Forgetmenot Ridge North Summit Hike

Where:

• Forgetmenot North Ridge Summit

 

When:

• November 13, 2023

 

Who:

• Ed, Craig, Peter, Roger, Rick, Kent, Kirk

 

Trailhead:

• from Bragg Creek, take AB 66 West for 33 km (30 minutes)
• park at the equestrian center, which is 1.7 km before the trailhead at Little Elbow Campground
• walk along the road that parallels the river and then turn left at the bridge
• once across the bridge follow the trail that leads along the Little Elbow and then crosses the Big Elbow
• shortly after crossing the Big Elbow the trail starts to ascend

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• 11 km
• 725 meters
• 4 hours
• it starts flat for the first 2 km and then is a steep cardio busting uphill for 2 km (500 meters) before becoming a somewhat gentler incline
• follow the cairns to stay on the trail

 

 

Interesting notes:

• it s/b noted that this was a Craigventure hike with Mr. McD doing all the organizing and driving me to the trailhead (what a treat to take a sabbatical)

• we were lucky that there was no water in the Big Elbow creekbed, but I am not sure what it is like at other times of the year
• the wind gusts were crazy at about 80 km/hour
• there are a couple of cool branches on the left-hand side on the steep ascent where people have somehow put rocks into the branches
• there is a huge rock mound and protective rock barricade at the summit
• the trail offers views of Nihahi Ridge, Powderface, Threepoint Mountain, many other peaks, and back to Calgary
• once you come out of the last set of trees to turn left to the summit, you can also turn right and do a long ridge walk that ends up being a 20 km round trip
• Forgetmenot was named in 1949 for its plethora of wildflowers including forget-me-nots