You will see a sign for Porcupine Creek, about 15 kilometres from the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino on Hwy 40. This is where I parked my Qashqai behind two other vehicles just after 8 a.m. on Sunday.
I crossed the highway and followed the trail to the creek. A few false starts later, I ran along the creek and climbed over a few rocks before I began climbing a scrambly bit to the ridge.
Thankfully this sketchy uphill bit covered less than a kilometre. Then it was into the trees I ventured. I had planned to do the out and back but it turns out there was more to the trail than I had realized. Others on the trail were also first timers here and were equally surprised about the bonus trail.
The actual ridge (according to my map) is another kilometre through the woods from the pinnacles. (See slideshow below) Many people just stop here and take photos. Looking south you can see Wasootch Ridge, which was particularly exciting because I was just there a couple weeks ago.
I chatted with a Calgary couple – Pamela and Liam – quite a bit on the ridge before we decided to explore what was beyond the trees.
After some bushwhacking to avoid the snow, I made it to the summit of Porcupine Ridge, which leads to me to think the first ridge has another name? I don’t know. I think it may be called Porcupine Tower? All the names seem to be a little murky. More research on the mountains that I am exploring this year is a must do. There’s so much to learn.
By the time I reached the turn around spot – the summit – three couples taking in the views. There was a guy ahead of us all that seemingly disappeared. We guessed that he connected to another trail.
A few of us looked briefly for another trail to loop down but we didn’t see anything. I learned later that it is possible to connect to other mountains/trails in the area (Middway, Midnight) in a loop. On this day it was better to use turn around and head back the way I came.
There were tons of people starting the trail as I made my way down. However many stopped at the ridge and did not proceed through the trees. There are a few orange markers but you really have to look for them. My legs are pretty scratched up because I had tried to keep my feet dry.
I ran down as much as I could until I reach the scrambly bit. I kept my poles in my hydration pack although they probably would have helped my descent.
I really enjoyed this trail. Yes, I chose it mainly because the name – porcupine – sounded cool. I am definitely adding the loop to my list for 2020.
Have you hiked/run Porcupine Ridge? Do you have ever pick trails just because the name sounds cool? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.