Scrambling

Helena Ridge, Stuart Knob, and Mount Castle North Summit Traverse

Contributed by Scrambles in Rockies with Andrey

10 October 2026

Alberta, Canada

Helena Ridge, Stuart Knob, and Mount Castle North Summit Traverse

A 29.5 km day traverse linking Helena Ridge, Stuart Knob, and the north summit of Mount Castle in Alberta, featuring steep scree and easy scrambling.

Distance: 29.5
Hours: 12.5
High point: 2850

Also found on Scrambles in Rockies with Andrey Facebook

I summited Stuart Knob (2850 m) as part of a traverse covering Helena Ridge, Stuart Knob, and Mount Castle North summit. It was a long hike with rock scree and an easy scramble before the summit.

I started from the Rockbound Lake parking lot, hiking on the designated trail till Rockbound Lake. Moving up to the ascending gully of Helena Ridge, there was an easy scramble and steep scree with loose rocks.

Stuart Knob: from the top of Helena Ridge I moved down and turned right directly to Stuart Knob summit, walking by rock scree without reaching the plateau. Easy scramble before the summit.

Mount Castle North or true Peak: from Stuart Knob I hiked directly to the top, with some snow on the way and an easy scramble before the summit.

Descending: from the North summit I moved down to the plateau and hiked to Rockbound Lake, with some scramble on the way. From Rockbound Lake I hiked back to the parking lot in darkness using a headlamp. The track support info was from Doug Lutz's trip report.

Looking back. Tower Lake, Mount Castle South, Rockbound Lake

The view from Helena Ridge: left to right: North or True Peak of Mount Castle, Stuart Knob, Television Peak

Moving up to the gully. Met another hiker: Frida

On saddle looking to North Castle summit direction

Trail Notes

Start from the Rockbound Lake parking lot and follow the established trail to Rockbound Lake.
The ascent gully up Helena Ridge contains steep scree with loose rock and easy scrambling.
From the top of Helena Ridge, drop down and contour right directly toward Stuart Knob across rock scree without descending to the plateau.
From Stuart Knob, continue directly up toward the true north peak of Castle Mountain, with an easy scramble to the top.
Descend from the north summit down to the plateau, scramble back toward Rockbound Lake, and follow the main trail out.

Gear

Bring a headlamp for the long approach and return hike to the parking lot in the dark.

Hazards

Steep scree with loose rock in the ascending gully on Helena Ridge.
Snow patches along the route between Stuart Knob and Mount Castle North summit.