It could have been called Wilkinson Ridge, as it does, after all, parallel Wilkinson Creek as it runs south of Cataract Creek in the southern part of Kananaskis Country. It could have been called Windy Ridge, which it certainly was, although that name is rather overused in the Rockies. It could have been called Rounded Ridge in places, but Rocky Ridge in other places. Or even Stegosaurus Ridge for the spiny sections. Like everyplace else this year, it could also be called Mushroom Ridge--a bizarre sight for a normally almost semi-arid area. However, the map shows this interesting ridge as Unknown Ridge, so we have a “named” ridge with the name “Unnamed!”

Six Ramblers enjoyed a somewhat slow hike along this ridge, the second time for one, who went on an earlier trip in the pouring rain and wanted to see what the scenery actually looks like. (don't ever hike this ridge in the rain--the black lichen covered rocks are treacherous when wet) The views were excellent--including the High Rock Range along the continental divide to the west, Plateau Mountain to the east and Mist Mountain in the far north.

Unnamed Ridge

There was a very strong and cold wind on the ridge, but we found good shelter for lunch just on the lee side of the summit.

Unnamed Ridge

Despite the topo map showing this ridge all forest, in fact, as is often the case in the foothills, the strong ridge top winds keep the top open and grassy. The ridge is a classical foothills/Rockies ridge walk, with continuous good view and many ups and downs. Although west of the Livingstone Range, so geographically in the Rockies, the area between that range and the High Rock Range is geologically foothills, that is, sandstone, thus the hills provide typical foothills ridge walks.

Unnamed Ridge

The going was rather slow because north of the highest summit (8,100 feet) there are many stretches of rocky knife-edge ridges, which can be taken for sport or bypassed on one side or the other, and you must pick your way through dog hair pine to get off the north end. The temperature was only 5C, but it was a lot warmer on the east side out of the wind.

This walk will probably never be that popular, because of limited parking right on the road near Wilkinson Pass, and the ugly descent.

We got back to the Cataract Creek picnic area just after 5 p.m., just before a rain at the south end dirtied our cars on the shuttle. We saw a couple of grouse on the ridge, but the wildlife thrill of the day was watching a sleek black bear eating berries along the highway in the Highwood River valley, way out in ranching country. The temperature at the south trailhead was 8 morning and afternoon, but it was a sunny 18 back at Longview. We all enjoyed supper at the Diamond Valley Restaurant in Black Diamond.

Participants: Bruce, Bernard, Mark, Jeanne, Gerry and Carl, coordinator and scribe.