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Cryon Hill
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
May 9, 2026
Distance: 7.8 km (4.8 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 432 m (1475 ft)
Cryon Hill offered a pleasant spring hike in Crowsnest Pass. While taller mountains to the west were still snow-covered, its 360° summit was dry. Conveniently, a broad trail passes within 150 m of the summit. Cryon Hill appears on peakery.com, while Drum Creek Trail can be found on AllTrails. The trail is an exploration road accessed by a brief footpath. After parking at the trailhead, I hiked a couple of minutes up the path to the old road.
After walking 500 m up the trail, I passed the remains of a large mining building. Certainly worth a closer look, and I did so on my way back. I continued up the trail, paying attention to intersections which often appeared. After passing a trail on my left, the end of the loop, I turned left at the next intersection. This trail runs over the pass between Cryon Hill and Hillcrest Mountain. The trail was mostly treelined, but opened up on the pass. I stepped off the trail and headed to the summit of Cryon.
I threaded through a maze of deadfall to reach the broad top. Hillcrest Mountain and Turtle Mountain dominated the view west, but I recognised smaller peaks such as Robertson, Tallon, and Poker. I had planned on descending the northeast slope, through a pine forest to an enticing meadow. But it proved to be impractical. Hidden in the dense forest were piles of dead trees, creating a nearly impenetrable maze. After a short fight, I turned around and returned to the trail to complete the loop.
Like the first section, the trail passed through a few clearings that offered pleasant views, but it included
some ups and downs. I startled a ruff grouse on the trail, and it soon hid in the dense foliage lining the
trail. Likewise, a spruce grouse quickly disappeared. Aside from avian encounters, the return to my car was
unremarkable.
The trail begins at the red No Exit sign
A 20 m footpath led to an exploration road.
Under a "Positively No Trespassing" sign, another reads: "Beware old mine workings. Owners assume
no liability for trespassers." In other words, if you trespass, be careful!
After hiking 500 m up the road, I passed a mining ruin
Continuing up the road
I continued straight ahead when I reached the
start of the loop
I turned left here
The trail runs to the pass
Glacier lilies lined the trail
Horsetail shoots
Behind is
Turtle Mountain
Looks like a moose went up the trail
The trail runs over the pass, but I went left to
reach the summit of Cryon Hill
The slope to the summit was strewn with deadfall
Prairie crocus abounded on the top
Phillipps Peak and
Mount Tecumseh
I started going down the north slope to the
ridge in the middle, but the trees were rife with deadfall, and I soon turned back
I continued down the trail. Ahead is the ridge I eyed from the top.
It would be easy to miss this left turn. Tallon
Peak lies in the distance.
Next to a path under a layer of coal, I noticed
this pit
On my way back, I stopped to go inside the
mining ruin I had passed earlier
82 G/9 Blairmore