RIPPLE MOUNTAIN 2334m 5657′
Stagleap Provincial Park is renowned for backcountry skiing, but there is also a range of summer hiking on trails and routes. This climb refers to the actual Ripple Mountain that looms far in the distance, not to Ripple Ridge – a name used interchangeably with Lightning Strike – and traversed on the way. Ripple Ridge / Lightning Strike is a very popular winter route and a nice summer ridge hike. It can be very confusing.
At 2334m, Ripple Mountain is the highest peak in the Kootenay Pass area. It is also rather remote, the longest hike in the park and takes a full day. The east side is steep and the west side is relatively gentle and avalanche-prone in winter.
Access to this great ridge hike is from Highway 3 at Kootenay Pass between Salmo and Creston. The elevation of the pass is 1775m (5823’), the highest point of Highway 3. Part of the 1133-hectare Stagleap Provincial Park, the pass is famous for its early and late season snow as well as being the highest-served pass in BC that is open year-round (closed occasionally for avalanche danger).
Location: Stagleap Provincial Park on the summit of Kootenay Pass
Difficulty: D2 is very strenuous, route finding issues
Elevation Gain: +559 m
Key elevations: Trailhead 1775 m, summit Lightning Strike 2160 m, summit Ripple Mt 2334m
Distance:
Time: 6-8 hours round trip
Season: Late June to early October
Access: Very good. 2WD low clearance on a major highway
Map: 82F/3 Salmo
FA unknown. FA Ripple Mountain was climbed by a border survey crew in 1860, route unknown.
Drive: Drive up Highway 3 to the top of Kootenay Pass, between Salmo and Creston. Park beside Bridal Lake at the summit on the north side of the highway.
Route/Trail: All routes ascend Lightning Strike and descend to the col between it and Monk Peak
Trailhead. Across the highway from the parking area is the decommissioned Ripple Ridge FSR heading south. The road switchbacks for 2.3 km.
2.3kms. Just past the boulder road barricade/park boundary, reach a signed trail junction “Ripple Ridge Trail” on the right.
Ascend through the forest to an open alpine ridge. There are views of many low mountains including into Idaho. The highway is visible below. Cornice Ridge is north across the highway far below. Beargrass, wildflowers and huckleberries are the seasonal highlights.
4.7km, Lightning Strike ridge comes to an end above large bluffs. This is a great spot for a break and a nice turnaround point on a moderate hike.
Monk Peak is across the gully. Bushwhack down the steep southwest ridge for 120 meters to a col (955-313). All the following routes diverge from here.
1. North Face, Northwest Ridge. Class III.
From the Lightning Strike/Monk Peak col (955-313), traverse west to another col (2180m, 7150 feet; 949-311). Continue west traversing around to the northwest corner of the mountain.
Used to descend from all routes. Bring an ice axe even in July to cut through a cornice on the northwest.
2. Northeast Ridge. Class III, 5.
From the Lightning Strike/Monk Peak col (955-313), traverse west to another col (2180m, 7150 feet; 949-311). Continue west and south past a tarn to Ripple’s northeast ridge.
Tackle the formidable-looking northeast ridge head-on. There is one Class 5.0 pitch at the very bottom (rope), and the rest is scrambling. Higher, turn the difficulties on the right. (III,5.0,s,*).
FRA David Adams, Robin Lidstone, Hamish Mutch, Andrew Port, 7 or 8/1993 or 1994.
Descend via the northwest ridge and north face to rejoin the route at the base of the northeast ridge.
3. Southeast Ridge. Class II.
Contour south and traverse around the end of the east ridge to the headwaters of Monk Creek at 6500′. Ascend in a southwesterly direction to a col (2070m) one km southeast of Ripple Mountain. Follow the south side of the SE ridge. Early there are many overhanging cornices along this ridge to the summit. Depending on the cornice situation, it may not be possible to reach the true summit. Probe to determine the edge of the cornice. Probable route of first ascent.
8 hours, 1,260m/4133’
The southeast ridge is often skied traversing under the east face.