Porcupine Ridge from Wasootch PL Off-Trail hike on 1-May-2025

This was a really nice spring trip made possible by good sunny weather (+5c to +18c), some wind up high, mostly dry trail with no need for micro-spikes and lastly a very congenial group.

We left the cool, nearly empty Wascootch parking lot at 9.00am, walked over to Porcupine Creek, crossed the sturdy bridge and made our way up the creek trying to stay dry. We succeeded and continued up Porcupine Ridge over a few snow patches (but no spikes needed) to Francisco's high point of last week, Since there was now much less snow, we continued to my previous high point at 2070m. Here the route becomes trickier, so after taking several photos we backed down to treeline for a long lunch sheltered from the wind.

Refreshed we descended the way we had come, remaining cautious of the sometimes slippery terrain. We were back at the cars at 3.30pm and Shouldice before 5.00pm. Although the Wasootch parking lot was much fuller, we didn't see another human all day. About 10km, 770m gain in 6 1/2 hours.

Group on our high point of Porcupine Ridge

Group at our high point on Porcupine Ridge

Pinnacle adjacent to our high point on Porcupine Ridge

Porcupine Ridge

Descent of Porcupine Ridge

Descent of tricky bump on Porcupine Ridge

Group keeps their feet dry from Porcupine Creek

Thanks to participants: Bob, Jeannette, Clifton, guest + better photos Krystyna from C, S, and poorer photos David for making this such a good day.