Cinquefoil Mountain

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Cinquefoil Mountain
  • Location: Jasper National Park
  • Activity: Scrambling
  • Height: 2,260 m (7,415 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 1,285 m (4,216 ft)
  • Distance: 11.9 km / Round Trip (7.4 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 12.2°
  • Estimated Time: 5-8 hrs
  • Technicality: Intermediate
  • Fitness Level: Moderate
After summiting Pyramid Mountain, we wasted no time to go for the second objective of the day, Cinquefoil Mountain, crazy Vern Dewit's plan… By completing both summits, we accomplished near 3100 elevation gain in a day. I don't like mountains with a name which I can't pronounce because when someone asks me where I went, I can only answer "that one". Mount Indefatigable is the worst!!

We parked at Merlin Pass parking. This is a small parking lot without any sign, so pay attention. However this isn't the best place to start hiking because the trail which starts here hits a swamp and it disappears and resulting unwanted bushwhacking. I suggest to park side of road just south of Edna Lake or walk on highway to minimize bushwhacking like we did on the way back.

Once on the ridge, simply follow it. Most of the time we stayed right side of the ridge. Sometimes there are multiple trails and sometimes trail disappears, but many cairns to indicate the route. After above treeline terrain became more challenging (page 5). If you go to left side, it will be moderate/difficult scrambling, if you go right side it will be steep scree terrain. Despite this is rated easy in Kane's book, I bet some people would rate moderate. Cinquefoil Mountain is defiantly not for introducing scramble to someone who has never done it before. Kane also describes this ridge as "the long, lazy ridge", funny. Yes it was long but I didn't find this ridge lazy at all. Boo (' ε '*) The last 200 m elevation or so I found the ridge was very pretty (page 6). The combination of rocks, shale, and little green on ridge top made the scenery beautiful and enjoyable in my opinion.

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After bushwhacking from the parking lot, we arrived at the bottom of the ridge.

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So many sheep and full of sheep poop.

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Trail below treeline I found somewhat boring.

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Challenging part of mountain. Sure it doesn't look "easy". If you are looking for scrambling, go towards left.

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False summits after one another.

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I really liked the ridge top. It was pretty.

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Still more to go.

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Pyramid Mountain from Cinquefoil Mountain. We were there in the morning.

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Finally we arrived at the true summit. Mouseover to see names.

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One thing I learned about Vern. He doesn't rest not even for lunch. I don't even know when he ate snack or meal while we were scrambling.

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The most challenging part.

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Green.


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