Suicide Hill

BOU AVENUE
Suicide Hill

Hoping to avoid rainy weather, Zosia Zgolak and I headed to Alberta's Castle Provincial Park on 4 June 2022 to hike up unofficially-named Suicide Hill. We drew our inspiration for this hike from a trip report by Dave McMurray who also coined the name based on the hill's close proximity to Suicide Creek.

From the junction with Highway 507, drive westward along Highway 774 (going through the village of Beaver Mines) for 22 kilometres and park off the pavement near a fire hydrant protected by blue metal bars.

Following McMurray's recommendation, Zosia and I walked further west along the highway for about 125 metres before climbing up the roadside embankment on a steep but distinct path. It was not long before we were grinding our way up McMurray's "Great Little Ridge", and we had no difficulties hiking up to its semi-open high point. Going past here into forest, I made a critical route-finding error and inadvertently led us too far south searching for an old road marked on the map in my GPS unit. I mistakenly thought that this was the Great Divide Trail (GDT), but when we actually stumbled onto the old road, we discovered that it had been totally reclaimed. As a result, we ended up bushwhacking far more than we should have and eventually found ourselves above a ravine along Suicide Creek. High water flow made the ravine impassable, and we thrashed our way downstream until we finally intersected the GDT right where it crosses Suicide Creek. Fortunately, the creek was not as deep or fast-flowing here, and we were able to ford it with only minimal whimpering from me. On the far side of the creek, we followed the GDT briefly before turning left onto an obvious side road. Taking another cue from McMurray's trip report, we walked up the side road for about 140 metres before abandoning it to climb a steep but lightly-forested slope. We soon gained the mostly open southeast ridge of Suicide Hill, and the remaining ascent to the hill's high point was relatively uncomplicated.

Zosia and I took an extended break on the high point of Suicide Hill before retracing our steps back down the southeast ridge and side road to the GDT. After enduring another bone-chilling ford of Suicide Creek, we stayed on the GDT which was still mostly choked with snow until we reached a three-way junction in a small clearing. We initially took the wrong fork here because of a confusing makeshift arrow on the ground, but we did not go far before realizing our mistake. Back at the junction, I dismantled the confusing arrow before we resumed our descent along the correct fork. Where the GDT re-crosses Suicide Creek lower down in the valley, we left the trail and muddled along the creek's south bank out to the highway. We encountered some of the worst bushwhacking of the day just before reaching the highway, but thankfully, the misery was short-lived. We completed our loop with an easy walk along the highway back to our starting point.

Notwithstanding my route-finding gaffe, Suicide Hill turned out to be a fun little adventure for Zosia and me. An abundance of wildflowers along the route make this a great option for hiking in late spring or early summer, but Suicide Hill is worthwhile to ascend year-round just for the far-reaching views. Thanks go out to Dave McMurray for bringing to our attention another great trip to die for!

	Easy access to Dave McMurray's "Great Little Ridge" is just out of view to the left.
	Sonny leaves the highway and ascends a steep ramp at the beginning of Great Little Ridge. Behind him is Southfork Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Here is a more comprehensive view of Southfork Mountain from Great Little Ridge.
	Zosia hikes up Great Little Ridge.
	Pasque flowers are blooming everywhere along the ridge.
	Zosia reaches the high point of Great Little Ridge (1766 metres). Suicide Hill is visible behind her.
	Zosia tries out her brand new poncho for the first time as a light rain falls over the area.
	In the forest, lots of snow still covers the ground. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia tries to get back on track after being led way off route by Sonny. Part of Syncline Mountain can be seen above the trees.
	An impassable ravine prevents Zosia from heading directly toward Suicide Hill here.
	After gaining the Great Divide Trail (GDT), Zosia fords Suicide Creek.
	Zosia enjoys a brief respite from route-finding, bushwhacking and post-holing while walking this stretch of the GDT.
	After leaving the GDT and walking a short distance up this side road, Zosia heads into the bushes again to climb up Suicide Hill.
	This is one of many shooting stars blooming throughout the area.
	Zosia hikes up the southeast ridge of Suicide Hill.

Even on a cloudy day!

The top of Suicide Hill grants far-reaching views.

We didn't kill ourselves to get up here!

Sonny and Zosia stand on the high point of Suicide Hill (1982 metres).

The hellish ordeal of getting down from Syncline Mountain has not faded from my memory...

The three peaks of Syncline Mountain are visible to the southwest.

	Mount McCarty dominates the view to the west.
	Mount Darrah (left of centre) is the most prominent peak on the northwest horizon.
	Zosia retraces her steps down Suicide Hill's southeast ridge. Great Little Ridge is the forested bump at left.
	Sonny re-crosses Suicide Creek. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	This part of the GDT is still choked with snow.
	Table Mountain is visible at centre on the horizon as Zosia descends into the valley along the GDT.
	Down in the valley, Sonny tests the depth of Suicide Creek which remains problematic for route-finding. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia walks back to her starting point along the highway. The lower cliffs of Great Little Ridge are visible at right while in the distance at left is Gravenstafel Ridge.
	Total Distance: 10.4 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 6 hours 56 minutes Net Elevation Gain: 582 metres GPX Data