Guinn’s pass is a 16km round trip hike from the Galatea Lakes trailhead just off highway 40. This is one of the most scenic hikes I’ve been on, and even in mid-July snow covers parts of the upper sections of the trail. It’s challenging and unless you are in good shape you should allow for a good 7.5 hours of hiking.
The first 5.0 km of the hike is on the same trail that leads to Lilian and Galatea lakes. This part is a very scenic uphill hike. At the 5.o km mark turn right at the fork in the road, and you will continue along the creek through a meadow before starting your 3.0km (elevation about 500m) ascent. It’s a good idea to bring a light jacket as it is windy at the top. The views you get from the top is well worth the effort as you can see ribbon lake, most of Buller’s pass as well all of the surrounding peaks, one of which apparently has no name.
Our acscent took roughly 4 hours and the trip back about 2 hours.
Interesting thoughts while you are hiking up here: The name Kananaskis comes from the Cree ‘Kin-e-a-kis’ and is believed to be the name of a warrior who survived an axe blow to the head. Archaeological evidence of human use of Kananaskis Country goes back over 8000 years, and the Stoney-Nakoda, Siksika, Blood, and Kootenai First Nations all have deep connection to this land.
Also think about the scale of these mountains in terms of time. These mountains took 200 million years to rise from the depths of the ocean. You are expected to live around 80 years.
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- Creeks meet
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- Along the creek
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- Very refreshing
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- Going up!
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- Snow!
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- Spring spring!
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- The peak with no name
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- Ribbon Lake
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- Ribbon Lake
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- P tree
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- Looking West
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- Ribbon valley
