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

The well-travelled trail begins on the east side of the Wasootch Parking Area, and quickly gains elevation up to the ridge.

"Mountain Catkins"!...Kinda like normal catkins, but on a mountain ;).

There aren't many places to go wrong on this one. Once you reach the broad ridge, simply follow it, with all its ups and downs.

Some parts are steeper than others.

We finally got a glimpse of our objective, and it's not close! The summit of Wasootch Ridge is barely visible, very distant center.

Another look at the goal, as we inch towards it. Even fully zoomed in, it still looks far away! The weather was quite depressing at this point, but that would soon change :).

Tiara Peak rises from scattered clouds.

A close look at Kananaskis Peak's snowy east face.

Walking the ridge.

The sun lights up Wasootch Peak, directly across the valley, to the west.

Old Baldy peeks out of the clouds.

Midnight and Midday Peaks come into view beyond Porcupine Ridge in the opposite direction.

Looking back to Barrier Lake, with Yates Mountain rising at its base.

Is it just me, or is it not looking any closer??

Loving the low clouds!

There are a few ups and downs to contend with along the ridge, but that's all to note in terms of "difficulties", as it's simply an on-trail hike until the final 150 vertical meters.

Now it's starting to look closer! (ish...)

Beautiful view down the valley to the west.

Focussing in on bits of sunlight.

Focussing in on bits of sunlight.

Starting to look a tad intimidating...

The ridge narrows for a short section, adding a little bit of excitement to an otherwise uneventful ridgewalk...(The lingering ice made sure of that!)

Well this is interesting...

We soon reached the point where the ridge narrows and becomes blocky, and saw two trail runners (who had passed us earlier) turning around. They said that the terrain was a bit too much to stomach, and were calling it a day. With this information in mind, we were prompted to descend a short scree slope to climber's right, to try traversing below the slabby ridge crest. Definitely not the day to try a difficult route with all the slippery snow!

At the base of the slabs, we found a narrow scree trail and easily continued down it.

Looking back up the short, scree slope we descended.

Traversing far below the ridge crest.

Those are some impressive slabs! Note the traverse trail, characterised by the narrow line of snow.

The cliffs eventually petered out, and we were able to easily scramble up scree slopes to regain the ridge crest.

Once on the ridge crest it's just a short traverse to the summit. This short traverse was complicated however, by lingering snow making the "bouldery" terrain quite slick!

Looking towards the summit.

Comprehensive view to the south upon reaching the summit of Wasootch Ridge! Tiara Peak, Bryant Ridge Peaks 3, 4, 5, and 6, and finally Mount McDougall from left to right.

Summit selfie!

Three peaks from the long Bryant Ridge Traverse form a wall to the east.

Crown Peaks, Tiara, Belmore Browne, and Boundary form a bit of a horseshoe, and might make for a good traverse along with Porcupine Ridge!

A hole in the clouds lets the sun break through, casting a spotlight on Bryant Ridge Peak 5.

Wasootch Peak's double summit is highlighted for a brief moment. Wasootch Tower sits bottom right.

Kananaskis Peak is another nearby scramble that I'd like to try.

Midnight and Midday Peaks make for a good early season outing.

I wonder if you could continue down Wasootch Ridge, and scramble right up Bryant 5...?

Tiara Peak definately stands out as one of the more impressive front range peaks in the area.

This in-your-face, close-up view of Old Baldy's east face would be quite stunning on a clear day...Unfortunately it hid deep in the clouds.

Mount McDougall rises to the south, which I'm hoping to combine with the aforementioned Old Baldy for a two-summit day.

One of my favourite views from our summit stay was this lighting on Bryant 4, emphasized by the dark stormy background.

My dad sits proudly on Wasootch Ridge's apex.

Me, with some of "The Bryants" in the background. Photo credit: Dad

There wasn't much to see back to the north, but Lorette (center-left) and Skogan (distant-center) eventually shook most of their cloud cover.

Rays of light scattered across Bryant Ridge 5's snowy slopes.

I'd heard that Wasootch Ridge was a very popular outing, and was therefore surprised not to find a register...Even the summit cairn was barely distinguishable, and I had to build it up. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Unsure if the point just down the ridge was higher, we continued along until the ridge dropped down significantly. Photo credit: Dad

Looking back to the summit. It turns out that the first point is in fact higher and the offical summit.

The view here was nearly identical...but we were able to see down the final length of the valley which was kinda cool.

It's a long ridge back!

Heading back down the summit ridge.

Old Baldy was finally able to escape the clouds as we descended, revealing the entirety of its sheer east face!

We stayed on the ridge slightly longer on descent (before heading down the scree slopes to skier's left), wanting to see what the rest of the ridge looked like from above. From what we could see, the first stretch actually looked quite simple, but I think the "scramble-ability" of the route falls off near the first section of slabs. Unfortunately, it appears that there's a notch in the ridge where a smooth wall impedes progress. We didn't get close enough to really stick our noses in, but I'm guessing that's what turned the runners back earlier.

Retracing our steps along the much easier, lower traverse route.

Although easy in terms of technicality, I'd avoid this route when this slope is blanketed with snow...Avalanche danger is definitely a concern, as this recent activity shows!

Looking back at our approximate route to the summit, before heading back up to the ridge crest, for a long hike down.

Snowy Mount Collembola comes into view for the first time as we near the highway.

A muddy, slushy trail leads back down to the highway...Things are definitely heating up in the Rockies! Although Wasootch Ridge isn't the grandest of objectives, it makes for a good early season outing, when most (but not all) of the snow has melted. The long ridge may feel endless at times, but the reward is a unique view, deep in a secluded valley, surrounded by a horseshoe of mountains (all of which are scrambles!) unseen from the highway.