Story by Michele Jarvie - Calgary Herald
Way down below, the blue water sparkles in the sun. Indian paintbrushes, purple fleabane and other assorted alpine wildflowers waft in the wind. The scene is intoxicating but as pretty as it is, it’s hard to take your eyes off the imposing monolith towering over it all.
Seeing Fortress Mountain up close in its summer glory is truly a sight. For a generation of skiers who once enjoyed schussing down the chutes here, it feels like an entirely different place when you’re hiking the runs and ridgelines. Without the lifts and its usual deep blanket of fresh powder, Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis has a whole new personality.
Based out of Banff, the guided hiking outfit is relishing its first foray into Fortress. It was just granted a permit to run ATV-assisted trips on the mountain for this summer and fall. With Sunshine Meadow’s gondola not in operation this summer, this is the only assisted access to high alpine meadows in the Canadian Rockies. It’s also the first time in several years that summer access is allowed at Fortress.