Soon into the climb youll notice that the path splits- one side turns right into the trees while the other goes straight, keeping near the edge of a slope. The hike up to this initial peak is the most difficult ascent. Adventure sports, activities, and non-supervised activities come with inherent risks, please take necessary precautions. South Pocaterra Ridge | Map, Guide - Alberta, Canada | AllTrails There is some trail braiding, so try to stay on the most trodden route and keep a lookout for flagging tape on trees marking the way. Now there will only be one route up to Pocaterra Ridge, so keep on the path to avoid trampling the vegetation. A true adventurer, Leigh prefers wilderness experiences, camping and glamping in unique locations, long hikes, multi-day bike rides and paddling trips where few people go. South Pocaterra Ridge Hike (via Pocaterra Cirque) Distance: 9 km (round trip to Pocaterra Ridge's south summit) Difficulty: Moderate with a strenuous section up to the ridge Elevation Gain: 488 m Surface: Dirt with areas of exposed rock Trail Type: Out and back Time: 5- 6 hours (at a relaxed pace) However, the Pocaterra Ridge summit (2667 m) with the heavenly view will be your reward! Pretty deep snow on most parts, best to bring snowshoes which we dont have. Pocaterra Ridge is a mild enough hike for most dogs and kiddos. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. One vehicle can be left at. The wind can be ferocious at times. From there simply followed a trail to the summit. Pocaterra Ridge Loop | Kananaskis Trails Very busy hike despite being mid week. The parking lot will be on the right. This section includes a non-technical "scramble" that can be demanding. Desks for 1 - 50 people. But it was beautiful, and there were no people! Same for the rocks- very slippery. After you pass the fourth summit you can look forward to all descending into the Little Highwood Pass parking lot where your second vehicle is waiting. Youll likely need plenty of breaks, but at least there are stunning views to enjoy while you catch your breath. July and August is a good time to hike Pocaterra Ridge Trail, but its most beautiful during the last two weeks of September when the larch needles turn golden yellow. But your views aren't going to change much after the first flat section until the very top. The trek up to the ridge took about 35 minutes and was challenging at some parts as the loose rock and dirt is slippery but the views made it worth it! Author of, Get travel tips & outdoor inspiration by signing up for our monthly newsletter. In some areas it was quite muddy but manageable. To get going leave the north end of the Highwood Pass parking lot and follow the interpretive trail until it starts climbing. What an outstanding photographic record of one of my all-time favourite hikes! The snow was about 30 deep and we started to sink. Pocaterra Ridge Hike Where: Pocaterra Ridge When: September 28, 2021 Who: Ed, Dave, Phil, Erin, Rod, Bauer, Ian Trailhead: take Highway 1 west and turn south onto Highway 40 follow Highway 40 for 67 km to the top of the Highwood Pass park in the lot on the right (west) side of the highway the trailhead is out of the north end of the parking lot Take bear spray and plenty of water. 359.32 m Down. 19 Harbor Ridge Rd, S Burlington, VT 05403 | Zillow The climb at the end appeared difficult for many. The Rent Zestimate for this home is $3,499/mo, which has decreased by $403/mo in the last 30 days. Note that this section of Highway 40 is closed from December 1-June 15 each year. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Trail was east to follow. Something else? Pocaterra Ridge (South Peak) - Highwood Pass - Igorot Hikers Once on the ridge enjoy hours of mountain views in all directions. Pick an adequate hike for your fitness, plan for plenty of time, pack water and food, and dont be afraid to turn around. Pocaterra Ridge begins in the forest and then opens up with mountains towering above. I did this hike with three women around the third week in September when the larches were at their peak. South Pocaterra Ridge - YouTube Hiking info, trail maps, and 35 trip reports from Pocaterra Ridge (2,667 m) in the Elk Range of Alberta A true adventurer, Leigh prefers wilderness experiences, camping and glamping in unique locations, long hikes, multi-day bike rides and paddling trips where few people go. Raya Kebayoran Lama No.121, South Jakarta, Indonesia,+ 62 21 532 2302 / +62 21 584 5405, enquiry@etonhouse.co.id , www.etonhouse.co.id. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. I also find them very useful when a stream crossing is involved. 10.0 km This popular Kananaskis hike offers hikers a wide variety of Kananaskis scenery, ranging from a walk through a mountain cirque, to rushing streams to a spectacular ridge hike with jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain views. Pocaterra Ridge Trail in Kananaskis - Travel Banff Canada The fresh snow hides the true grade, especially for the first kilometer as the trail runs along the side of the Highwood Ridge. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Zestimate Home Value: $762,200. She loves to help others travel and make their planning easier. ft. home is a 4 bed, 4.0 bath property. Pocaterra Ridge - Spectacular Mountains Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. This is a popular larch hike so during fall season the parking i. A little further ahead and around a bend, Mount Pocaterra makes an appearance. Their aim is to develop each child into a well-balanced individual through an engaging environment and a Reggio-Emilia inspired curriculum. On the return hike youll get to enjoy more lovely views of Mount Tyrwhitt and the larch trees at Pocaterra Cirque. South Pocaterra Ridge Moderate (905) Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Photos (1,637) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Enjoy this 8.4-km out-and-back trail near Kananaskis Improvement, Alberta. However, the parade of wonderful scenery keeps motivation up and the panorama at the ridge is a perfect reward for the effort. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. We started the hike at 11am and the ground was frozen for the first half of the hike or so and therefore slippery. The best way to do this hike is a through hike, so having two vehicles in your group is suggested. Once going up the ridge there is loose dirt, bring proper footwear. Or stash your bike in the woods and bike back to your car at Highwood Pass or simply do and out and back hike. Visitors are required to hold a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The descent to Little Highwood Pass from Pocaterra Ridge, 5 things that come with me on almost every hike. This trail goes by Pocaterra Ridge. Spam? For the rest of the hike youll be retracing your steps on the same trail as before- walking alongside the forest of larch, passing through the meadow and by the pond, then hiking in the shady woods. Facilities: At the trailhead there are outhouses and a picnic table. Weather changes quickly in the mountains and it can be very windy on the ridge, so come prepared with layers. Soon the trail exits the trees and youll be walking alongside the edge of a larch forest as the path starts to gradually gain a bit of elevation. South Pocaterra Ridge | Map, Guide - Alberta, Canada | AllTrails South Pocaterra Ridge on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/south-pocaterra-ridge--3 8:15 at the trailhead 8:30 start hiking Moderate pace, lots . The trail proceeds between the base of a mountain and the larch forest then turns right and crosses a small stream (your feet wont get wet). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Follow the Highwood Meadows Trail through the trees. Continuing on Pocaterra Ridge Trail, youll come to a creek at the end of the meadow. I would not recommend this trail. Didnt summit, took us long to battle with some knee deep snow on trail. Once the well-defined trail disappears follow whatever animal trails you can find as you switchback down the ridgeline. The larches were magnificent. Now we live in Canmore and spend as much time as possible exploring and hiking around Banff. MLS # 1582076 Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead. Once you get lower on the ridge, this time stay straight on the path closest to the mountainside. Its a great hike to enjoy at a leisurely pace because the journey is just as beautiful as the destination. Its here that you can either turn around and head back the way you came or continue along the ridge (this would have been needed to plan in advance with a car shuttle). Beautiful day but winter hiking is definitely here on this trail. Beautiful, sunny fall day. At Adventure Alberta, youll find locally written guides to Albertas outdoor recreation areas. We literally finished the hike beside a bush marked with flagging tape directly across from the entrance to the parking lot. Show on the map. As of today, snowshoes basically the whole way was necessary, cool and a little windy with deep snow most of the way. Larch Viewing at Pocaterra | Explore Kananaskis Tourism Id rate as moderate. Route Information When to do July-October Backcountry Campsites No Pets allowed These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The ridge is off to the right (north). I always pack a buff as its a multi-purpose piece of cloth with a hundred uses yet it takes up almost no room. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Muddy for the first few kms, slippery roots. The larches were pretty but Id say with the wind today, wont have needles for long. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. As you continue on the trail towards Mount Pocaterra youll be surrounded by more larch trees. You can take either one, as they later meet up, but going right seems to be the more popular choice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But once you reach the top of the ridge youll have expansive views of Mist Mountain, Mount Tyrwhitt, and Mount Lipsett. Pocaterra Ridge is not stroller friendly. 1,179' Up After passing the turn off for Mount Tyrwhitt, I was breaking trail the whole way and really had no idea where the actual trail was most of the time. Learn more on the about us page! From this meadow you get a good sense of just how long and steep the approach is to South Pocaterra Ridge. The Pocaterra Ridge hike in Kananaskis Country deserves to be on your must-do list. Overall, as a beginner hiker whos barely ever hiked before, I would give this a strong 4 out of 5 and definitely rate this as moderate. Did not think we would need snowshoes this time of year. The trail was muddy during the beginning of the hike but was relatively easy to bypass the worst of it. It's muddy all the time here. Pocaterra Ridge Hike in Kananaskis - All You Need to KNOW - The Banff Blog Being a jerk / offensive? Leave no trace by packing out your garbage. But if you can wait till larch season Id recommend it. Best Time to Hike Pocaterra Ridge Trail: Pocaterra Ridge can only be accessed from June 15- December 1 due to a seasonal closure of the stretch of highway that goes to the trailhead. Beautiful views once up there. On the other side of the cirque, three hikers can be seen trudging up the trail towards Mount Tyrwhitt. Create Recommended Route or Youll need to organize a car shuttle unless youre super energetic. Traction was a big help. 20L feels like the ideal size for quick hikes and scrambles. Well worth it. As you cross the meadow below the ridge, there are great views to your right of Elpoca Mountain at the end of the valley, as well as Pocaterra Ridge. The trailhead is at the Highwood Meadows Day Use Area/Highwood Pass parking lot beside Highway 40. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". It ranks as one of the best day hikes Ive done in Alberta. The area covered in the pass includes Kananaskis and the Bow Valley corridor. Starts with a walk through the forest. Still giving it 5 out of 5 considering how amazing this hike was! The incline in the second half is where all the elevation gain is but it is 100% worth the effort! If you are lucky enough to be here in late September take lots of photos. Pocaterra Ridge is known for being one of the best larch hikes in Alberta to see the famous larch trees in the fall. Further ahead the trail passes through an area of scree then proceeds into a patch of larch trees. The Pocaterra Ridge hike is known for being one of the most beautiful autumn hikes in Kananaskis, thanks to a plethora of yellow larch trees, but even in summer the trail delivers an abundance of breathtaking scenery. (Sorry Kerry) So I picked south peak of Pocaterra Ridge. Pocaterra Ridge - my-hiking-journal The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are her passion. Larches are out in all their glory . The path still follows closely beside the larch before once again its framed on both sides by trees as it passes through another small patch of forest. Take the exit for Highway 40 and continue for 67.0 km until you reach the Highwood Pass parking lot. Pocaterra Ridge is one of the more popular hikes in Kananaskis. Your email address will not be published. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Pocaterra Ridge is best hiked after June 15th when Highwood Pass opens up to cars, and is typically good to go until the first week of October, or whoever the first major snowfall hits. 5,129' Up Always practice wildlife awareness when youre on a trail, and please give animals space. Arcteryx Cerium is our pick for the best down jacket. Eventually the forest opens up allowing for better views of Mount Tyrwhitt on the left, Mount Pocaterra straight ahead, and Pocaterra Ridge on the right. Pocaterra Cirque - Hiking With Par The 3,200 sq. And just one more point of contention while Im on a role. Pocaterra Ridge Trail is easy to follow, even though its not marked with signs, and isnt physically taxing until you get to the ridge. A pair of durable and lightweight hiking poles are a great asset on the hiking trail. If you look to your right youll see the Pocaterra Ridge summit and what lies ahead of you. Gorgeous views at the summit. Well that was super easy route description! Coworking, Shared, Private & Serviced Offices in South Quarter, Tower C !.Very busy trail and some sections are dry so poles and micros spikes will definitely help. In case of emergencies, we carry an emergency beacon with GPS. We break down an entire hiking Banff packing list here! Challenging but rewarding. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. After traveling across six continents and 80 countries with Cameron, she settled down in the stunning Canadian Rockies. Location: Pocaterra Ridge is located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country. Got here early on a Wednesday and was still starting to fill up. This hike was pretty BUT it felt like Albertas local Everest. Please consider booking your Canmore and Kananaskis accommodations through the included link. I dont plan to do this hike during the larch season again and definitely not on a holiday weekend. . or just go up to the first flat section and enjoy the views into the Pocaterra cirque. The Pocaterra Ridge hike is on an unofficial trail, so its not maintained or promoted by Alberta Parks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Since everyone seems to go there and the winter gate will be closed in two weeks, I thought it would be a good choice. Everything Ive seen about Alberta makes me think I need to take a trip there, but not in the winter! Pocaterra Ridge Key Stats Length 11.4 km (point to point) Duration 4 - 7 hours Elevation 764 meters (point to point) Difficulty Moderate Trailhead Highwood Pass A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is Needed to Hike in Kananaskis Visitors are required to hold a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Not too busy on the way out. South Pocaterra Ridge Hike- Guide to Hiking Pocaterra Ridge Trail Youll soon notice the trail goes to the left for Pocaterra Ridge. You can even look down into the valley between Mount Pocaterra and Pocaterra Ridge. Kananaskis Conservation Pass: To park in Kananaskis Country you need to purchase a daily or annual Kananaskis Conservation Pass. While most of the hike is considered moderate, the final ascent to the south summit of Pocaterra Ridge offers some challenges. When completing the entire ridge, visitors will need to bring two vehicles. There may be occasional pieces of flagging tape. Beautiful hike all the way through. Would definitely recommend. Lots of side paths that can get you lost for a short while, know where you're going, no trail signs for these hikes anywhere. The last 1000ft of elevation is challenging, pretty aggressive uphill, sloppy loose ground. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning photographer and three-time author. Quite a few backcountry skiers out. It's sad to see how degraded the trail up the ridge has become. Pocaterra Ridge - Alberta | peakery Some people choose to hike Pocaterra Ridge Trail all the way to its north end, but this requires some advance planning since youll need to have a vehicle waiting at the Little Highwood Pass Day Use Area. Took just over 2 hours not including breaks. Beyond the tarn, the trail continues slightly uphill along the edge of the larch forest. Some people may feel more comfortable using hiking poles. You can also purchase a pass at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre on Highway 40 (in person or by using the WiFi). Mystic Ridge #456 All Inclusive Resorts & Hotels in New South Wales Quinault Beach Resort & Casino Hotels in Las Vegas Hotels in Aston Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside Aqua Log Cabins Resort The . 12.5K subscribers South Pocaterra Ridge was one of the best hikes in the Canadian Rockies in terms of difficulty vs. reward. From the path you get a close-up view of the larch trees and their soft, golden needles. Once you finally arrive at the south summit of Pocaterra Ridge, youll be rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of mountains in the Opal Range and Elk Range. Almost all the larch needles are blown off but wonderful views. The ridge is often hiked in combination with Little Highwood Pass and Rockfall Valley to make an 11.9 km loop back to the parking lot. If you make a purchase via one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hiked this on September 25th, 2022. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Pocaterra Ridge, a 360 panoramic ridge in the rockies Pocaterra Ridge - Alberta | Gaia GPS The whole hike took us just over 4 hours and the views from the. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. In most years your window to hike the ridge will be from late June until late September with mid-September ideal for the larches. Got to the parking lot on Sunday at 8:30am and it had just filled up so we had to park by the Highwood Highway sign (past the no parking signs). Home Rockies Pocaterra Ridge Hike in Kananaskis All You Need to KNOW. Elevation gain/loss from Highwood Pass: 550 m gain; 875 m loss. Everyone was friendly but there was lots of toilet paper in the the bushes all throughout the hike, multiple people carrying stereos blasting up the ridge, dogs off leash (I LOVE dogs, but they need to be on leash in the back country for their safety and the safety of wildlife), and garbage and food being tossed on the ground. The trail eventually comes to a small tarn (mountain lake) before heading up the first peak. Pocaterra Ridge South Peak winter hike"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." - William BlakePocaterra Ridge (South Peak) is a popular class. The trail in this section is an absolute mess as scores of people going off-trail have caused this trail to become extremely braided and confusing to navigate. Few muddy sections and very slippery near the small frozen pond. The trailhead beside the parking lot is marked with a sign saying Highwood Meadows Trail to Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. There were lots of people and the wilderness etiquette was disappointing. We started out around 7:45 and watched the sun come over the mountains and it was beautiful! There are steep sections of worn and loose dirt, but nothing too unmanageable. The Breathtaking Pocaterra Ridge Hike in Alberta - Out and Across Dont forget about a pair of hiking boots and sticks to help you at the end! The World Pursuit LLC is not responsible for injury, loss, or damage while participating in an activity. Bears are known to frequent the Highwood Pass area. I find a ball cap or brim hat with a chin strap invaluable in the rain or on a hot, in your face sunny day. The parking lot is way too small considering that two very popular hikes start here, so you will need to arrive early to get one of the 40 or so parking spots. Pocaterra Ridge is typically done as a point-to-point hike, so if you have two cars I would definitely try to do it this way. Readers are responsible for ensuring their own safety. Don't forget: Warm clothes. One of the best places to experience this is Pocaterra Ridge, located in the Highwood Pass of the Kananaskis region in the Alberta Rockies. For quieter hikes nearby with larch trees consider Arethusa Cirque or Tryst Lake. Pocaterra Ridge Hike - Edventure Blog Worth the views. Region: Kananaskis Country. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Highway 40, the road leading to this trailhead, is closed seasonally from Dec 1 to June 14. But that's fine for this hike it's actually a little closer to the trail head. Pocaterra Ridge Kananaskis Country Time: 4.5 hours Distance: 8 km (return) Elevation Gain: 500 m How To Get There: From the TransCanada highway follow Highway 40 south. Pocaterra is rated a moderate and I would have to agree, out of many hikes in Kananaskis this is one of the easier ones Ive been on. Learn more on our about us page! If you use a hiking app, download your trail map ahead of time since theres no cell service. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
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