Click to hear me sing
Heart Mtn.
Elevation:
Height Gain:
Location:
 7,005 feet (2135M)
2,870 feet (875M)
Dead Man's Flats
Note for 18 Aug 96: This was my second mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Aside from still adjusting to the elevation, I had just climbed Lady McDonald the previous day. I was tired.

Note for 22 Apr 00: Partly cloudy skies, moderate wind, temperatures around 10°C (50°F). This was Tina's first ascent of the season, so we took it slowly. We went to the second summit, but choose to return the ascent route instead of doing the eastern circle. Lots of packed snow still on the upper slopes. Ascent time includes lunch.

Note for 19 Apr 03: We thought we would take Samantha hiking, but the wind was too much for the 8 month old. We had to turn back near the part where we cross the ridge.

  Date Ascent Time Descent Time Round trip
East Circuit
4th Time 19 Apr 03 Incomplete Incomplete N/A
3rd Time 22 Apr 00 3 hrs 30 mins 2 hrs 00 mins N/A
2nd Time 09 May 98 2 hrs 17 mins N/A 3 hrs 54 mins
1st Time 18 Aug 96 2 hrs 45 mins N/A 4 hrs 16 mins

18 Aug 96 - To get to this mountain, you should drive west along the TransCanada Highway. Take the Heart Creek Exit (just prior to Dead Man's Flat). Park in the Heart Creek Parking lot. The trailhead sits on the northeast side of the parking lot. You can also park on the side of Hwy 1. That's where all of the sport climbers park. If you park there, just hike straight to the ridge. Basically, you follow the west ridge to the first summit. The true summit lies behind the first summit (hidden from view). If you look at this mountain and imagine the arial view, you can see that the first summit is shaped like a heart ... hence the name.



18 Aug 96 - At the bottom of the mountain, you follow the Heart Creek trail, which of course leads you over Heart Creek (seen here).



  
18 Aug 96 - About 75% of the way up the first summit, you will encounter a small rock shute that you must climb up. For me, this is the best part of the mountain.


18 Aug 96 -From the second summit, you have a wonderful view of Barrier Lake.


18 Aug 96 -On this trip, George and Lorene (two of my friends) went with me. In the background (across Barrier Lake) is the bottom half of Mt. Baldy.


18 Aug 96 - Heart Mountain has a few alternative ways down. After the second summit (the true summit), you can go east (towards Barrier Lake). The trail runs along the ridge of three more peaks. I highly suggest this way down. The trail is well marked and a lot easier to come down. The book tells of another way down the west side of the second peak (putting you down towards Heart Creek). I've never gone that way. Of course, you can also go down the way you came up.



18 Aug 96 - As you start to go down the east side of the second summit, you will most likely encounter a Marmot. I have encountered them in the same spot both times I've gone down this way. They are quite shy creatures, but they have a very loud cry which sounds a lot like an eagle.


18 Aug 96 - On my first trip I saw three marmots, but 1 1/2 years later (my second time), I only saw one. On my third trip, possibly due to the snow, I didn't see any.