In-De-Fatige-able

Let me start out with the name. I literally have to think about how to pronounce it every time I say it. The mountain actually gained its name from the Battleship that was in the Battle of Jutland in the First World War. Like most of the mountains surrounding it (little history lesson for you). Also I did this hike two summers ago, but to this day it is still one of my favourites done with some of my favourite people.

Please note that this trail in particular is decommisioned by Kananaskis country Parks due to high bear activity, so going in groups of 4 or more is highly recommended (which may now be compulsory).

This hike starts out on the in-between land that separates the Upper and Lower Kananaskis lakes. This took some route finding while driving. Coming from Banff towards Calgary we turned off the Highway 1 onto Highway 40, following that highway until reaching the Elf campground and parking at the Upper Kananaskis Lake carpark. There is more than one route able to be taken and this was the one we chose.

Once reaching the carpark head north over the concrete bridge hugging the flanks of the Upper Lake. Once crossing the bridge there is a worn trail which has a large sign warning for Grizzly bears and a few large boulders on the side. This is the trail head. Behind the sign you can see a well tracked trail which is the beginning. Winding in the trees for a while warming up the legs quickly turns into a steady climb on the rocky ridge which shortly rewards you with stunning views of both Upper and Lower Lakes.

Myself, Grace, Naja & Will trudging up the Ridge

This hike was one of the first in my Canadian list and also one of the first for me that season, so I was not at my fittest state and had never really experienced a scramble or scree before. So the first half with the Ridgeline walk with unrelentless incline did take its toll on me. This was however well worth it as the entire time you are parallel to the Lower Kananaskis lake and can see the entirety of it. Every now on then you dart in between tress but nothing substantial to give you shade and a break. This to me as the harder part of the hike just due to the sheer steady incline that gave little to no break on the legs ( especially when they are short like mine).

Naja, Will and Grace overlooking the bowl with Lower Kananaskis lake in the back

Eventually the trail forks and we chose to stick left. This takes you away from the ridge and into some wildflower meadows (super gorgeous), but PLEASE do not pick the flowers like we did (stupid,I know). Since this hike I have learnt the importance of leaving the flowers as is and just admiring them from behind a lense and taking that memory or just admiring from afar. This pathway also winds in and around the pines giving a little break on the legs now and again eventually peaking out at the ridge again but overlooking the bowl of Indefatigable. To the right is the Lower lake still with amazing views and then in front inside the bowl is a alpine lake. You can chose to hike this route - which is the right path at the fork- which takes you down into the bowl and round the lake before retreating back up to the Ridgeline which takes you to the North Summit (harder route). I have heard of many stories from other hikers which took this route or have seen from where we stood that Grizzlies frequent that alpine lake, mothers and cubs especially, so we chose to opt out of that.

Me dying looking at the trail behind me

From that ridge overlooking the bowl the trail continues upwards weaving in and around meadows and pines before transforming into a dirt and scree track. Switch backing up the flanks of the mountain the loose dirt and scree turns into more a scramble and rock climb. This was my first experience doing this but the incline isn't that much as you are more traversing. There is no true visible path but there are markers which lead you in the correct direction (which helped me a lot). I recommend taking you're time in this part as a quick slip of foot could easily roll an ankle. Slowly but steadily the rock garden diminishes into scree on the ridge of the top of the mountain. From here the weather station is visible (was our final destination) but is just a few hundred metres up ridge. Steady incline and loose scree are the final frontiers but feel like a lifetime and slog after the un-relentless incline you've already endured.

The weather station provides a much needed shelter from the sun as well as wind (it literally blew me away up there) and a nice little seat to enjoy one of the most beautiful sandwich and beer spots.

Myself, Naja and Grace trying to to fly away in the wind. Upper Kananaskis and Sarrail in the back

The walk down isn't an easy one as the incline going up was harsh, the descent is no easier. You worked the back of you legs and calves so hard on the way up they cramp and ache, and then on the way down the thighs are so pumped as you have to force yourself upright and try not to tumble forward. Also taking caution on the rock garden traverse. But one thing I will say is the descent down is one of my favourites as the entire way rewards you with the views that were hidden behind your back on the way up. You truly can appreciate where you are at this point.

Grizzly we saw driving back on the banks next to the road.

Somehow we managed to avoid any bear encounters on the trail. We also planned ahead and made sure there were 5 of us to avoid this, with 4 of us carrying bear spray incase. Clapping every few hundred metres or so and making sure we talked and made noise so any unexacting friends could hear us coming also. That is the last thing you want. A grizzly or black bear being surprised by your presence. If they hear you, most of the time they will move away and try not be seen by you. (I am 100% I have walked straight past bears while walking and not had the slightest of clues). Funny enough however on the drive back towards home on the Highway 40 we encounter a Grizzly bear almost the same colour as the grasses around it. Just munching on the side of the road on the banks.This reminded us that you never know when you're going to see one as you're in THIER home and disrupting THEIR lives.

Even though I did this hike back 2 summers ago, I chose to write about it as it has been one of my favourites (after Cirque peak) and I am dying to do it again this season. Hopefully again without any friendly visitors.

Due to this hike being decommissioned I am unable to show the trail on Google maps. Instead I have marked where we started and where the summit is.