Greenview Hill And Greenview Ridge

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Greenview Hill And Greenview Ridge

On 26 October 2024, Zosia Zgolak organized another Halloween-themed hike, and this time, we ventured into Alberta's Ghost Public Land Use Zone to climb a couple of scrubby ridges--Greenview Hill and Greenview Ridge as coined by Bob Spirko--tucked between Harold Creek and Little Red Deer River. With little in the way of views and aesthetics, both objectives are not likely to garner much interest, let alone fear, from most hikers, but this trip was more about socializing and reconnecting with some of our hiking friends. Joining us for this horrifying hike were Brandon Boulier, Kevin Caron, Asieh Ghodratabadi, Shaun Luong, Shelley Milutinovic (plus her friend's dog, Billie), and Ali Shariat.

Rendezvousing at a pullout (51.45417, -115.02587) along SR 579, we followed Spirko's advice and took to the trail which he used for his descent (the reclaimed road he tried to circumvent is off limits to the public anyway). After a brief initial climb away from the road, we enjoyed a short level stretch before grinding steeply straight up the south end of Greenview Ridge. Upon gaining the ridge crest, we turned left (north) and continued along the trail past a few open sections that allowed views of distant mountains to the west. Approximately 1.7 kilometres from where we gained the ridge crest, we abandoned the trail and dropped down east-facing slopes aiming for a dip between Greenview Ridge and Greenview Hill. Topo maps show a cut line here, but it was mostly overgrown and indistinct. Fortunately, the bushwhacking was not too bad. We even stumbled across a good trail running parallel to the ridge, but unfortunately, it was not heading in the right direction for us. After crossing the dip, we worked our way up the western ridge of Greenview Hill and made good progress until the last 75 metres or so (horizontally) before the top. Ironically, the deadfall is worse here than in the thicker forest lower down, and we had to endure a bit of heinous bushwhacking before finally breaking through to the high point. Although trees still block much of the surrounding views, the summit is open enough to allow for some breathing space, and we took a nice break here in the sun.

When we resumed hiking, we retraced our steps through the mess of deadfall on top of Greenview Hill and then dropped down to re-cross the dip. The bushwhack back up to where we had left the crest of Greenview Ridge was less painful than expected, and we were soon heading north again along the trail. The actual high point of Greenview Ridge is difficult to pinpoint, and there are a few candidate bumps--all viewless and probably all roughly the same height--just before where the trail intersects the same reclaimed road we skipped at the beginning. In the end, we just picked one of the bumps for our group photo and were satisfied that, in the grand scheme of things, no one will really give a rat's ass!

For our return, we simply hiked back along the same trail to the south end of Greenview Ridge before dropping down the way we came. Although going back over familiar terrain with the same dull views felt a little long-winded, the return hike was straightforward and trouble-free. More so than tagging the high points, the real success of this Halloween hike was sharing the trail--plus some mild suffering--with great company. Thank you to all who participated this year!

I guess we need to find another route... Asieh, Zosia, Shaun, Ali, Brandon, Kevin and Shelley rendezvous at the starting point for the hike. Behind them is the road that Bob Spirko tried to use for his ascent of Greenview Ridge. Unfortunately, the road is now being reclaimed and is off limits to the public.

Thank you, Bob Spirko, for your advice! The group heads for a nearby alternate route recommended by Spirko.

This road might be a bit mucky if the weather is rainy... The group follows a trail toward Greenview Ridge which is visible ahead.

Definitely not bicycle-friendly!
This section of trail is both steep and heavily eroded.

Isn't this Zorro, the Gay Blade? Shaun and Sonny both look quite stylish with their fancy hats.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Lots of annoying little ups and downs on this ridge! Zosia, Kevin and Shelley gain the crest of Greenview Ridge.

This is as good as it gets! This open section of trail grants probably the best view of the trip.

Doesn't look too appealing from here! Here is a somewhat clear view of Greenview Hill from Greenview Ridge.

We've had worse... The bushwhacking between Greenview Ridge and Greenview Hill is not bad and generally tolerable.

Everything will be alright...I hope! Zosia and Asieh seem pensive about the ascent of Greenview Hill.

Being so close to the top, we're not turning around at this point anyway! Ironically, the worst bushwhacking of the day is near the top of Greenview Hill, but fortunately, it is short-lived.

First Halloween ascent? Oddjob, Zorro, Nacho Libre, Red Riding Hood, Jackie Onassis, Buster Scruggs, Killer Żabka (kneeling behind Cujo) and Construction Bunny gather atop the high point of Greenview Hill (1767 metres).

Whoop, whoop! From the top of Greenview Hill, a few distant peaks can be spotted through the trees including Devils Head at left.

No problemo for these hardcore hikers! Shaun, Kevin and Shelley thrash their way back up to the crest of Greenview Ridge.

Does it even matter if we find it? Upon regaining the crest of Greenview Ridge, the group continues northward in search of the highest point.

LOL!!! Everyone does their best impersonation of Rick Dalton near the north end of Greenview Ridge.

Wow, we actually got the dog to stand still for this photo!

Sonny, Zosia, Kevin, Brandon, Shelley, Billie, Shaun, Ali and Asieh stand on the presumed high point of Greenview Ridge (1784 metres).

	Just like in the movie Goldfinger, Oddjob gets electrocuted at the end (with Shelley's doggy shock collar). Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance: 12.7 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 6 hours 9 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 408 metres GPX Data

	Asieh, Zosia, Shaun, Ali, Brandon, Kevin and Shelley rendezvous at the starting point for the hike. Behind them is the road that Bob Spirko tried to use for his ascent of Greenview Ridge. Unfortunately, the road is now being reclaimed and is off limits to the public.
	The group heads for a nearby alternate route recommended by Spirko.
	The group follows a trail toward Greenview Ridge which is visible ahead.
	This section of trail is both steep and heavily eroded.
	Shaun and Sonny both look quite stylish with their fancy hats. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia, Kevin and Shelley gain the crest of Greenview Ridge.
	This open section of trail grants probably the best view of the trip.
	Here is a somewhat clear view of Greenview Hill from Greenview Ridge.
	The bushwhacking between Greenview Ridge and Greenview Hill is not bad and generally tolerable.
	Zosia and Asieh seem pensive about the ascent of Greenview Hill.
	Ironically, the worst bushwhacking of the day is near the top of Greenview Hill, but fortunately, it is short-lived.
	Oddjob, Zorro, Nacho Libre, Red Riding Hood, Jackie Onassis, Buster Scruggs, Killer Żabka (kneeling behind Cujo) and Construction Bunny gather atop the high point of Greenview Hill (1767 metres).
	From the top of Greenview Hill, a few distant peaks can be spotted through the trees including Devils Head at left.
	Shaun, Kevin and Shelley thrash their way back up to the crest of Greenview Ridge.
	Upon regaining the crest of Greenview Ridge, the group continues northward in search of the highest point.
	Everyone does their best impersonation of Rick Dalton near the north end of Greenview Ridge.