Vimy Peak (Saakiihmabii / Maisstooinastáko) – Waterton Lakes National Park (Paahtómahksikimi)

2023-09-09 – undoubtedly the two most photographed peaks in Waterton Lakes National Park (Paahtómahksikimi) are Vimy Peak and Crandell Mountain (Blackfoot: Sikohkiaayo or “Black Bear” and also Sáíkímao’pii or “The Person Who Sits Across the Valley”). Vimy Peak is named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917), a famous World War I engagement in France where Canadian forces made a historic victory. Prior to the battle it was known as “Sheep Mt” on maps of Waterton and as ‘Saakiihmabii’ or “One Who Sits Across the Water” by the Blackfoot.

Though it is clearly visible from the town site getting to the top of Vimy / Saakiihmabii is not easy as hikers and scramblers first have to get across the lakes. One option to do this can be done by taking a canoe, kayak or a ferry ride from the Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. to Crypt Landing and then hiking up that direction. A second option is to start the hike near the horse stables in Waterton (across from the Park Administration buildings), walking along a rough road then trail to the ‘Dardanelles’, a narrow river between Middle Waterton Lake and Lower Waterton Lake. Then, after wading across the river (not recommended until mid-July) it’s easy enough to find the Wishbone Trail and up to Vimy Peak from there. The third, and most popular option is start the hike at the Wishbone trailhead just off of Highway #6 (Chief Mt. Highway). This requires a 6.5 Km (4 mi) hike or bike on a prairie trail before starting the ascent up the peak. This is time and energy consuming and for this reason some guidebooks and other scramblers often recommend other options to visitors of Waterton. I had taken the Crypt ferry and Dardanelles options in previous trips to Vimy / Saakiihmabii so this time decided on the third route.

This turned out to be a great decision as the riding with my e-bike was easy as the trail is well-trodden. I was treated to the sound of an elk bugling across the meadow and stopped for a few minutes. I tried to record the bugling but every time I did the bull elk would stop and then start when I clicked ‘stop’. I did manage to get a few clips, but nothing as eerie and beautiful as it was in real life.

After the 6.5 Km ride the trail splits. To continue on takes a hiker all the way to Crypt Landing. To go left goes up to the summit.

The hiking is excellent on the route. There are no switchbacks that are so onerous that it makes you question the sanity of whoever made the trail (e.g., Bertha Lake). In fact, this trail is popular with horseback riders and the trail is thus never exposed or very steep.

The only real exertion is near the end of the hike, above the tree line where the trail cuts into the scree. But even this is easy and barely crosses into Class 3, if that. Once at the peak the views are amazing. I especially love looking down on the familiar Waterton town site and watch the little cars and people milling about like an ant city. There are 200 degree of peaks all around with summits visible in Waterton, Castle Willdand Prov. Park (AB), Glacier National Park (US), Akamina-Kishinena Prov. Park (B.C.). The remaining 160 degrees is a view of endless prairie, also one of my favourites.

Once at the summit there are options to continue. Many scramblers continue on south from there to walk along the length of Vimy Ridge to the high point known as “Arras Peak” as well as the true apex of the ridge. Even some continue on from there to unofficial “Crypt Peak”, a true scrambling gem. But having taken that route previously I just returned back to my bike and to Waterton from there. Of course, I did nearly literally ride into a huge grizzly bear on the trail as I was going out and then got a flat tire but that is another story. haha

In 2023 the family of Joe Crow Chief (Maisstooina) gifted the name Maisstooinastáko “Crow Chief Mountain” to the peak. Maisstooina was a soldier in World War I and fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge. See:
https://www.galtmuseum.com/exhibit/nitsitapiisksakoo-nitsitapii-landscapes-e6gpe
https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2023/11/08/blackfoot-naming-of-mountain-honours-first-world-war-veteran/

References:
6th Summit Smudge Box Placement-Vimy Peak aka Crow Chief

Online:
https://bobspirko.ca/Hiking/VimyPeak/VimyPeak.html
https://anugara.net/vimy.htm
https://sonnybou.ca/ssbou2015/vimy.html

Vimy Peak, Mount Arras, Vimy Ridge

https://www.on-top.ca/Outings/2017/Vimy-Peak-June-2017.html

Vimy Peak

https://alisekera.zenfolio.com/p220430152#he9959754

Oomhkataiyoo (Lion’s Head) & Saakiihmabii (Vimy Peak), 28 May 2021

Music:
Intro and Outro –
“A Handful of Summer” by Roo Panes
“Bow and Arrow” by Reuben and the Dark with the Bullhorn Singers