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

Morning light on Mount Nestor, from the highway where we would start our ascent.

Old Goat basks in the sun as well.

We chose to follow the direct route described in Nugara's Snowshoeing Guide, and started up along the unnamed creek, just across from the Spray Lakes day-use area. After about 700m, the trail levels off and starts traversing the slope above the creek. This is where we would leave said trail, and continue to gain elevation, up through the forest on our left.

As we headed up through the forest, we soon encountered snow...and bush...

And a lot more snow! We strapped on snowshoes shortly after this photo was taken...

As they often do, the snowshoes made travel significantly easier, and we were soon breaking out of the trees, onto this open slope. The snow was super hard and crusty (spring freeze and thaw) and with our snowshoe crampons digging in, travel on this terrain was super efficient, and great fun compared to what we just left behind us.

Given the size of the slope, we stuck to climber's left, along the edge of the forest just to be safe.

Morning view down the still frozen, but no longer snow-covered, Spray Lake!

Big Sister comes into view as well!

We were approaching the ridge crest in no time, blinded by the intense sun.

The angle of the slope lessened considerably once we topped out on the ridge.

Looks like we're following someone... Photo credit: Dad

The sun casts shadows on Sparrowhawk's massive western slopes. I see why they considered it for a ski resort!

This incredible view of Spray Lake never gets old! Nestor and Old Goat tower on the opposite side.

Leisurely following the ridge.

Looking along Red Ridge's impressive north face!

Read's Tower (another snowshoe outing from earlier this year) juts out from Sparrowhawk's lower slopes.

After easily following the ridge for a few hundred meters, we encountered the first of two noticeable dips.

This one doesn't pose much of a problem, but we were forced to throw our snowshoes back on our packs to navigate the bouldery slope on the opposite side.

Incredible view of Mount Buller to the south!

Shortly after the first dip, we arrived at the second which can become significantly more serious depending on conditions. We initially found ourselves above a short cliff band, but quickly discovered an easier slope leading down on the left.

The steep, rubbly slope that rises across the dip. Not somewhere you want to be when it's snow-loaded! Luckily for us, the rocks were out, and we didn't have much trouble scrambling straight up to the ridge above.

Descending the dip in the ridge. Photo credit: Dad

Up we go.

Our tracks show the route around the minor cliffs.

This slope is steep!

Once past the "crux" slope, the ridge became tame once more, and we simply continued east, towards the summit.

The Tower and Mount Engadine come into view over Buller's east ridge, while Buller itself continues to impress, as it has the whole trip.

While we stayed near the ridge crest for most of the ascent, we also dropped down to the right at times, to avoid HUGE cornices overhanging the north face.

The final slope to the summit comes into view!

This is why you'll want to keep a safe distance from the edge! Absolutely beautiful to look at though :).

Approaching the summit of Red Ridge.

Looking east from the summit, the close up view of Mount Bogart did not disappoint!

Mount Assiniboine meets the clouds beyond Cone Mountain, with Eon and Aye rising to the left.

Big Sister highlights the view to the north, with Rundle to the left, and Rimwall to the right.

Neat angle of Old Goat Mountain, towering over Spray Lake.

Mount Nestor's east face is impressive as well.

Standing on the summit of Red Ridge, with Spray Lake in the background! Photo credit: Dad

My dad, with Mount Buller.

Eon Mountain pierces the sky beyond the south end of Spray Lake.

A long wall rises to the northeast, with Sparrowhawk on one end, and Bogart on the other!

Looking back to the long, curving length of Spray Lake. The peaks visible (from left to right) include, Smuts, Buller, Turner, Eon, Assiniboine, Cone, Nestor, and Old Goat.

The Tower, Engadine, Smuts (distant) and Buller, rise over Red Peak's west ascent ridge.

Our entry in the summit register.

Shadowy view of the impressive Mount Bogart.

Mount Sparrowhawk was my first mountain over 3000m back in 2015, and brings back fond memories of my early scrambling "career".

Red Peak rises from the low col to the south. We were tempted to try and reach its summit from this side, but decided it might not be the best idea with the midday sun.

One last view of the snowy basin below Mount Bogart before heading down.

Descending the summit slope.

These cornices are sooooo big!!

Looking back to our tracks.

Recent avalanche activity down the steep connecting ridge between Sparrowhawk and Bogart.

Since we were lazy, and didn't want to take our snowshoes off again, we looked for an alternative (aka less rocky) route down the crux slope.

After descending to skier's left of our ascent route, we then had to make a steep traverse back to our right to reach the low point in the ridge. You'll want good snowshoe crampons for this!

Snowshoes still on - Mission accomplished ;)!

Our descent route (yellow) in relation to our ascent route (red).

Still too stubborn to take our snowshoes off, we navigated the next rocky slope with them on as well! LOL.

Last look at Mount Sparrowhawk.

Leaving the ridge, and starting down the direct approach route.

The joys of spring snowshoe ascents! With the temperatures having risen drastically from the morning, there was no chance we could safely descend the open slopes that we had made quick work of earlier in the day. That hard crusty stuff had melted to become isothermal snow, and we were stuck thrashing through the bushes on skier's right.

Looking back into the forest as we rejoin with the lower trail. Once we passed the steep upper section, the rest of the descent was fast, as we easily retraced our steps through the steep forest. Once back on the trail, all that was left was a quick hike out to the highway...And that's how you end off the season! With my favourite day of the whole "winter" (I consider there two seasons: Summer (aka Scrambling Season) and Winter (aka Skiing and Snowshoeing Season)) the previous day, followed by this beautiful day on Red Ridge, I couldn't have asked for a better two days before hanging the 'shoes and skis up for a few months. Now off to visit my sister in Victoria for a couple weeks! Maybe I can nab a couple summits while I'm there ;).