Create an account sign-up-diamond

Start your adventure today.

Already a member? Login

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Hard
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
1,175 m
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
17.9 km
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
6-9h
User Ratings
These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
Advanced (Diamond)
Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
Physical DIFF
Intermediate (Square)
Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
Technical DIFF
Directions to Trailhead

Mount James Walker

Panorama from James Walker scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies
Measurement:

Download an interactive map and guide on your phone today!

Table of contents

A scramble up Mount James Walker is an engaging adventure! Amazing summit views combine with a beautiful approach beside a lively creek, past multiple tarns, and up an isolated valley to make a Mount James Walker Scramble worthy of any bucket list!

Route Description for Mount James Walker

On the surface, Mount James Walker appears to be a moderate, exposed scramble, but a little research revealed that there is also a much easier route consisting of gently-angled scree.

We arrived in the empty Sawmill parking lot just after 8 am and headed directly east (“up” from the parking lot) to find the start of the trail, a gated old logging road marked with snowshoe trail signs. We set a brisk pace along it in the cool morning, soon arriving at a cairned junction 2.0 km from the parking lot. Head right here, following a good trail on former logging road as it headed up the James Walker Creek valley. New growth is slowly taking over this trail.

Eventually the old logging road ends and the trail continues into the forest. There is some deadfall to deal with, the worst being a narrow swath of forest that had been mowed down by an avalanche in the past few years, but nothing unusually problematic.

Nearly 4.5 km from the parking lot there is a lovely scenic pond. Unfortunately, it was flooded, and the trail and the entirety of its shoreline meadows were underwater, forcing us to detour into the forest to the right to get around it. It would be wise to either be prepared for water or wait for drier weather.

The trail on the other side was in reasonably good shape, and after a moderately steep climb through forest next to a very lively James Walker Creek, you arrive in the beautiful open meadows of the upper James Walker Creek valley. The moderate route up the mountain looms in front, but turn right and wander up the valley between James Walker and Mount Inflexible.

This valley is very scenic and as you make your way to its head you will passed several tarns, meadows, and snow patches. From the head of the valley, start up the easy and very stable scree slope, stopping a short distance up for lunch. The weather was very interesting at this point as the hot air from the Kananaskis valley rose quickly along the James Walker – Inflexible ridge, rapidly forming swirling clouds just a few hundred meters from us.

After lunch continue your ascent over stable scree. A large snowfield covers a few hundred vertical meters of slope below the summit, but a narrow section of rock to the east allows for continued ascent on rock. Travel remains remarkably easy until the last 100 m, at which point the slope steepens and the scree and rubble become frustratingly loose. It is not bad relative to other mountains. Indicative of how easy this ascent is, the last 500 m vertical took just 1 hour 10 minutes to ascend, which is a pretty good rate.

The view from the summit is spectacular. That of the Opal Range was particularly impressive; James Walker is perfectly positioned so that the view of each peak in the range is well separated from its neighbor.

Return the way you came.

Insider Hints for Mount James Walker

  • Go during a dry time of year to avoid the full pond.
  • Fill-up on bagels in Canmore before the hike at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.

Getting to the Mount James Walker Trailhead

The trailhead is located on the unpaved Highway 742, also known as the Smith-Dorrien Trail. From Canmore drive towards the Nordic Centre. Continue past the Nordic Centre and travel about 29.8mi before reaching the Sawmill Day Use Areaparking lot.

Route Information

  • When to do:

    July - October

  • Backcountry Campsites:

    No

  • Toilets:

    Trailhead

  • Pets allowed:

    Yes - On Leash

  • Scarmbling Rating:

    Grade 1

  • Exposure:

    Mild

  • Family friendly:

    No

  • Route Signage:

    Poor

  • Crowd Levels:

    Low

  • Route Type:

    Out and back

Mount James Walker Elevation Graph

Weather Forecast

Check Area Weather

Reviews

0.0
No reviews
Write a review
×

Add a review

You must be logged in to post a comment.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Let someone else do the hard work, book a custom tour in over 85 countries.

Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!

10Adventures Trail App

Take your trails online! Keep track of your route along the way.

Download for free today.

Get travel inspiration and discounts

Join our weekly travel newsletter