Buchanan Ridge NE - Waterton Lakes National Park - Alberta, Canada

2026-08-16 - It took me forever to get to this peak! I've had it on my sights since at least 2015 when I saw two smaller peaks jutting out to the east from a climb I did to the high point of Buchanan Ridge. I thought it would be an amazing ridge walk to go from the high point all along the ridge. However, it looked like the descent from the high point would be well beyond my scrambling ability. It also looked like the two smaller peaks were surrounded by obstacles. There were steep cliffs to the west, south and east and the slopes on the north were barricaded by dense bush. However, after the Kenow Wildfire (2017) it looked like I might be able to get up on the north slopes. I then read Dave McMurray and Andrew Nugara's (see below) trail reports, where they went on the north slopes so knew that it was possible. So, last year (2025) I tried twice to make it to the peak. On the first try I got to the trailhead, but by then the temperature was already nearing 30C and I just knew it wasn't the day for a steep slog. On the 2nd try I rode my e-bike to the trailhead and was sketched out by bear encounters. One was a black bear sow with a cub that was right on the Akamina Parkway. They passed within just feet of me. The other was a juvenile grizzly that was hanging out by the Crandell Lake trailhead. I decided that maybe that wasn't my day either. Then, I tried again in the spring of this year (2026). This time I was thwarted by Cameron Creek, which was running fast and deep and would've been tricky to cross. But on a cool August day I knew that the conditions were perfect. The weather had been rainy in the days previous and the report was calling for rain later that afternoon. So, I set out to Waterton and was determined to make it this time. I saw evidence of bears (scat) right at the same place where I saw the bears last year, but I still ventured ahead. The trailhead is at a small parking lot near a memorial commemorating the first oil well drilled in Western Canada. From here the route was pretty obvious. Essentially, I just crossed the creek in sandals, put on my dry clothes and ventured into the steep slopes below Buchanan Ridge. The slopes were steep to say the least. Eventually I got tired of slogging up the loose rock and wet vegetation and made my way over to limestone and argillite cliff bands. I really enjoyed this as the scrambling was challenging but not exposed. Before too long I made it to the ridge crest and was pleasantly surprised to see that the summit was only a short distance away. From the crest to the summit took about 20 min. and was just a stroll really. The views from the unnamed high point are outstanding with lakes and peaks of Waterton Lakes NP (Canada) and Glacier NP (USA) completely surrounding the summit. I only spent a couple of minutes there as the summit cairn was infested with flying ants who were not happy with my presence. I just hiked to the south a little ways and sat and had a leisurely lunch. After a nice break I started to head back. I soon saw that the slopes just to the east of where I had come up were a little steeper but still doable. I decided to make my way down early. There were a few challenges here and cliff bands to navigate but there was nothing that was exposed or too sketchy. I kept my eyes on the trailhead which was visible pretty much the entire time. Just as I was getting back to the sandals which I had left in the bush the skies opened up and I was soon drenched. If the weather had held off for just another 10 min. I would've been fine. But, as it was at the end of the hike anyway, I didn't mind. I soon crossed back over Cameron Creek and to the trailhead. References: https://peaksandstreams.com/2024/02/0... https://anugara.net/buchne.html "Tenenbaum" by The Paper Kites    • The Paper Kites -  Tenenbaum (Official Mus...   "She Lit a Fire" by Lord Huron    • Lord Huron - She Lit a Fire (Official Musi...