Our choice for a mid-summer loop in the Opal Range was stunningly beautiful and also the true essence of wilderness. We met up with Ron’s Pocaterra Ridge group at the Little Highwood Pass parking area, and agreed to get together for supper if we came out at the same time, then headed north on a well-beaten path in the deep woods in wet vegetation from the dewy, 4 degree morning. We zigged when the trail zagged and ended up far to the right of our objective when we broke the treeline.

Hey, we should be over there on the pass!

Punishment for going up the wrong slope is Scree Purgatory

To get there from where we were put us into Scree Purgatory, our punishment for not knowing instinctively where the trail should have gone.

Stunning views from Gap/Elpoca col

After crossing a scree fan and very rugged scree gulley, we got on the right slope and climbed easily to the col, where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch in mild conditions and stunning scenery, truly Hikers’ Paradise. The views were outstanding. We could see Ron’s group climbing up Pocaterra Ridge but they didn’t see us.

The Elpoca Creek bowl revealed

This is the view before us. To the far right, the col between Elpoca Creek and Opal Creek, then the green, grassy hill that Gillean Daffern describes as a good trip, then the canyon of Elpoca Creek leading left.

The Inner Sanctum of the Opal Range

We followed intermittent game trails along a low ridge to Elpoca Creek. There was some residual hail on the slope from the bad weather of the day before, causing one slip and wrenched arm. The view of the Inner Opal Range from upper Elpoca Creek was impressive.

Amazing view of Waka Nambe above Aster Lake

The view down the valley to Waka Nambe, above Aster Lake, was an amazing sight.

The col and Gap Mountain from the north

We could see back to the pass and Gap Mountain from Elpoca Creek.

The incredibly green and steep slopes of Elpoca Creek

The steep, green slopes at the confluence of the north fork were reminiscent of the hill in Gloucester where competitors roll down such a slope for a chunk of cheese.

Mike and Jim rest on the Elpoca Bridge

We had to do a lot of sidehill gouging on the north side of the canyon, following snippets of game trail, and made our second mistake by dropping finally to the creek, where we crossed, with difficulty, to Mosquito Purgatory, where the bush was almost impenetrable, then crossed back, with difficulty, to a good trail, which in a few hundred metres delivered us, to our surprise and relief, to the bridge on the old road (Valleyview Trail). Then our last task was to follow bear tracks in the road for an hour of uphill walking back to the cars, where Ron’s group had arrived. We all enjoyed dinner at the Kananaskis golf club to end a fabulous day.

Animals seen on the drive: coyote, deer. Participants: Michael, Jim and Carl, coordinator and scribe.