Eagle Ridge and Mountain Scramble
View PhotosEagle Ridge and Mountain Scramble
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Even though the trail to Eagle Ridge and Eagle Mountain is way less popular than the ‘neighbours’ Coliseum and Shunda Mountains up north, it’s worth all the effort. With beautiful views that open up to the plain lands of Alberta and the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this trail is well known among the locals, but not so much by the travellers that come to hike the Nordegg Area from further.
Getting there
East from Nordegg, take a turn towards Beaverdam. Soon you’ll reach the T-junction. Take a turn left where you will be able to park near the gate.
About
When to do | May - October |
Backcountry Campsites | None |
Pets allowed | Yes - On Leash |
Route Signage | None |
Crowd Levels | Low |
Route Type | Out and back |
Eagle Ridge and Mountain Scramble
Elevation Graph
Weather
Route Description for Eagle Ridge and Mountain Scramble
The Eagle Ridge and Mountain Scramble trail is not well known and meeting other hikers here is rather uncommon, but as for a rarely used path, the trail conditions are better than one might expect. Apart from some light bushwhacking, a couple of gullies, and some light scrambling on scree, the trail is relatively easy and shouldn’t be hard to follow.
After parking, make your way further where the path will almost immediately bend towards the mountains. The big mountain in front of you is the Eagle Ridge, this is the summit you will conquer first. The Eagle Mountain is right behind it and might not be visible straight away.
By following this well-maintained trail, you will soon reach the old campground. Continue on the path that can be found on the far end of the campground.
Soon, the trail will start ascending a bit more steeply and after some more time the incline will soften up a bit.
After some time of slowly ascending, you will reach the top of a somewhat flat area between the peaks where you need to take a turn left, towards the ridge.
Continue to the top. After enjoying the views of the Nordegg area and the plainlands of Alberta to your east, start descending the same way you came.
After you return to the col, turn towards the Eagle Mountain. This ascend is steeper and higher, but technically not very difficult. On your way up, you will pass two gullies.
Observe the beautiful views on top of the Eagle Mountain and retrace your way down, back the way you hiked up.
Insider Hints
If you don’t have enough time to hike both peaks and are trying to choose the more worthy one to hike, we advise climbing the Eagle Mountain, as the views from here are a bit more dramatic.
Getting to Nordegg from Calgary through Icefields Parkway is a bit longer, but way more scenic!
You can also hike the Eagle Mountain and Eagle Ridge from the eastern side, but that path is way more overgrown.
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