Starting off from the gated road east of the bridge
Indian Graves Ridge With mild winter weather persisting, and producing relatively dry conditions in the foothills, Dinah and I decided to traverse Indian Graves Ridge. The ridge isn't a grave endeavour but rather an enjoyable ridge walk. Although the central portion of the ridge is treed (we passed over the summit without realizing it), it is open to the sky at both ends. After reaching the north end of the ridge, we turned westward to hike to a high point in Willow Creek Hills. After dropping down to the creek that separates Indian Graves Ridge from Willow Creek Hills, we started up a road with the intention of making our way to an old well site. However, knee-deep snow persuaded us to well abandon our plans to visit the abandoned well. We post-holed to the ridge crest and headed to the high point. We weren't the first to reach the top that day. A deer peered at us through the trees before bounding away. After reaching the high point we had doubts that this was the highest point in the Willow Creek Hills. The map in the Kananaskis Trail Guide shows a triangle here, but after studying the NTS map, the highest hill appears to be a few klicks to the northwest. Apparently the triangle marks a view point, an open ridge a short distance from the treed high point. From the view point, we started heading south. At first we stayed on a ridge, but clearings in the forest dictated we follow the valley bottom instead. The grassy valley, bearing few trees, turned out to be a pleasant hike, and it led us to roads which we followed back to our car. |
Starting off from the gated road east of the bridge
Heading to the ridge crest
Looking back
Hiking along the crest
Willow Creek Hills on the left
Looking west at Hailstone Butte and Sentinel Peak (mouse over for a close-up)
The view east
The central portion of the ridge is mostly treed
Heading to the summit of Indian Graves Ridge
From
Indian Graves Ridge we head to Willow Creek Hills
In the valley, we head to the road winding through the trees
On the road
On the crest going to Willow Creek Hills view point
From the view point, views are confined to the south
Following the valley bottom
We were surprised to see so many tracks following the road
Passing by some striking rocks (mouse over for another view)
Almost back at the south end of Indian Graves Ridge
Panorama from the north end of Indian Graves Ridge
82 J/8 Stimson Creek and 82 J/1 Langford Creek
