Isabelle Peak Scramble

Lat/Lon: 51.12°N, 116°W
Isabelle Peak is located on the continental divide (re: Storm Mountain and Mount
Bosworth), therefore, on the border of Alberta and British Columbia as well as Banff
and Kootenay National Parks, two of four connecting parks that make up the central
Canadian Rockies. Isabelle makes up the southern portion of the Ball Range,
Mount Ball being a more prominent glaciated mountain directly to the north,
therefore receiving more attention. Both Isabelle Peak and Mount Ball make up the
primary view point for visitors to Shadow Lake Lodge who ski or hike to Shadow
Lake for the grand view these mountains provide.

Isabelle Peak was named after the sister of a prominent mountaineer, Charles
Thompson, in the Canadian Rockies in 1906 and first ascended by an
Interprovincial Boundary team in 1913.

The only published route for Isabelle is a long scramble via the east-southeast
ridge. There are no published alpine or ski routes up the mountain. The views could
be exceptional, although I did not get to enjoy them due to cloud cover. But Mount
Assiniboine and Mount Sir Douglas are in clear view to the south, the Goodsirs are
clear to the north and the close up views of Mount Ball’s hanging ice are spectacular.

Getting There
The Trans-Canada Highway runs from Calgary through Banff on its way through the
parks. Between Banff and Lake Louise is Highway 93. Take the Highway 93 exit off
the Trans-Canada and proceed south into British Columbia and Kootenay National
Park. After approximately 22 km into British Columbia, look for the Hawk Creek
trailhead parking area on your right. Much of this area suffered a major forest fire in
2003 including Marble Canyon which you pass on your right.

Red Tape
The summit of Isabelle Peak is in Kootenay and Banff National Parks, however,
the scramble starts in Kootenay. You will be required to purchase a national park
pass as you enter Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada. This pass is good for
all four national parks. If you plan many visits to Canadian National Parks within one
year, you should purchase an annual pass. There are no permit requirements to
climb in Kootenay National Park, but all camping is regulated. There is also a
backcountry permit required if you plan on spending a night in the backcountry
versus the town campsites. This can be obtained via the parks website which is
included in the camping section below. Kootenay National Park headquarters are
located in Radium Hot Springs, BC and you will drive through the manned national
park kiosks as you enter Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada.

This is active grizzly country, therefore, you should always have bear spray on your
person. I advise checking with Parks Canada for any area and/or trail closures.

When To Climb
As with most scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, the driest time is from June
through September. I climbed Isabelle Peak in July and it was in good condition with
minimal snow on the east ridge or slopes. There are no published backcountry ski
routes on Isabelle, nor would it be conducive to ski to the summit.

Camping
The closest camp site would be the Ball Pass Junction, RE21, backcountry site in
Banff National Park and would make for a great traverse from Highway 93 to the
Trans-Canada. You could really live it up with a reservation at Shadow Lake Lodge.
They feed you well and even have a homemade sauna (live fire) which I have
experienced on a winter ski trip. There are several more backcountry sites in the
area. You can go on line at Banff National Park to pick a camp site and obtain your
camping permit. You will also be required to obtain your backcountry permit which is
separate, but can be obtained simultaneously if you plan on camping at a
backcountry site.

Mountain Conditions
Kootenay National Park’s website has weather, wildlife reports, trail closures, etc.
Outside of the parks web site, Canadian Avalanche Association is also useful,
particularly for winter travel.

Route
This is a 5200’+/- ascent day. Cross the road and gain the Hawk Creek Trail. Hike
the trail almost to the Ball Pass at 7200’, just under 10 km. You will be traveling
through mostly burnt out forest (2003 massive fire). You will eventually pass a
beautiful waterfall in Hawks Creek on your right.   Soon after this point you start to
make your way more aggressively up the trail via several switchbacks.   As the grade
eases off, look for a well marked cairn on your left and the east slopes of Isabelle
Peak.

Start ascending an avalanche gully west of the trail and aim for a water worn break
in the gray rock band above tree line and below the eastern talus slopes of Isabelle.
Some quick hands on scrambling will get you through this portion and put you on
decent ground.   Follow the drainage up into a small cirque below Isabelle’s
eastern-southeastern ridge.   Snow could easily still obstruct any straight up
approach.   We followed some solid ledges up to the left, gaining a small plateau
and then continued to climb to the right until we topped out on the ridge itself.

Now you can see your objective, Isabelle’s summit block, to the northwest. Continue
along the firm ridge as it curves westward, but be prepared to traverse left to
avoid unnecessary gain, aiming for a steep east facing rock face on the ridge.
Do not gain the ridge again, instead continue traversing below this steep obstacle
until the summit’s access comes into full view. Continue to traverse below the ridge
aiming for the drainage coming off of the remaining snow on the summit. Stop short
of this drainage and find the narrower firm gully to the right of it.   This is the crux of
the climb, approximately 200-300’, basically firm rock holds requiring a climbing
move or two and of course loose rock available to knock down on your partner.
It eases off fairly quickly into ledges and now you regain the ridge just below the
summit block.   This is when Mount Ball and her hanging ice come into full view and
make for the best photo op of the day.

Follow the ridge to the base of Isabelle’s summit block and ascend via hands on
climbing wherever you prefer. There was quite a bit of snow left on the ridge at this
point in July. There is a summit register and a sizable summit plateau in which to
soak up the views. The weather was such I did not get the full show, however, Mount
Assiniboine and Mount Sir Douglas are in clear view to the south, the Goodsirs are
clear to the north and the close up views of Mount Ball’s hanging ice are
spectacular. You can try to make out Shadow Lake Lodge below, but will probably
just notice a green spot representing the meadow where it is located.

You return the exact same route and might find some snow to assist in descent, but
no fast scree.   There does appear to be another option or two for descent further
west, but I did not explore them.   I recommend you make this an overnighter and
combine it with some sort of traverse through Ball Pass.

Essential Gear
Helmet, Gaiters, Bear Spray, Compass, Alpine Ax if Snow (plenty of water
opportunities on route)

Trip Report
We made it to the summit in 4 hours, but that is of course a speedy ascent (5216’). It
is a worthwhile objective, but I recommend that you combine it with a traverse
through Ball Pass. Park a vehicle at Redearth Creek, Twin Lakes or Arnica Lake
along the way. There would be a multitude of campsites to choose from. The burnt
out forest is definitely interesting ground going in, but a little depressing on return.
Cheers!