Hiking
Mount Romulus
Contributed by Scrambles in Rockies with Andrey
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada
A late-season ascent of Mount Romulus in Alberta via Alan Kane's alternative scramble route, covering nearly 30 kilometres from the Little Elbow trailhead.
- Distance
- 29.8
- Ascent
- 1242
- High point
- 2832
- Hours
- 11.44
- Days
- 1
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I followed Alan Kane's alternative route described in the third edition of the Scrambles book. It was a nice sunny day with almost no wind.
I started from the Little Elbow parking lot and took the Little Elbow Trail for 10 km. I turned right to cross the Little Elbow River and managed not to get wet. After some straightforward bushwhacking to the beginning of the canyon, I moved through it; for safety, this section must be dry. There were three rock formations or obstacles in the canyon, which I bypassed on the right. Toward the end, I bore left and headed up onto a rock field, then trended left across a gully and pushed up through trees, steep rock steps, and snow.
The steep slope and ledges were covered in snow, requiring microspikes and an ice axe. In dry conditions it is a moderate scramble. Moving up toward the summit ridge involved rock scree and a short scramble up a rock wall on the ascent; on the descent, I moved across the snow-covered ledges instead. Once on the summit ridge, it was easy hiking all the way to the top.
I had no plans to traverse over to Mount Remus, as I summited that some years ago. I descended the same way and walked the final 10 km back along the Little Elbow Trail with a headlamp.
Closing thoughts
The end.
Trail Notes
- Follow the Little Elbow Trail for 10 km before turning right to cross the Little Elbow River.
- Bushwhack briefly to reach the canyon entrance.
- In the canyon, bypass three main rock obstacles on the right.
- Near the canyon end, bear left up onto the rock field, then cross a gully to head up steep terrain through trees and rock steps.
- Ascend scree and a short rock wall to gain the summit ridge, which offers easy walking to the peak.
Gear
- Ice axe and microspikes are essential if snow is present on the upper slopes and ledges.
- Headlamp is needed for the long approach and exit along the Little Elbow Trail.
Hazards
- The canyon section requires dry conditions to be negotiated safely.
- Steep upper slopes and rock ledges can become serious mountaineering terrain when covered with snow.
- Crossing the Little Elbow River can involve getting wet depending on water levels.
Access
- Starts and finishes at the Little Elbow parking lot.