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

Mount Indefatigable as seen from the Interlakes parking lot, at the end of Kananaskis Lakes Trail. The route enters the forest, and ascends the obvious ridge angling right across the middle of the frame.

You don't have to go far to get some incredible views! Just after leaving the parking lot, and starting along the upper lakes shores, we were granted this beautiful view across the lake. I've never seen Upper Kananaskis Lake from this side before!

The decommissioned trail sign where we turned off to the right. Hopefully the bears are still sleeping!

Starting up the trail.

We soon reached the almost completely bare ridge.

Mount Lyautey's eastern outlier looks mighty impressive from this angle!

As we gained elevation, we encountered more snow in the sheltered terrain, and after losing sight of the trail, simply angled towards the ridge crest (climber's right).

Looking back to the ever-improving views across the lake.

Reaching the (once again) bone dry ridge.

My dad follows me up.

The heavily corniced Mount Indefatigable rises above, with a significant frozen waterfall below!

Me, on what I believe to be Wendy Elekes Viewpoint...? Just a big, flat clearing along the ridge ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Photo credit: Dad

We continued on, up the ridge a short ways, to see if we could improve upon the already beautiful views with some extra effort.

As we made our way up the ridge, I kept gazing up to Mount Indefatigable, wishing I could get 'er done today. Unfortunately that would be suuuper risky, and I'll have to wait until that snow is gone :(.

Lower Kananaskis Lake's 8+ km length lies directly below a steep drop, off the east side of the ridge.

Gap Mountain almost completely blends in with the big, slabby mass of Elpoca Mountain towering behind.

Mount Rae tops that, with an elevation of 3218m!

Mount Roberta, and the long connecting ridge to Pocaterra and Tyrwhitt, sit below the distant Mount Rae.

Zooming in to the multiple failed cornices along Indefatigable's summit ridge, along with the significant avalanches they caused!

Eventually the snow became a real burden, as we started to sink down to our knees (not pictured here). Even though we brought snowshoes, we didn't see any benefit to travelling any further, and after stubbornly breaking trail to reach the "next highpoint" (which didn't end up being a highpoint...), I'd had enough, and we headed back down the ridge.

Mount Foch and Sarrail rise over Rawson Lake Ridge, which we stood atop just a few hours ago!

Mount Fox rises over The Turret, just east of that.

I can't believe how narrow the section separating the two lakes is!!

Another view across the lake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Mount Cordonnier and Warrior Mountain rise out of a field of snow. Although it all looks like glacier (and some of it is), most of the snow field is actually just seasonal snow cover!

Following the rocky ridge down. Although we ascended in the trees to the right, the views were much better up here, so we decided to take the risk (note the steep slab on the right) and hoped the slab tapered off lower down.

We soon reached the ridge's conclusion. As luck would have it, the slabs did in fact peter out, and we were able to easily reach our ascent slopes. Although we did end up in a bit of a bushy situation...

Luckily, a short traverse to skier's right, and we were back on the trail we'd followed earlier. From there it was smooth sailing back down to the lake...Where we already saw ticks :O!! Seasons are changing!