Highwood Pass

BOU AVENUE
Highwood Pass

Taking advantage of some nice weather on 12 October 2019, Teresa Kosmala, Zosia Zgolak and I headed to Highwood Pass in Alberta's Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to do some easy hiking in the area. Joining us at the Highwood Pass parking lot were Renata Abramowicz, Asieh Ghodratabadi, Houmaro Kone, Jordan Kone, Kiara Kone, Dinah Kruze, Shelley Milutinovic, Ali Shariat, Dorota Sokolowska and Bob Spirko. We started with a hike to Ptarmigan Cirque, and despite an abundance of snow in the area, we had no problems following an already-broken trail winding up through the short stretch of forest beside the highway. Instead of staying on the trail and entering the cirque which was mostly in the shade, we headed up to an open ridge below the southwest outlier of Mount Rae just as Zosia and I had previously done in 2016. A large outcropping of rock on the ridge provided some shelter from a chilly breeze, and we all stopped here for a lengthy break before returning to Highwood Pass parking lot without any problems.

While Renata, Asieh, Dinah, Ali and Bob were satisfied with the short hike to Ptarmigan Cirque, the rest of us decided to extend our day by hiking into Pocaterra Cirque. As with Ptarmigan Cirque, we benefited from an already-broken trail which climbs over a low ridge to enter the headwaters of Pocaterra Creek. Although much of this second hike was in the shade, we eventually entered sunshine again when we reached the meadows surrounded by Grizzly Ridge, Mount Tyrwhitt and Pocaterra Ridge. Instead of tackling the encircling ridges, we were content to stop here for another extended break before retracing our steps back to Highwood Pass parking lot.

After saying goodbye to everyone in the parking lot, Teresa, Zosia and I drove back to Calgary via Longview and Black Diamond, and we stopped for a nice dinner at Denny's in Okotoks to cap off a very enjoyable day in the mountains.

5 Canadians, 4 Poles, 2 Iranians, and 1 Ivorian!

Gathered at the Highwood Pass parking lot are (L to R) Zosia, Asieh, Dorota, Ali, Houmaro, Shelley, Jordan, Kiara, Dinah, Bob, Renata and Teresa.

	Despite an abundance of snow at Highwood Pass, there is already a beaten path leading to Ptarmigan Cirque.
	After crossing the highway, the group begins climbing up the trail to Ptarmigan Cirque.
	Dinah, Renata and Bob break out of the trees onto open slopes below the southwest outlier of Mount Rae.
	Teresa looks back across the valley to Highwood Ridge, Grizzly Ridge and Mount Tyrwhitt.
	Teresa and Dinah look up at Kiara standing triumphantly on an outcropping of rock while Renata eats a snack below. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

We're missing Kiara and Bob!

The rock provides some shelter from the wind for (L to R) Ali, Asieh, Teresa, Renata, Shelley, Zosia, Dinah, Jordan, Houmaro and Dorota.

We now have everybody!

The group gathers for another pose beside the rock.

I still have nightmares of that Kane alternate descent off Mount Arethusa!

Mount Arethusa and Little Arethusa provide a dramatic backdrop as the group leaves the rock.

We could possibly claim this bump as a summit...

Dinah, Shelley, Teresa and Bob reach the top of a minor bump (2434 metres) with views to the northwest of Kananaskis valley.

	The group heads back down to Highwood Pass parking lot (right of centre). Photo courtesy of Ali Shariat
	Sonny emerges from the trees into the headwaters of Pocaterra Creek just west of Highwood Pass. At far left is Gap Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The group ventures further into Pocaterra Cirque.
	Jordan, Dorota, Shelley, Houmaro, Kiara, Teresa and Zosia enjoy the warm sunshine in Pocaterra Cirque. Behind them is Pocaterra Ridge.
	Sonny and Teresa are about to enjoy a delicious dinner at Denny's in Okotoks. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak