Hike Opal Ridge's South Summit

Opal Ridge is located on the East side of highway 40 in Kananaskis.

The trailhead starts at Fortress Gas Station. Park at the North end of the parking lot. The trailhead is easy to spot from here. Follow the creek a couple hundred meters till you reach an open area with power lines. Turn left. Continue for another couple hundred meters until you come to a creek, cross the creek and watch for a rock formation. This rock formation will direct you left onto the main trail, where you will begin your hike up to Opal Ridge.

The elevation gain is fast, where you will make your way through a forested area on a well marked trail until you come to another open space, with grass and trees. At this point you will get a pretty good view of the rest of the route.

From here on you will be making your way up Rocky paths and scree slopes. You can say so long to the dirt paths! The view the whole way is breathtaking, advised you take breaks just in order to truly take it all in.

You will reach a grass gully after an initial scramble, a great place to break and hang out for a bit. There is also a large rock I advise you climb up which is perfect for a photo op (you can't miss it).

The remainder of the route is quite obvious as you continue to make your way up in the shale scree. Once you reach the ridge you will take a right and head on up to the South Summit!!

There is plenty of opportunity for extended hiking in the area. Once you summit the South peak you can traverse back to where you reached the ridge and go left, to check out the North view just a couple hundred meters up, before heading back down.

Enjoy!!!!