Wasootch Ridge Hike

Where:

• Wasootch Ridge

 

When:

• June 1, 2024

 

Who:

• Ed, Craig, Erin, Oak, Rod, Kim, Kuma, Roger

 

Trailhead:

• the trailhead is 17 km south of Highway 1 on Highway 40
• the parking lot is on the left (east) side of the road, about a half km off the highway
• the trailhead starts at the north side of the parking lot by the picnic tables

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• 1000 meters of elevation gain and 14 km distance if you get to the final ridge
• we did 750 meters and 11 km
• on this day, we were snow free until a couple of ridges before Wasootch Ridge
• the trail is very steep and rugged at the start for about 10 minutes, so it’s best to take your time up this section
• after that, it involves numerous short to medium climbs over about thirteen different knolls/ridges
• as you approach the end of the trail near the summit, there are some challenging rock faces to scramble over that I would only recommend for very experienced hikers who are not afraid of heights
• the hike took us four and a half hours

 

 

Interesting notes:

• one of my favorite trails as you very quickly climb to 360-degree views of all the fantastic mountains in the area
• some of the trees on the ridge are more artistic than any other hike I have been on from the exposed wind (it’s like being in a tree art gallery)
• there must have been over 100 people on the trail on this day, including some trail runners who made us feel very out of shape
• one side of the ridge (north) is bordered by Porcupine Creek and the other side (south) by Wasootch Creek
• there are beautiful views of Mount McDougall, Porcupine Ridge, Mount Bryant, Mount Baldy, Boundary Ridge, Mount Allan, Mount Collembola, and Mount Lorette
• the name ‘Wasootch’ originates from the Stoney Indian language, which translates to ‘unique’