Sunburst Peak
Completed when slightly wet, possible in most conditions, although the rock can get slippery and dangerous when wet, snowy, or icy. Plenty of routefinding challenges on this type of terrain can easily lead you into exposed fourth class. Following the exact route should be no more than third class and somewhat exposed. Most parts of this scramble are actually just easy scrambling, despite how intimidating the upper mountain may look from afar. This is a somewhat complicated route for how easy the scrambling actually is, but once you crack the route, it becomes very easy as everything has quite obvious landmarks. It is important to be able to visualize the route on descent or have a GPS track handy.
Sunburst Peak is merely a bump on the edge of a long ridge jutting to the north from Mount Assiniboine that Includes Wedgewood Peak and Mount Strom. Technically, there are three Sunburst Peaks at the end of the ridge, with the final and lowest one being nicknamed Goat's Tower, but most people ignore this and just call the smallest one (most visible mind you) Sunburst Peak. Along with Sunburst Lake, the peak was named in the 1953 Interprovincial Boundary Survey.
The Mount Shark parking lot is situated at the very end of the Mount Shark Road, which is essentially at the furthest point on the Spray Lakes Road (Highway 742). From Calgary, both the south option and north are similar in time, although the north section of the road has a slow speed limit and can get quite bumpy. The road is all gravel, but a high clearance vehicle is not required. The total driving time from the Calgary city limits from either direction is just under 2 hours. From the parking lot, you must hike in 25 km or helicopter in to Mount Assiniboine Lodge or Lake Magog Campground, where the route begins.
This describes the route from Lake Magog Campground. Depending on where you are in the campground, find your way to the southwest side (down the hill and far into the campground) until you reach the Hind Hut sign. Instead of continuing to Hind Hut, notice a small trail to the right that leads into the clearing and the forest above. Follow this small trail up until it enters a boulder field. If you happen to lose it at any point just head up and to the left until you reach the boulders. Continue straight up the boulders, avoiding any giant boulders or very steep section either to the right or left until you reach the bench. Continue hopping up the boulders, gaining elevation directly into the center of the bowl ahead. Align yourself with your GPS route consistently and continue up. You will know that you are in the right place when you find a scree slope leading to a grassy ledge. Head up the scree and then traverse the ledge to the climber's right for about 150 m, before scrambling up grassy steps up and to the climber's left. Continue up and left until you reach a steep and loose gully. Ascend the gully or directly to its right until the terrain levels out slightly, then, scramble up ledges to the climber's right to the summit. Descend the same way. Do not attempt any shortcuts, they will all most definitely be harder than what you came up.
After hitting Nub Peak and doing a big bike/hike in the day before, it was time for a bit of an easier day. Since my dad was starting to get more sick, we opted to sleep in for a bit and go for a short scramble up Sunburst Peak instead of doing the massive Cautley Traverse (would have to save this beast for a later date).
We woke up fairly late, which was exactly what we were hoping for. As we rolled out of bed and glanced around, it was a bit more cloudy than the clear skies that were forecasted, but fortunately we could finally catch a glimpse of the mighty and towering Mount Assiniboine, now that it was partially visible.
Mount Assiniboine shows itself in the morning sun just after we ate breakfast.
Breakfast was very uneventful, but I was delighted to be able to see the mountain that we had come to see. I would describe in detail how massive the peak is and what it feels like to be there and see it, but I think if you're reading this, you should just go and experience it for yourself. You won't regret it.
After three oatmeal pouches, I was ready to roll. And despite the cliffy appearance of Sunburst Peak, I was armed with a Gaia GPS route and a screenshot of a route description from explor8ion.com, so I was quite confident that we'd bag the summit. We had to be back before 12 to pack up and check out, so leaving at 8:45 was cutting it a little tight. It's not like they were super duper strict or anything, but there is a ranger that comes around the campground.
Anyways, we got going and headed to the south end of the campground where the route starts.
Walking through the campground toward our objective.
The turnoff for Sunburst is at the Hind Hut warning sign up ahead. The "peak" is actually surprisingly to the far right and not the one in the middle.
After turning off of the small trail at the sign, we bushwhacked/hiked through the forest trying to follow this trail.
After a surprisingly short amount of bushwhacking, we came out on to this boulder field with a view.
Going straight up the boulders was by far the most effective option here and they were super solid, which meant I could climb up them very fast.
It was at this point that I noticed that my dad was considerably slower than me and slow enough to be slightly worried. I continued ahead and grinded up the boulders, before waiting for him at the top.
Mount Assiniboine over some larches from near the top of the boulders.
Almost out of the boulder field slope and into the bowl now.
Another crazy shot of the big boy.
I waited around the start of the bowl for my dad for a bit and we discussed about what the rest of the scramble would look like. He had slowed down even more at this point and I didn't know if he'd be able to make it up and down even close to in time to pack up camp.
We both slowly wandered into the bowl and gazed around, having some trouble determining exactly where the route went, but eventually we walked farther and it became obvious. Once I could see the route and it didn't look terribly difficult, I took off from my dad to hit the summit and he followed behind, but uncertain that he would make it.
Now in the bowl and spotting a couple cairns leading the way.
As we started gaining elevation on scree, I still couldn't exactly figure out where the route went (I was looking in the wrong direction).
As soon as I started looking more to the right, I saw the key ledge traverse and the route became very obvious.
The ledge is a lot bigger than expected and very easy.
Continuing on the ledge into some scrambling terrain which will be the theme of the rest of the ascent.
This small larch tree marks roughly where I began scrambling up and to the left of the image.
Plenty of third class on this ascent and maybe some low fourth if you're looking for it. This step was fun and was pretty much the only major difficulty of this lower part.
Back to hiking until the final gully up and to the climber's left.
The loose gully.
Looking back at Lake Magog with the Cautley Traverse occupying the left side of the image.
I chose to ascend slightly right of the gully so as to not knock rocks down and had to deal with these nice chossy ledges.
After the gully, I made my way up this terrain to the summit.
I then decided to just scramble up this short step.
Before I knew it I had reached the summit. The whole scrambling section was actually incredibly short and rather easy despite its appearance.
Nub Peak over Cerulean Lake.
Summit pano! As you can see, this "peak" isn't really even a peak, although it is a fun scramble. The highest of the Sunburst Peaks appears to be the closest to Wedgewood Peak and Mount Assiniboine.
The other section of the pano. It was quite the viewpoint, I do admit.
I only stayed at the summit for about 5 minutes since my dad was waiting for me, but just as I was leaving, Mount Assiniboine cleared up nicely for this photo.
As I started descending, I found this very easy looking route before the descent gully, so I tried taking it to see if it would speed things up.
It still looks easy, but absolutely was not.
At the end of the downclimbing, I got back over to the ascent route and then switched back and followed my ascent route down.
Looking back up what I came down. Do yourself a favour and just stay on your ascent route. There was some ugly 4th on this face, but thankfully some steps were small enough for me to jump down.
Heading down to the ledge traverse on much easier terrain.
I almost got tricked by this ledge, but then realized and descended further to the right one.
Found the right ledge. Now it's an easy peasy descent.
Looking back at the approximate route. The lower ledge looks like it doesn't even exist from this angle.
Larches and Mount Assiniboine. What a view.
After a snack break, it was time to head down.
Boulder field descent now. This was quite easy since the boulders are fairly solid.
Before we knew it, we were below the boulder field with no issues.
We then followed a faint trail into the bush.
We lost the trail in some places and had to do some light bushwhacking.
Walking through the campground to pack up after a successful trip (well for me anyways).
Once we got back to camp, we packed up quick and gave our spot to some people so that they could camp together. We then headed to Lake Magog to cook some lunch, which will be part of the next trip report.
Looking back on this trip, I'd say the only reason to do it would be if you want a short scramble that is close by. Otherwise, I'd definitely stick to the hiking or bigger scrambles like the Cautley. I'd say Sunburst is worth doing if it fits in, but just make sure you get up Nub Peak or at least the Nublet before doing Sunburst. I did enjoy the scramble on Sunburst though, since there wasn't really much of that on this trip.