I've decided to repost a few old trip reports from other locations that I've posted in the past. We did the Pocaterra Ridge back on August 16, 2008.The Pocaterra Ridge is one of the premier ridge walks in the Canadian Rockies with a great rewards for the effort.
I recommend utilizing two vehicles and doing the hike from south to north. Leave one car at the parking lot at the north end of the ridge and drive south to the Highwood Pass parking area. From past experience, there's a better than 50/50 chance that you'll encounter big horned sheep on the highway so keep your eyes on the road.
Head northwest from the parking lot along the wide gravel interpretive trail. Within a hundred paces you should encounter a single track boot beaten path on the left following a slight depression. After a couple hundred meters the trail will turn left and begin to ascend through the trees. The trail is clear and easy to follow.
You will pass a small tarn but you probably won't want to linger as the local population of black flies was overwhelming. Above the tarn the trail will lead you into a large amphitheater with a large cirque to the south leading to Grizzly Col and Little Highwood Pass and Pocaterra Ridge to the north. From here most parties follow the easier route up the ridge to the first summit but we traversed to Little Highwood Pass in search of a geocache hidden there. As we found the geocache we were rewarded with an extra close encounter with a very large big horned sheep that seemed slightly upset that we were on his path. After much snorting and shifting he eventually circled around us and continued his journey while we pushed straight up the side of the mountain to the first summit.
The ascent from Little Highwood Pass to the first summit is much steeper and looser than the more popular ridge ascent so unless you really want to stand in the col or are looking for the geocache, I'd recommend taking the direct route.
We stopped at the summit of the first peak and enjoyed our lunch. From here your route is obvious as the trail will follow the ridge over three more distinct summits before dropping back into the valley. In an emergency there are a few steep trails descending to the east that would allow you to flee the ridge in a hurry if you had to but I wouldn't recommend the route unless you find yourself chased off the ridge by lightning.
As you follow the ridge you will have beautiful views of everything from Highwood Pass to Elbow Lake and Pass, back to the Kananaskis Lakes and Mount Indefatigable. Our day was scorching hot with not a cloud in the sky which led to every member of our party, save one, running out of water while still on the ridge. Every since that day I've increased my load from 2L to 3L. There is no water to be found anywhere on this hike until a creek crossing near the very end.
The ridge will gradually descend as you follow it until near the end when you re-enter the trees. From here the descent increases and you'll lose altitude quickly. The trail will eventually cross a creek and then empty onto the highway slightly west of where you should have left a vehicle. A short 5 minute walk along the highway will take you back to your car.
GPS Track (.gpx)
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