How to Hike Wasootch Ridge in Kananaskis

If you’re looking for a breathtaking and challenging day hike in Kananaskis then Wasootch Ridge is a great option.

From the outskirts of Calgary, you can get to the Wasootch Ridge parking lot in just under an hour if the highway isn’t too crowded. 

Wasootch Ridge is one of the best hikes in Kananaskis (not the easiest though) if you ask us. We love that you can get amazing views throughout the entire hike.

Even though it’s not one of the easy hikes in Kananaskis it’s definitely one of the best ones. So enjoy your hike up Wasootch Ridge!

If you by chance stumbled on this and looking for one of the easiest summits in Kananaskis then check out Yates Mountain. Stunning but way easier to summit than Wasootch!

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Everything you need to know about hiking the Wasootch Ridge trail

Wasootch Ridge is your typical in-and-out hike. Most hikes in Kananaskis are in and outs so this one is no different.

It’s a steep incline right from the beginning just like Vision Quest near Nordegg (one of our favorite hikes in the province). But once you get past the first bit of incline you start to walk along the ridges for the rest of the hike. 

It does end up feeling like you’re on a rollercoaster by the end of it with all the ups and downs along the ridge.

Luckily, even though you are in the trees, it is very open and you’ll have views for days. There are expansive views of Wasootch Creek and up and down the Kananaskis Valley.

The initial climb and ridge walk isn’t that difficult but we would definitely rate it as a moderate hike due to the incline and length of the hike.

It is a rewarding hike and very enjoyable since it is basically open for the majority of the hike.

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Practical information about Wasootch Ridge

Distance: 15.4 km return / 9.56 miles return
Elevation: 1451 m / 4761 ft. elevation gain
Type: Out and back
Length: 4.5-6.5 hours return to the furthest peak.
Difficulty: Moderate up until the cairn, then the scramble to the summit is difficult.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

What to expect when doing the Wasootch Ridge hike in Kananaskis

Most people end up hiking Wasootch Ridge until they get to the cairn which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

It is a good turnback point because it offers almost the same views as it would if you scramble to the top of Wasootch Peak but without having to do all the technical scrambling. 

There are still a few tricky parts to get to the cairn but nothing extremely crazy.

The majority of the ridge walk is not exposed at all and the ups and downs are relatively mellow so it can be a very relaxing and enjoyable hike if you have the time. 

Fun fact: Hiking in Kananaskis was the first time Jo had ever been exposed to hiking EVER. Denmark isn’t really known for its hiking, unlike the Rockies.

Anyways, back to the point! The panoramic views definitely make it worthwhile so there’s no problem with taking breaks every so often along Wasootch Ridge and admiring the views.

The cairn is also very easy to spot and the trail is easy to follow so you shouldn’t have too many problems navigating your way up and down the mountain.

Wasootch Ridge Summit Climb 

If you are an experienced hiker and enjoy hiking over scree and scrambling then make sure you try and make it to the summit!

Once you get past the cairn, you will continue towards the last peak along the side of the mountain until your final push-up. It is challenging and does take some time but it’s super rewarding!

We would highly recommend hiking in Kananaskis during the summer months due to the amount of snow that can accumulate.

We recommend going with a group of people who are also comfortable scrambling up through scree, especially since the last part is not for everyone. 

We managed to summit Wasootch Peak but it was difficult with a few tricky spots. So be well prepared and add an extra hour and a half to return from the cairn.

If you want a more easy hike in the Kananaskis, check out Chester Lake Trail or even Yates Mountain

Here’s a map of the beginning of the trail

Hiking Tip: Look up the trail on AllTrails before starting your hike 🗺️. You can find important trail information such as recent wildlife sights and trail closures. Check out the free version here or get a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+ here.

Camping in Kananaskis

So the good news is that there is a camping in Kananaskis but there is only one option with an actual campsite in the area and it may be full.

Otherwise, you can try Barrier Lake which isn’t a campground but a good last resort if you need somewhere to stay.

Eau Claire campground

Thankfully, Eau Claire is only 15 minutes away from the Wasootch Ridge parking lot.

Eau Claire Campground has 51 spots and costs $29 a night which isn’t too bad. If you’re going with multiple cars, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to drop off a car at Eau Claire and then commute to Wasootch.

That way it will most likely guarantee you a spot before you go do the hike. Especially during the summer, hiking in Kananaskis gets extremely busy.

Barrier Lake camping

So basically throughout the day lots of tourists and locals with go visit Barrier Lake and it’s also a popular starting meet up point for people hiking in Kananaskis. So there will be lots of cars and people but it quiets down in the evening.

Once you finish Wasootch Ridge you can drive back toward Barrier Lake and find a spot to stay the night. As long as you don’t sleep in too late or make a mess no one should disturb you.

You’re basically boon-docking for the night. So if can sleep in your van it would definitely be better, otherwise just find a quiet spot where you can stay for the night.

How to get to Wasootch Ridge

From anywhere in Calgary

• It’s an hour drive from Calgary to the Wasootch Ridge trail parking lot.
• The directions from Calgary to Wasootch Ridge Trailhead can be found here.
• Stop at Barrier Lake before hand and admire the beauty of it.

From anywhere in Edmonton

• It’s just under a 4 hour drive from Edmonton to Wasootch Ridge.
• The directions from Edmonton to Wasootch Ridge trailhead can be found here.

The turnoff for Wasootch Ridge is just passed Barrier Lake on the left-hand side. The turnoff is easy to see and the google directions work well for this hike so use them! =)

It is a fairly easy trailhead to find too so don’t worry about that. The trailhead is located on the east side of the parking lot just past a few picnic tables and hidden by a screen of pine trees.

You will see the Wasootch Creek sign, which isn’t where the hike starts. You have to go left from there and you will see the path going into the trees. 

Before you hike Wasootch Ridge

The first thing you should do before you go is to check if the trail is open and if there are any warnings on it. Since so many factors come into play when hiking in this area and altitude.

We do recommend doing this hike in the later months of summer like July, August, and September. Hiking in Kananaskis can be a little tricky predicting the weather and snow conditions. Especially, since it’s a bit of a tricky hike it is nice to have the weather in your favor.

DO NOT GO during bad weather. You’re very exposed on this hike and if a thunderstorm starts this could be very dangerous if not life-threatening for you. Sorry to be a downer, but as we always say: “Safety first”!

We would also recommend you to tell someone about your plans, just in case something were to happen. Better safe than sorry!

Especially since there may be limited to no reception while you’re out on the hike. We had reception at the summit but you may not be as lucky.

You can check the recent comments about the Wasootch trail. If people see wildlife on the path they will likely put an update for the Wasootch Creek area.

In case the trail is closed, you can try out an easy day hike in Kananaskis such as Chester Lake Trail or a moderate one like Jumpingpound Summit Trail.

Leave no trace

When you go hiking (and do other outdoor adventure activities), always remember to follow the 7 principles of leaving no trace.

This means:

1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of others.

Be bear aware

When hiking in bear territory, you can take specific precautions to minimize the likelihood of a bear encounter.

Bears typically have no interest in encountering humans, so by implementing these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering them.

Some of the easiest precautions you can take are:

• Make noise and let the bears know you’re there.
• Be alert by paying attention to your surroundings and watching for signs of bear activities.
• Hike in groups of 4 or more whenever possible.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Check online to see if there’s been any recent bear activity in the area.
• Bring bear spray wherever you go. It’s your last line of defence and even though you hopefully never have to use it, it may just be the thing that saves your life. Make sure you know how to use bear spray as well before you go hiking.

If you ever see a bear in the wild, there are a few tips and things you should remember :

• Stay calm and slowly back away from where you saw the bear. Keep an eye on the bear but continue to walk backwards away from its territory.
• Start looking for a safe place to go. Try and get to another group of hikers. The bigger the group the better.
• Know that black bears and grizzly bears act differently so it’s important to identify what type of bear you’re seeing and then know how to act accordingly!!

Here is a great article from Parks Canada about bear safety, encounters, and attacks.

What to bring for Wasootch Ridge

This is a fairly long hike and can take up to 6.5 hours to do (if not more) so bring enough of what you need and limit what you don’t need.

The weather changes quickly up there so maybe it’s safe to bring a light jacket and extra socks even on a warm day. You just never know in the Rockies.

Packing list for Wasootch Ridge:

• Water! We always fill up our LifeStraw bottles before going on a hike. Unfortunately there isn’t much water on this hike but maybe after the hike you can fill it up somewhere.
• Sunscreen is good to have especially during the summer months in Alberta. For the most of Wasootch Ridge you are exposed to the sun and it does get quite hot during Alberta Summers.
• A power bank is nice to have because you don’t want to run out of battery while hiking in the mountains. Wasootch Ridge hike is fairly long, so a power bank will come in handy.
• You’ll definitely want to pack a bunch of food for your day trip! Although there is a Tim Hortons a 10-minute drive from the trailhead, it’s good to plan in advance and bring a bunch of snacks and lunch.
• Remember to pay for and bring your Kananaskis Conservation Pass. 
• Bear spray! Kananaskis and the Canadian Rockies is bear territory. Bring your bear spray and know how to use it!
• Hiking poles are great to have on this hike! There’s a decent amount of elevation so having your hiking poles with you is a good idea.
  
  You can check out this great list of hiking gear to get some more inspiration!

You may also like…

• 3 Hikes Near Bragg Creek That Make an Epic Day Trip
• How to hike Chester Lake Trail – Kananaskis
• Jumpingpound Summit Trail – Moderate Day Hike Near Brag Creek
• Black Rock Mountain – Remote Day Hike near Calgary
• How to Hike up Yates Mountain Lookout From Barrier Lake

Recap of hiking Wasootch Ridge in Kananaskis

• This hike is very close to Barrier Lake, so stop and enjoy the views after the hike (check out Yates Mountain one day). You might also want to dip your feet and calves in the ice-cold water. It’s great for recovering!
• Wasootch Ridge is dog-friendly up to the cairn.
• Kananaskis is known for hiking so there are tons of other awesome options as well. if you love this one we have a few more hike we recommend in the area.

We hope you enjoy Wasootch Ridge and its beautiful views as much as we did! Enjoy and stay safe out there!

Once you’ve done the hike, please let us know in the comments below what you think of it! Or if you make it to the real summit and how hard you found it.

You can even reach out to us on Instagram if you have questions about the hike or anything!

Jo said it was one of the scariest summit scrambles she’s ever done! 😉

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