Rawson Lake Ridge Route Map (see link in desciption - or click here - for interactive version).

Early morning view towards the Opal Range, as we make our way along the south shore of Upper Kananaskis Lake.

We soon reached the branch heading up to Rawson Lake and began up the nicely packed trail. A nice benefit of later season snowshoe ascents...There are actually trails!!

The next 2km were a nice warm-up, and with a brisk pace we soon emerged at Rawson Lake, which is just as beautiful in winter as it is in summer! Mount Sarrail's incredible east face looms above, with our objective sitting modestly on the far-right side of the frame.

Pretty lighting on the upper cliffs.

Although the views at this point were already stunning, this was not the final goal, and we didn't waste much time, before crossing the outlet stream (luckily still heavily snow-bridged), and headed into the forest.

So much for having a trail! I guess the popularity of this area ends at the lake...Luckily the snow was fairly supportive and travel wasn't too bad, for now...

We began by backtracking in a northerly direction, and as Nugara mentions, the terrain quickly steepens, and we soon found ourselves sidehilling. After our ankles reached their fill (it didn't take long!), we started straight up the STEEP forested slopes, aiming for the eastern end of the summit ridge.

Looking back.

It was a real grind, and even though the morning started off chilly, we were sweating buckets as the sun started to break through the trees. Even though it was super steep, we were still in fairly dense forest, which gave us a sense of security...

Well...At least it did! As we neared the ridge, we began to encounter large open patches! Due to more and more deadfall appearing in the steep forested terrain, we were forced to ascend on the edge of these open slopes.

Did I mention that this route is STEEP?! Just prior to this picture, we had to cross over this slope. Luckily, a horizontal line of trees made this task a bit less risky!

The final stretch up to the ridge!

Incredible views began to open up behind us, as the trees continued to thin! Mount Fox rises to the right of The Turret.

Upon topping out on the ridge, we were granted our first view over Kananaskis Lakes!

Mount Indefatigable rises across the way.

Super cool bird's eye view of Upper Kananaskis Lake!

Mount Sir Douglas comes into view, rising to 3406m, as we continue up the ridge.

Eventually the terrain became bare enough to warrant a switch to microspikes.

Looking ahead, along the remainder of the ridge.

It's a long way down! Once on the ridge, you haven't escaped all hazards quite yet! The ridge does narrow at some points, with a sheer drop down to Upper Kananaskis Lake on your right, and a super steep snow gully (just waiting to slide!) on your left! Although it would be a walk in the park in summer, cornices can make for quite a dangerous situation!

Continuing along the summit ridge.

Finally standing on the TRUE summit of Rawson Lake (aka Sarrail) Ridge! Photo credit: Dad

Summit selfie!

Hidden Lake can't hide from us up here ;)!

What a unique view!

Fox, Foch, and Sarrail tower over us, to the south!

Close-up of stunning Mount Sarrail. Surprisingly, this beast is just an easy scramble! But that doesn't mean it'll make for a short day...

Mount Foch is just as long, but significantly more technical!

Zooming in to Mount Fox, another difficult scramble.

The Turret ends off the horseshoe, and, you guessed it, is also a scramble! So much left to explore in the area!

Sir Douglas' southeast face rises from glaciated terrain, with Robertson and Jellicoe to the right.

Mount Rae is a big mountain!

Looking over Lower Kananaskis Lake to the jagged Opal Range.

Sir Douglas, Robertson, Jellicoe, Hermione, Nomad, Warspite, and Invincible, from left to right.

Mount Lyautey rises beyond an outlier.

Being so close to the amazing, vertical, east face of Mount Sarrail, plastered with snow, was truly incredible!

Looking back to the summit, after we continued down the ridge to a minor col, and then up to a twin summit, just slightly west.

That right there is what 1000 vertical meters looks like!

Looking down to the "tourist Sarrail Ridge". We were so close!

Rawson Lake's blank, white canvas now lies almost 450m below.

Various cliff layers on the opposite side.

My dad, on the second of the two summits.

Me, with a similar view. Photo credit: Dad

Following our footprints back to the ever-so-slightly higher summit.

Avalanche!! As we made our way back down the ridge, we noticed an avalanche ripping down Sarrail's northeast face! (I was only able to catch the end of it on camera.)

Always neat to look back at our tracks :).

Given our early start, it was only around 11am...but temperatures were on the rise. (It is May after all!) We hurried back along the summit ridge, hoping to not give the sun too much of a head start, as it beat down on our ascent slope.

Following the ridge.

It turns out that we weren't quite quick enough! As we descended from the ridge, we could already tell that the slope just didn't have the same stability that it had a couple hours ago...We started down with just our microspikes (for some more security), but were soon sinking down to our hips, and had no option but to strap the snowshoes back on.

We soon reached the horizontal wall of trees, and traversed back to the opposite side of the open slope. (My dad blends in with the trees, center.)

The traverse. These trees are life savers!

If you've ever snowshoed on wet, heavy, steep snow, you know how unstable it feels! The snowshoes just want to sit on the top layer and slide! These conditions forced us to descend very slowly and methodically.

We were relieved to leave the open slopes behind and enter the forest, sheltered from the sun's direct rays.

The rest of the descent was a breeze, and we made quick work of the steep, forested terrain, soon arriving back at the lake.

Upon reaching Rawson Lake's shores, we sat down with another group, gazing up at avalanches booming down Sarrail's east face, and commenting on the millions of tiny black bugs (snow fleas?) covering the snow.

Our approximate route up Rawson Lake Ridge.

Fast shutter speed...

...or slow shutter speed?

Rawson Lake Ridge, as seen from the parking lot after an uneventful trek down the Rawson Lake Trail. Boy, was it a weight off my shoulders to finally bag that one! It turns out that Rawson Lake Ridge makes for quite an enjoyable outing (rock or snow), and I didn't mind the return trip one bit. The ascent slopes are bloody steep, and could definitely slide in certain conditions, but use caution, and you'll be rewarded with some stellar summit views! We didn't want to drive back to Edmonton just yet (well...we actually never do), so what else can we do in the area...?