Piggy Plus Col And Piggy Minus

BOU AVENUE
Piggy Plus Col And Piggy Minus

On 21 September 2024, Zosia Zgolak organized a group hike to Piggy Plus Col and Piggy Minus in Alberta's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The purpose of the hike was to reconnect with an old Calgary Outdoor Club friend, Barbara Golya, who currently resides in Hungary but was recently back in town briefly for some personal business. Other participants for the hike included Eva B., Andrea Battistel, John Bence, Asieh Ghodratabadi, Shaun Luong, Ali Shariat, and Aga Sokolowska.

For Zosia and me, this was a repeat of our 2020 hike which was inspired by Bob Spirko and Gillean Daffern. We had much better weather this time, and for the most part, we followed the same route as before except in reverse (see my previous trip report for more details about the route). We first hiked to Piggy Plus Col and then subsequently to Piggy Minus before returning via Spirko's steep short cut route. Although this hike took place two weeks earlier in the season than the previous one, there was a lot more fresh snow on the ground this time because of a recent storm. Ironically, the big lingering snow patches that were still choking access to the upper valley in October 2020 were non-existent in September 2024. Of course, the fresh snow made the descent of Spirko's short cut route a bit more challenging due to the slippery footing, but everyone made it down safely regardless. The only other significant difference was that we were still a bit too early for larch-viewing season this time while previously we were a bit too late. Maybe next year we will come back at just the right time to see the golden larches in their full glory.

What a great crew!

At the Burstall Pass trailhead are (L to R) Shaun, Barbara, Eva, John, Andrea, Zosia, Asieh, Ali and Aga.

	The group climbs up a steep trail leading to the valley west of Mount Burstall.
	The group passes by an impressive rock wall before entering the upper valley.
	Larch trees are on the verge of turning yellow. In the background is Commonwealth Peak.
	The group passes under the impressive north ridge of Piggy Plus.
	The group heads toward Piggy Plus Col in the distance.
	The climb to the col is fairly easy and gradual on a good beaten path.
	Here is the view from the col of Prairie Lookout (left), Mount French (left of centre), and Mount Robertson (right).
	Here is a more comprehensive view of Piggy Plus Col below its namesake mountain.

High point (~2524 metres) of the day for us!

On the ridge just above Piggy Plus Col are (L to R) Aga, Zosia, Andrea, Shaun, Barbara, Asieh, Ali, Eva, John and Sonny.

The group descends from Piggy Plus Col and heads for the knob--Piggy Minus--at the far end of the valley.

One of the most underrated summits in K-Country!

The group stands on the summit of Piggy Minus (2316 metres).

	Although a little more weathered since the last time that Zosia was here in 2020, the painted fish rock is still inhabiting the summit cairn of Piggy Minus.
	This is the view to the north from the summit of Piggy Minus.
	Here is the view to the south from the summit of Piggy Minus.
	The group down-climbs a rocky step along the short cut route for Piggy Minus.
	One of the Burstall Lakes can be seen in the valley as the group prepares to descend the steepest section of the short cut route.
	Despite slippery conditions, the group safely descends the steepest section of the short cut route.
	Total Distance: 14.2 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 7 hours 28 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 633 metres GPX Data