Sand Ridge

BOU AVENUE
Sand Ridge

On 7 December 2024, Zosia Zgolak and I traversed unofficially-named Sand Ridge in Alberta's Ghost Public Land Use Zone. The high point of this ridge is along an alternate return route for the hike to Aura Creek Sand Dunes as described by Kananaskis Country Trail Guide author, Gillean Daffern. Although the sand dunes were our primary objective for the day, the ridge turned out to be the more interesting aspect of the hike. Daffern also recommends a visit to nearby Horse Lake, but we decided to forego this extension since we had already been there on a previous trip.

From the Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 40), turn east onto the access road for Whispering Pines Bible Camp 12.0 kilometres north of the junction with Richards Road or 9.7 kilometres south of the junction with SR 579. Drive 470 metres and pass Waiparous Creek ATV Staging Area (vault toilet available). Drive another 1.7 kilometres to the junction with a double-track--Daffern's "Eau Claire tote road"--branching off to the right. Park here (51.36177, -114.96997) to the side of the access road.

Following Daffern's updated directions to Aura Creek Sand Dunes, Zosia and I started our hike along Eau Claire tote road heading east and then south to where it curves and drops down to cross Cow Lake Creek. After climbing up the far bank, we left the tote road to follow a dirt bike trail northward where we soon connected with a southwest-northeast cut line. Turning right, we ascended the cut line toward Sand Ridge, but before reaching the crest, we turned right again onto another double-track heading southward. This double-track ultimately gains the crest of Sand Ridge further to the south at a four-way junction. Turning right (south) at this junction, we hiked along the crest of the ridge for about 1.2 kilometres until we arrived at a split. Keeping right, we walked a counter-clockwise loop through some open areas--the location of Aura Creek Sand Dunes--near the south end of the ridge. With the snow cover on this day, the dunes were rather underwhelming, but I am not sure they would be any more exciting to see in dry conditions.

After completing the loop through the dunes, Zosia and I backtracked to the four-way junction and continued northward along the crest of Sand Ridge to the high point without any issues. We stopped there for a short break before dropping steeply down the north end of the ridge. The steepness combined with snow cover made the descent here a bit more challenging due to slippery footing, but fortunately, we both made it down without any spills. We eventually intersected a reclaimed road, and turning left, we followed it across a bridge to reach an active logging road. This logging road connects with the bible camp access road, and we had no trouble walking back to our starting point along both roads.

We may have seen some of these guys before!
A herd of wild horses graze not far from the start of the hike.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Almost looks tempting to ski...almost! Zosia begins hiking along Eau Claire tote road.

Looks like every other forested hump in this area! Sand Ridge comes into view along this section of the tote road.

Finally starting to gain some elevation! Zosia heads toward Sand Ridge along this cut line.

No need for unnecessary elevation gain!
Just before reaching the crest of Sand Ridge, Zosia veers away to the south on another double-track.

Spiritually, we're going the wrong way! Zosia continues to head southward after reaching a four-way junction on the crest of Sand Ridge.

Not your usual-looking Chinook arch! The windy but relatively warm weather is reflected by a distinctive Chinook arch in the sky.

Don't look like no sand dunes to me! Zosia arrives at an open area where Aura Creek Sand Dunes are located.

Good place for tobogganing, I guess! The dunes are not that striking under the cover of snow.

More scenic than the sand dunes! Zosia pauses in a clear cut at the south end of Sand Ridge.

Meh.
Zosia walks through another open area which is also the site of more sand dunes.

Even this cut block is more interesting than the dunes! Zosia retraces her steps along the crest of Sand Ridge.

Now the real hike begins! Going past the four-way junction, Zosia continues hiking northward along the crest of Sand Ridge.

There was a lot of shooting all day in Ghost PLUZ, and I felt a little nervous standing near this target! Zosia takes aim at a steel target which is suspended between two trees just below the ridge crest.

Both literally and figuratively! Zosia and Sonny stand near the high point of Sand Ridge (1600 metres).

We should have come here for our Halloween Hike this year!

The view to the west from the high point includes Cow Lake at far right.

	Descending the north end of Sand Ridge, Zosia follows a dirt bike trail which eventually connects with the reclaimed road ahead.
	The reclaimed road crosses a small creek on this sturdy bridge.
	The north end and highest point of Sand Ridge can be seen behind Zosia as she reaches an active logging road which will lead her without fuss back to her starting point.
	Total Distance: 10.1 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 4 hours 46 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 214 metres GPX Data

	A herd of wild horses graze not far from the start of the hike. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia begins hiking along Eau Claire tote road.
	Sand Ridge comes into view along this section of the tote road.
	Zosia heads toward Sand Ridge along this cut line.
	Just before reaching the crest of Sand Ridge, Zosia veers away to the south on another double-track.
	Zosia continues to head southward after reaching a four-way junction on the crest of Sand Ridge.
	The windy but relatively warm weather is reflected by a distinctive Chinook arch in the sky.
	Zosia arrives at an open area where Aura Creek Sand Dunes are located.
	The dunes are not that striking under the cover of snow.
	Zosia pauses in a clear cut at the south end of Sand Ridge.
	Zosia walks through another open area which is also the site of more sand dunes.
	Zosia retraces her steps along the crest of Sand Ridge.
	Going past the four-way junction, Zosia continues hiking northward along the crest of Sand Ridge.
	Zosia takes aim at a steel target which is suspended between two trees just below the ridge crest.
	Zosia and Sonny stand near the high point of Sand Ridge (1600 metres).