Yates Mountain in Bow Valley Provincial Park is one of the easiest summits in all of Kananaskis Country, and has some of the most rewarding views. Different points of the hike offer spectacular views over Barrier Lake and Mt Baldy to the south, the Bow Valley to the north and west, and the prairies to the east. That combined with the fact that its at the very start of the Rocky Mountains and only an hour’s drive from Calgary means that it can be one of the most well-trafficked hikes in Kananaskis Country. That said, I’ve hiked it both at sunrise and sunset and had the trail to myself both times, so it’s easy to avoid crowds if you’re willing to wake up early enough.
While most people only hike up to the rocky viewpoint over Barrier Lake, it’s worth it to continue all the way up to the summit of Yates Mountain. From here Engagement Mountain can be seen down below, with the Bow Valley stretching out beyond it. It’s kind-bending to imagine that the valley was once glaciated, with only the tops of the mountains poking out through the river of ice. The view is a little different nowadays, though no less stupendous.
Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Yates Mountain hike in Kananaskis Country for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience.
Note: The Yates Mountain hike is located in Kananaskis Country, meaning that a valid park pass is required. Day passes can only be purchased online and are per day per vehicle, but if you’re staying six days or longer, it’s more cost-effective to just buy an annual pass instead.
Before visiting Kananaskis Country it’s essential to read up on the Alberta Parks rules that must be followed to avoid tickets and/or fines. Harmful practices that are illegal in Kananaskis Country include disturbing plants or rock-stacking, or removing any natural object from flowers to rocks, as it’s important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldn’t be any left. Take only photos, leave only footprints.
If you haven’t heard of Leave No Trace principles, they’re also really essential to read up on before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like Yates Mountain as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors.
Yates Mountain Round Trip Details
Distance: 11.5 KM / 7.1 MI
Elevation Gain: 773 M / 2536 FT
Hiking Time: 4 HRS
Hiking & Safety Tips
- Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. Bear spray is a must whenever travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are actively discouraged by Parks Canada. The best way to let bears know you’re around is simply to use your voice. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. It may seem kind but it doesn’t just kill wildlife and put people in danger, it’s also illegal.
- Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. Make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Every year as more and more people try hiking for the first time, the number of rescues goes up. Being prepared is the best defense.
- Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. Remember to pack out everything you pack in though – don’t expect to find a convenient garbage can halfway up the trail. Bring appropriate layers (remember you’ll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. Inaddition to not leaving any garbage on the trail yourself, I highly recommend bringing a garbage bag and collecting any trash that you do see on the trail. You’re guaranteed to make the hike up Yates Mountain a more enjoyable experience for the next person.
How to Get to Yates Mountain Trailhead
The trailhead for Yates Mountain is located at the Barrier Lake parking lot, 9 kms down the Kananaskis Trail from Highway 1. It’s a one hour drive from Calgary, or 45 mins from Banff. The parking lot does get quite busy on weekends during the summer, but there is lots of parking available.
Click here to open the exact trailhead location in Google Maps.
Hiking Yates Mountain
Starting at the Barrier Lake parking lot. On a hot summer day this area gets very busy with people cooling off by the water.
The crowd is very quickly left behind. Fantastic views across the lake. This part of the hike can be quite windy though.
The path heads up from the lake and into the trees. In the distance is Yates Mountain.
A right.
Turning left immediately after the last turn to start gaining elevation.
There are tons of shortcuts through the woods. It’s better to stay on the main trail though to avoid trampling vegetation and destoying the hillside.
Gaining some elevation.
The trail winds up a series of wide sweeping switchbacks. Again, ignore the dozens of shortcuts and stay on the main trail.
After the last switchback the trail proceeds up the spine. Vague views to the north are now visible through the trees. From here the trail gets continually steeper.
A fantastic viewpoint over Barrier Lake. Mt Baldy at center.
The trail gets steeper as it heads up to the summit.
Probably the steepest part of the hike. Heading left here is easier.
This area has been completely trampled so there is unfortunately no distinct route to follow. I suggest keeping low along the right and winding up.
Nearly up.
The push up to the most iconic viewpoint. This is where most people turn back. (After taking photos of course.)
Getting the classic instagram shot.
Views to the west from the lookout were nice as well.
Continuing north to the actual peak of Yates Mountain. The trail isn’t super clear for the first couple of minutes but it quickly resolved itself.
Walking alongside a large crack in the rock just past the sign.
The trail is now obvious.
Spectacular views to the north and east once on the summit ridge.
Walking around the summit fire lookout station to get the views to the west.
A smoky sunset over the Bow Valley.
Recommended Hiking Gear
Water is a must whenever I’m hiking, especially if the sun is going to be out. My favourite water filter I’ve used is the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L, which unlike other water filters I’ve used packs up really small and lightweight. For hikes where I know there won’t be any readily available water sources along the way, I make sure to bring my own. The Hydrapak Stow 1L bottle is my go-to, for the same reason that it’s made of a soft plastic that folds up and doesn’t take up any more extra space than necessary in my pack. Finally, Aquatabs are another great option for purifying water, with one tablet being suitable for one litre of water. I previously used the Grayl water filter while travelling internationally, and though I found its hard body more convenient for day to day use and easier to drink from, it has a little too much bulk for my fast-and-light style of hiking.
The secret to all my photos of gorgeous sunset and sunrise mountaintop views? A lot of hiking in the dark. And let me speak from personal experience when I say that the last thing that you want to happen when hiking is to be caught in the dark without a headlamp. I used the Black Diamond Spot 400 for years and it worked great – until I lost it on top of a mountain somewhere. The only downside to it was having to worry about the batteries dying, though there’s also a slightly more expensive version that has a rechargeable battery. Nowadays I’m using the Petzl Actik Core, which is a bit pricier than the more budget-friendly Black Diamond, but is also brighter, more comfortable (in my opinion), and has a hybrid power system that is rechargeable but can also take AAA batteries if needed.
You won’t see me using trekking poles on shorter hikes often – but on long hikes and backpacking trips, as well as certain scrambles, they are an absolute lifesaver. I’ve invested in a high quality ultra-lightweight pair of MSR DynaLock Ascent carbon poles which, while pricey, I don’t regret one bit. If you’re not entirely sure how much use you’re going to get out of a pair of trekking poles, the best budget-friendly option would be the Trekology Trek Z 2.0. Amazon does sell a lot of cheaper Made in China-style trekking poles for cheaper, but these usually are much much heavier and not worth buying.
All the best and most long-lasting cables and power banks I’ve ever owned have been Anker. I once had a phone cable from them that lasted me over three years of daily use! That’s why I keep an Anker PowerCore Essential 20K power bank on me. Like many people I use my phone for a lot of stuff when hiking (checking in with family, using online maps, taking photos, flying my drone) so I like to be prepared for that low battery warning by having a backup power source on me just in case.
The only socks I ever buy for myself are from Darn Tough, and I almost always make sure to wear them when hiking. After years of having no problems only wearing these comfortable and rugged socks for hikes, I accidentally wore a pair of no-name socks on a hike last year and ended up with blisters on both feet. Safe to say I’m back to sticking with the Darn Tough. And the best part? They have a lifetime guarantee, meaning that if they ever wear out you can send them back for a brand new pair. For hiking footwear I go between a pair of lightweight approach shoes for quick and dirty mountain ascents or anything involving scrambling and more heavy-duty boots for longer treks. I’ve worn a couple different versions of the lightweight but super durable Arc’teryx Konseal FL 2 approach shoes for a few years now and am very impressed with the durability. I also really like the thick toecap that keeps me protected every time I stumble into a root or large rock. For longer, tougher, or muddier treks I rely on my LOWA Camino EVO GTX, which I find insanely comfortable and made of very high quality.
I wear my Ar’teryx Gamma Lightweight Pants on every single hike I go on, and on many days when I’m not hiking. After several years of abuse they are still holding together extraordinarily well, with only a few small holes from where I’ve fallen down and some slight stains from being repeatedly coated with mud. They’re lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable. For lightweight and breathable hiking tops I’m a big fan of both the Patagonia Capilene Shirt and the MEC Core Shirt. My Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody shows up in a lot of my photos. It’s super lightweight and packable, and does a great job of cutting the wind while also being pretty breathable. I also have an Arc’teryx Atom Hoody and Arc’teryx Beta LT that I pull out for cooler or wetter conditions.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to hiking Yates Mountain in Kananaskis Country! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below or to contact me directly via social media.