Having enjoyed our little larch hunting trip last September, my mom was eager to see the pretty fall colours again this year, and I just couldn't help myself from tagging along. My unscratchable "mountain itch" was only growing stronger, and after going to physio for the past month I decided it was time to test out my ankle again and see how it held up on an "easy" mountain.

As we turned off from the Trans Canada and onto Hwy 40, we were met with the depressing sight of thick grey cloud engulfing all but the "frontest" of the front range peaks. We were originally hoping to drive deeper into Kananaskis to "ooh" and "ahh" over the celebrites of the Rockies at this time of year (ie. larches), but couldn't bring ourselves to leave the small patch of sunlight at the gateway to the Rockies, and pulled off at a surprisingly empty Barrier Lake parking lot instead.

Jewell Peak was genuinely the only mountain in the vicinity that I hadn't climbed yet, so that made my decision easy as we bundled up for a very windy walk around the eastern shore of Barrier Lake. As we rounded the lake to the sheltered cutline along its north side, our walk became significantly more pleasant and we soon found ourselves shedding layers and pausing every few minutes to admire all the beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow leaves vibrantly popping out from their evergreen neighbours. While I can almost guarantee the Highwood Pass parking lots were bursting at the seams even dispite the dull, whiteout conditions, we had this autumn paradise completely to ourselves, just because the trees surrounding us weren't called "larches". Gotta love the social media effect. LOL.

After a leisurely 4 km stroll around the lake, we arrived at the Jewell Pass Trail junction and started up the narrow path along the creek, kept on our toes by the odd mountain biker that came ripping down the single track! The weather was slowly starting to deteriorate, with dark clouds threatening just over Jewell Peak to the west, but I was hopeful that the storm wouldn't make any further advancements and we soon arrived at my chosen drainage (easily identified by a bridge crossing over a waterfall), which I prompty started up while my parents continued their hike to Jewell Pass.

As I made my way up the bushy drainage I quickly realized that I was in for a little bit more than I bargained for on this particular day. The smooth boulders underfoot were quickly becoming slick as rain drops began to fall, and I was immediately regretting my choice of wearing my old, worn out, grip-less boots for this "easy" scramble...The whole point of climbing this mountain was to test out my ankle - not break it!! Oh well! I'd already come this far so there was nothing to do but take it slow, choose each step carefully and not do anything overly stupid!

I tried to avoid the slippery, ankle-breaking creekbed as much as I could, and bushwhacked on one side or the other - frequently crossing back and forth as I hunted down the path of least resistance. Faint animal trails were always a welcome sight, but they never lasted as long as I would have liked and I still had to deal with my fair share of deadfall obstacle courses and slick boulder hopping. I had a few close calls, slipping on a wet rock or tripping over a tree branch, and each time I'd pause, wonder if my ankle was going to hate me for what I was doing, and ask myself if this mountain was really worth it. I guess it was, because each time I continued onward. 😂

After a longer than expected "streamwhack" I finally arrived at the base of Jewell Peak's NW scree ascent slopes. I couldn't believe how "close" I was to the ridge above and genuinely believed I would reach it in another 15-20 minutes...NOPE! The valley fell away below me as I quickly gained elevation on solid rock ribs, but the twin summits rising above just never seemed to get any closer! What I could've sworn was only 100 m from the drainage ended up being over three times that far, and my cramping thighs made sure to remind me how out of shape being an injured couch potato all summer makes you as I inched my way towards the deceptively distant summit ridge.

As I neared the ridge, I considered sidehilling over to the west summit first, saving on some elevation gains and losses, but knew that I was already testing my luck with my fragile ankle and decided to stick to more "ankle-friendly" terrain - ascending directly to the east summit before following the ridge to the west.

Views from the east (true) summit of Jewell Peak were largely obstructed by low cloud, but I was thankful that my peak remained one of the few holding out on the edge of the whiteout and enjoyed a unique view down to Barrier Lake before the icy autumn wind chased me down the ridge towards the slightly lower, but more impressive-looking west summit.

I knew an easier route existed by ascending the summit block around its left (south) side, but I was itching to stick my nose into some challenging terrain again and tackled the ridge head on. After ascending two short steps of difficult scrambling (at least they felt that way as I clung to the cold, damp rock with my nearly numb, exposed finger tips!), the terrain eased off and I easily made the final few steps to a waiting summit cairn.

Keeping my camera lens clean was a losing battle as the relentless wind "sprayed" me with rain (and even briefly snow!), and after spending way too much time wiping water droplets off my lens and not much time actually taking pictures, I accepted defeat and descended the easier, scree bypass before retracing my steps back up to the east summit.

For my descent I continued following the NE ridge for a short distance before dropping back down the NW ascent slopes. I was hoping to utilize what appeared to be "softer" scree to skier's right of the solid rock rib I ascended, and although it wasn't anywhere near the best scree-skiing I've experienced, it wasn't the worst either, and I was surprised to find myself back in the drainage only 10 minutes after leaving the summit ridge!

Following the drainage out wasn't any more fun than following it in had been. The wet boulders had only become wetter and after one particularly hard fall I decided I'd had enough of the creekbed and vowed to stay out of it for the remainder of the descent - no matter how bad the bushwhacking got. For the most part I found that skier's right of the drainage offered better travel higher up, while skier's left worked well for the final stretch leading up to the Jewell Pass Trail.

A confused group of mountain bikers watched me from the bridge as I marched out of the drainage, clearly wanting some answers and leaving me and my two little legs in the dust once they had them. I picked up my pace, enjoying the luxury of being back on a trail, and before I knew it I was down at Barrier Lake, wishing I too had my bike as I power-walked the final 4 km to the parking lot.

Even though the weather didn't cooperate the way I'd hoped, it felt so rejuvenating to be out climbing a mountain again! There's just something about pushing your body in these beautiful landscapes that can't be replicated, and I genuinely believe I'm a happier and healthier person when mountain climbing is part of my regular schedule. Call me an addict, I don't care. There's worse things I could be addicted to IMO! As for my ankle, let's just say it wasn't too happy with me after this little adventure of mine, but that's a me problem...

Photo Gallery

Baldy, Mary Barclay's, Skogan, Jewell, and McConnell Ridge rise across a very windy Barrier Lake.

A closer look at the objective.

Beautiful autumn colours line the mountainside as we start our hike around Barrier Lake.

Bright pops of colour accompany us as we hike along the Stoney Trail.

Jewell Peak rises straight ahead as we continue down the Stoney Trail.

Branching off the Stoney Trail as we head towards Jewell Pass.

Splashes of gold in a sea of green.

Making our way up the Jewell Pass Trail.

Leaving the Jewell Pass Trail and starting up my chosen drainage.

Hiking along the edge of the drainage to avoid the deadfall-ridden creekbed.

I chose to go right at this major fork in the drainage, but apparently there's also a more direct route up the north face by taking the left branch.

Smooth, slippery boulders. Just what an injured ankle needs...

Some parts of the drainage are worse than others. This was one of those parts.

I had to bushwhack to avoid sections that would've been easy friction slabs had they not been soaking wet.

Catching my first glimpse of Jewell's NW ascent slopes as I near the end of the drainage.

Another minor fork. This time I went left.

Finally escaping the narrow confines of the drainage with my ascent slopes rising straight ahead.

Starting up Jewell Peak's extremely foreshortened NW ascent slopes.

Solid rock ribs like these made for an easy ascent.

Looking back to Grant MacEwan Peak as I gain elevation up Jewell's NW scree bowl.

Views down to the entirety of Barrier Lake from the east (true) summit of Jewell Peak.

Dark clouds loom beyond Jewell's slightly lower twin summit to the west.

Easily following the connecting ridge to the more impressive west tower.

Approaching the west summit of Jewell Peak. I chose to ascend directly up the nose, but a much easier route exists by traversing around the summit block to climber's left and ascending a scree chute.

Looking up the first crux step on the summit block.

The second step. Here, I scrambled up on the left side of the central crack.

Looking down from the top of the second crux step.

Nearing the summit cairn with the easy scree chute I would take on descent directly below it.

Skogan and McGillivray form the wall rising across Heart Creek with "Catherine Barclay's" and Mary Barclay's poking out from the connecting ridge to the south (left) and Grant MacEwan and Heart down the connecting ridge to the north (right).

Looking back to the east "tower" from the top of the west "tower".

The connecting ridge to Grant MacEwan Peak and Heart Mountain. Note the major cliffband about halfway down the traverse. It has been downclimbed, but from what I've heard it's not for the faint of heart. Apparently it can also be bypassed by dropping down on the east side of the ridge and skirting the base of it.

I have fond memories from scrambling Mount McGillivray last year.

Descending the south side of the summit block via the easy scree bypass.

Adding to the register as I pass back over the east tower.

Checking out Jewell Peak's steep east face, before starting back down the NW slopes to the drainage below.

On the hunt for "soft" scree as I descend the NW bowl.

Back in the soggy drainage.

The price of staying in the creekbed. Ouch!

The price of avoiding the creekbed.

Open sections of forest offered a nice break between the mini obstacle courses.

The 'shwack continues as I avoid the creekbed at all costs.

Arriving back at the bridge and the Jewell Pass Trail.

Mount Baldy juts out across Barrier Lake, as I follow the Stoney Trail back to the parking lot.

Hiking out along the Stoney Trail - a little bit muddier than it was a few hours earlier.