6. JUMPINGPOUND MOUNTAIN

A great first official summit for the youngsters.

LOCATION

Highway 1 approach: drive west on Highway 1. Turn onto Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68). Drive about 23 km and turn left onto Powderface Trail. Carefully drive along Powderface Trail for about 16.7 km to a pullout on the right (west) side of the road. This is the trailhead.

Bragg Creek approach: from the intersection of Highways 22 and 66, drive west on Highway 66 for about 28 km to where it becomes Powderface Trail. Carefully drive along Powderface Trail for about 18 km to a pullout on the left (west) side of the road.

Powderface Trail can be exhilarating or nerve-wracking to drive. Obey the speed limits.

DISTANCE

6.8 km return

ELEVATION GAIN

417 m; high point: 2240 m

DIFFICULTY

Strenuous, recommended for children aged seven and older. Hard-packed trail for the first half. Loose rock and dirt on the second half.

SEASON

Summer and early fall.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST FOR CHILDREN

Another “feather in your cap” summit that the kids will love.

1.Cross the gravel road and find the obvious trail and trail sign. Follow the trail up for 2.5 km to the next trail sign. The terrain is never overly steep, but almost all the elevation gained during the trip happens during this part.

2.Turn left at the next trail sign. Follow this trail for several hundred metres to another sign.

3.Turn right and follow the final trail to the unmarked summit, a short distance away. Enjoy the excellent view and then return the same way you came in.

Going Farther

For some extra exercise, it is possible to continue following the ridge in a northeasterly direction, over to the next high point, about 1 km away. An additional 700 m takes you to a lower high point. Return the same way you came in.

Sarah Hunt, 7, helps her dad geocache (Courtesy Ian Hunt).

Nicole Lisafeld stops to enjoy a fine view to the west (Courtesy Shannon Young).

Jumpingpound Mountain, page 18, Matthew and Mera Hobbs and Crux the dog at the summit, with Moose Mountain behind (Courtesy Brianne Hobbs).

Jumpingpound Mountain, page 18, don’t forget to check out the smaller things (Courtesy Nicole Lisafeld).