Pocaterra Ridge
October 12, 2020 · 367 words · 2 minute read
Kat and I attempted the ever-popular Pocaterra Ridge hike for the first time on Thanksgiving weekend. We didn’t arrive particularly early but we still somehow ended up being the first ones there. With the fresh snow that had fallen, we had to break trail for most of the hike.
It was definitely challenging to navigate terrain for a hike we’d never done before, but we eventually made our way to the summit. Near the beginning of the hike, right after walking through the initial forest, we found ourselves hopelessly lost and wandering around a clearing for probably an hour. (Once again, this reminded me of how great it would be to learn routefinding as a skill…) After figuring out which direction we were supposed to go, it was easier to pick out the trail through the forest and into the cirque.
My knees didn’t bother me at all, which was a surprising relief. I suspect that this was due to the fairly short distance we travelled, or maybe the cushioning from all the snow. Those gentle slopes covered with pillows of snow channeled more than a few wistful thoughts about how great it would be to ski down them.
I’m looking forward to coming back here next fall and doing the entire ridgewalk.
Date: 2020-10-12
Location: Kananaskis
Friends: Kat
The ridge looked quite tame from this angle.
It was a magical winter wonderland that day!
Climbing up the snowy ridge was a grind, but pretty straightforward with microspikes. These three fellows and their dog overtook us on the way up and it was nice to follow in someone else’s footsteps for once instead of postholing ourselves the entire way.
A different view of Pocaterra Ridge. I love how the weather this year has allowed us to keep hiking much later than normal.
A summit shot. We were content to turn back here and return the same way rather than attempt the entire ridge walk.
Highway 40 from the ridge.
A troop of hikers approaching us on our way back. By that point, our meandering footsteps had become an official trail.
Looking back at the cirque through which we came.
This is why I keep coming out here.