Alf Skrastins Sep 28, 2016, 10:52 pm. A group of us met at the Highwood Pass parking lot that morning. Pocaterra Ridge in Kananaskis Provincial Park. Grizzly Col-ish and Pocaterra Tarn, yes. Rocaterra Ridge is a 7-mile hike in Kananaskis Country. Pocaterra Ridge is a must-do Rockies hike, but it’s less well-known than nearby trails. This stunning display of color happens in late September and if you blink, you’ll miss it. In speaking with locals, Pocaterra Ridge is the hike that comes up as their number one choice in Kananaskis Country. All the while, you’ll be hiking along a ridge with sprawling peaks and valleys on all sides. Over six hours, you climb 985 m of elevation to enjoy airy ridge walking. Tyrwhitt) and the ridge can be accessed via an unofficial trail beginning at Highwood Pass. I was so excited when some friends invited me to do some larch hunting on Pocaterra Ridge the third week of September. Article from playoutsideguide.com. This trail climbs steeply from the parking lot area, then descends gradually through open meadows and forested areas. There’s a small window of time from when the needles turn and fall off. One of the best places to experience this is Pocaterra Ridge, located in the Highwood Pass of the Kananaskis region in … Pocaterra Ridge is a quintessential larch hike in the Rockies. North of Lynx was snowmobile roller packed on Dec. 10th, expect early season conditions (thin base, uneven terrain, exposed roots/rocks) on this section. ... Pocaterra Ridge . A favorite among locals, you’ll find a dense larch forest between peaks two and three. Amazing Larches at Pocaterra Ridge (and Pocaterra Cirque) | Play Outside Guide. We could smell rain in the air and knew we'd best hurry to get off the ridge. Expect golden larch trees, snow-covered ground and blue sky. And according to Kaptain Kananaskis it is not only one of the best larch hikes but one of the best hikes in K Country, period. Remember to dress for the weather, and bring hiking poles for assistance in the steeper areas. Pocaterra Ridge… no. Twenty other amazing larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies: Boulder Pass (Skoki Area, Banff National Park) 13.9km rt to Skoki Lodge. Note, this is a … Although the hike is quite lengthy, the view on top of the summit, which overlooks rolling mountains and vast hills, is one not to be missed. Pocatterra Ridge is an incredible one-way ridge hike that offers incredible views and you don’t have to retrace your steps on the way back. Drivers will shuttle cars to the south end of the route at Highwood Pass. Event Type: Off-trail ridge hike Trip Description: Hike from N to S end of Pocaterra ridge over 4 peaks. Located in Kananaskis Country, Pocaterra Ridge is a solid day hike at 12 km long (roughly 5 to 7 hours). Pocaterra Ridge. The vibrant yellow colours that paint the mountainsides are so beautiful to look at, it’s hard not to fall in love with the larch trees that cause this stunning scenery. Pocaterra Ridge. RyderDA Sep 17, 2018, 11:04 pm. Pocaterra Ridge – an outstanding larch hike . There's a few ways you can take in this quintessential fall sight, Nugara said. The photos in Gillean Daffern’s wonderfully colourful new edition of the Kananaskis Country Trail Guide provided me with even more motivation to return to the cirque that I had already visited 5 times. You will gain approximately 764 m of elevation while enjoying magnificent larches along the way and some of the best views in the area. Buller Pass (Kananaskis) 20.4km rt. . Address: Kananaskis, AB T0L 0K0. Jul 3, 2018 - It’s a glorious mid-September day and Pocaterra Ridge trail is full of hikers. I knew we would get see some pretty amazing views, but it ended up being even better than I expected. It’s a great thing to do in Banff in the autumn. Link. Pocaterra Ridge is one of the most stunning trails in Kananaskis. Rated as difficult, this 11.4 km trail along the ridge is for many locals the number one larch hike in Kananaskis Country. Pocaterra Ridge. 4. Pocaterra Groomed Dec 9th from Lynx to Lookout only, with tracksetting taking place only between Packers and Lookout. Pocaterra Ridge. The cirque (located below Mt. A post shared by Karly Jacobsen (@karlyjacobsen) on Sep 13, 2017 at 9:06am PDT. When the needles start to turn yellow this is one of the first places you should head. The Pocaterra Ridge hike is something that Louise and I had talked about doing for years, and last week we finally had a chance to do it. in Kananaskis, but they are particularly spellbinding in the autumn. Boasting some of the best Larch viewing in the Rockies, Fortress Mountain also offers incredible nature-watching experiences, with grizzly bears and eagles making appearances. The Pocaterra Cirque and Ridge hikes are favourites year round (well, June to October!) Enjoy dramatic views of Mt. As summer fades all too quickly from the memories of Albertans, the upper elevations of the Rocky Mountains contain a feast for the senses in the form of golden larch trees. I’ve now been up both Running Rain Ridges and… not great. As expected, golden forests abound, yet it is significantly less well-known than nearby trails — a welcome reprieve while hiking in the mountains. Length: 10.3 k.m. This heavily trafficked trail is another one that’s practically lined with larch trees. This is the bowl beneath the ridge. Larch Trees on Pocaterra Ridge : By late September, this whole forest would be a bright golden yellow: Pocaterra Ridge is glorious in the fall : Forests turn magical in September: We enjoyed the end of our ridge traverse and made it to the final summit just as the wind was picking up. If you’re in for a challenge and an outstanding larch experience, try Pocaterra Ridge. Difficulty: Difficult. For more experienced hikers, the 11-km Pocaterra Ridge offers stunning views of the changing larches. Larches and Pocaterra Ridge Fall is hands down my favourite time of year, and it’s most definitely my favourite time to be in the mountains. Commonwealth Ridge (Kananaskis) 7.9km rt 2) If you want an easier, shorter hike and don’t wish to complete the Pocaterra Ridge trail, you can easily hike to Pocaterra Cirque. Distance: 9.9 kilometres one way. Wintour and the Opal Range. Why You Need To Go: This spectacular hike is a must-do for any hiking fan. Below Packers the snow thins significantly. Read our trip report of one of the most stunning Larch hikes. The total elevation gain is nearly 1,000 metres, meaning that the views you’ll get at the top are more than worth the trip — just make sure to bring your poles. It’s best done as a car shuttle with a start at the Highwood Pass parking lot. Pocaterra Ridge in fall with larches at peak colour: You’ve gotta get high to find larches – they grow above 1,800 metres (5906 feet) – but it’s worth it in autumn when the needles turn from green to gold. Journey through thick forest, over rocky peaks, and down steep mountain-side meadows. You will get the chance to see beautiful golden larches, the last of the summer’s wildflowers, and a lovely lake. It’s a glorious mid-September day and Pocaterra Ridge trail is full of hikers. Although not in Banff National Park, Pocaterra Ridge is easily one of the most popular and best larch hikes on this list. Address: Pocaterra Day Use Area, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, AB. Hikers praise Pocaterra Cirque/Ridge of Kananaskis Country as the best for larches during the autumn. Hit up Pocaterra Ridge from the Highwood Pass parking lot and hike 11 kilometres along the ridge for some of the best views in the area. Well the word is out… thanks to the CBC, Pocaterra ridge is one of the best larch hikes in the Rockies. During the fall I find the biggest treat is the changing of the larch trees and the beautiful contrast they provide against the landscape with their intense golden yellow colors. That turned out to be a good decision. While the views won’t be as expansive as on the ridge, you’ll still see some amazing larches and fall colours. Located near Highwood Pass in Kananaskis, Pocaterra Ridge is home to tons of larches. Pocaterra Ridge is an epic Larch hike (I'm seriously considering doing it again soon to see the larches) It's one of the best hikes I've come across in the Rockies. I had visited the area a few weeks prior to see the larches, and Pocaterra Ridge certainly makes a wonderful larch hike around the third week of September. May 15, 2020 - One of the most beautiful hikes in the Canadian Rockies, Pocaterra Ridge will blow you away. The view is outstanding. Link. It also gets very busy during autumn, thanks to the abundance of larch trees lighting up the trail, so come early if you plan to hike in late September or October. Regardless, the scenery of Highwood Pass can’t be beat any time of year. Larch season and rumour has it that Pocaterra Cirque is a good location to see the trees in their yellow state, as well as other autumn colours. Photo by Shannon Martin. Car shuttle and leave a vehicle at your destination so you don’t have to retrace your steps. Pocaterra Ridge: “The views and the journey are worth the time, ... Its larches don’t rival those of Larch Valley or Pocaterra Cirque, but its lack of people–you may have the trail and lake to yourself–and setting more than make up for any lack of golden needles.” Chester Lake: “one of the best hikes in the Rockies and truly shines in autumn. We share a common goal: to see… .. For this one, we’d recommend having your phone handy as it is a bit tough to navigate, but don’t let this scare you away! The 10 km point-to-point trail requires two vehicles to return to the Little Highwood Pass parking lot at the end of the day, the added effort pays off. This is due in part to the stunning colours put on display as the Larch trees change with the season. View this post on Instagram . Walk 11 km along the ridge (over the better part of 6 – 7 hours) and enjoy some of the best views in Kananaskis Country. Boom Lake (Banff National Park) 10.6km rt. Other larch season hikes in this area include Ptarmigan Cirque, Arethusa Cirque and Pocaterra Ridge. The hike itself is pretty challenging, but it’s totally rewarding – if you can stay on the path! Read our trip report of one of the most stunning Larch hikes. This is a good option any time during the short hiking season in the Canadian Rockies, especially during wildflower or larch season. Pocaterra Ridge Image credit: Hikebiketravel.com. Park your car at Highwood Pass parking lot and head into the meadow on foot. We opted to go part way up Pocaterra Ridge to enjoy a better view of the Kananaskis Valley at lunch. Why You Need To Go: The hike to this beloved mountain may be steep but the nature scenes that will surround you are every bit worth your time. Article from elitejetsetter.com. But the ridge is above treeline, and not walking in the larches, whereas the access route to the start of the ridge is good. Hike down from here and meet up with friends in the Highwood Pass parking lot to enjoy a celebratory beverage. Pocaterra Ridge. From the mountain views to the pristine lake and golden larches in the fall, it’s a perfect half-day out. Pocaterra Ridge. We completed Pocaterra Ridge as a shuttle hike. This hike is gorgeous without too much effort required to enjoy it. This is a moderate to difficult hike that is best suited to seasoned climbers. Length: 7.9 km one-way Elevation gain: 250 m Trailhead: Pocaterra Hut parking lot along Hwy 40. The ridge walk provides some of the best views in Kananaskis Country – at its highest point reaching 8,750 feet. Viewing the larches. Sparrowhawk Tarns. There are some, but not many. Depending on the month, this can also be a good area to spot Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Now that we've done it, I've come to 3 conclusions: The photos don't do this place justice. Chester Lake to Three Lakes Valley (Kananaskis) 15.3km rt. Located in Kananaskis Country, Pocaterra Ridge is a solid day hike at 12 km long (roughly five to seven hours). Burstall Pass (Kananaskis) 16.4km rt. Book your trip now! Not only did we find a few more early golden larch trees, but we also enjoyed an unobstructed view of Pocaterra Cirque, which was still covered in snow.

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