, the tracks came to an abrupt end as quickly as they had appeared, strangely walking around in circles with no signs of further travel...

...Until a ways up the slope, we intercepted some tracks again! I'm so confused...

The trees begin to thin as we approach the ridge!

Pretty sunset colours in the sky.

Looking the long way back to Yates Mountain!

Travel along the ridge was much easier. We even had the treat of hiking on completely bare ground!

...But we still had to deal with our share of deep, wind-loaded snow slopes!

A clearing along the summit ridge grants a view to the southwest! The summit (treed bump far-right) is still a little ways away.

Travel along the ridge consisted of pleasant rocky ground (like this!), and patches of not-so-pleasant windblown snow! Photo credit: Dad

Summit selfie on the extremely windy Engagement Mountain! (I had to use two hands to hold my phone, or it would've taken flight!)

My dad captures me desperately trying to stand still and hold the camera steady enough to take a picture!...The wind had different plans. Photo credit: Dad

Multiple peaks blend together towards Kananaskis. Mount Baldy stands out, rising on the far-left.

Gap Peak (left) and Mount Fable (right) rise above Exshaw Mountain (treed hill below).

Looking towards Canmore, with the Three Sisters, Ship's Prow Mountain, Mount Lawrence Grassi, and Ha Ling Peak, from left to right.

Looking across to the ridge consisting of Grant MacEwan Peak (left) and Heart Mountain (right). Skogan Peak rises between them, and Mount McGillvray sits to the right of Heart.

Bad quality summit pano before heading down :P. It's too dark for pictures without a slower shutter speed, but the wind just won't chill out and cooperate for a few seconds!!

The sun had officially set when we were still on the summit, but we were able to make it to the end of the ridge before putting on headlamps as we entered the more densely forested slopes below. Photo credit: Dad

Haha, you look like the lamp from Pixar ;)

Good thing it's winter and we have tracks to follow back! Otherwise things could get real confusing...

Looking down to the highway as we reach the end of the rocky ridge, before joining with the trail that would lead us back to the highway! Since this final ridge didn't have snow, we no longer had tracks to follow! Nonetheless, we still had our GPS, and were able to safely make it down without too much trouble :)