Pocaterra Ridge: In Photos

Descending from the first peak. Only 3 to go!
Descending from the first peak. Only 3 to go!

Although the days are getting shorter and colder, the mountains remain open and available for adventure. When my friend Adriane decided to put together a group to hike Pocaterra Ridge in the Highwood Pass area, I immediately said yes. I don’t do a ton of winter hiking, so this was a chance to complete another scramble and hike in my favourite playground before the snow hits. I had visited the area a few weeks prior to see the larches, and Pocaterra Ridge certainly makes a wonderful larch hike around the third week of September. Regardless, the scenery of Highwood Pass can’t be beat any time of year.

We completed Pocaterra Ridge as a shuttle hike. With two cars for the four of us, we parked one car at the Little Highwood Pass parking area on highway 40 and then headed to the main Highwood Pass parking lot to begin the hike for a south to north traverse. With 10 plus kilometres of forest, larches, four peaks, mountain and valley views, and a stream to cross, there’s no shortage of variety. The ascending and descending over the four peaks will also give your legs a great workout. Every day is leg day in the mountains…

Hiking onward to the ridge (on the right). The larches have lost their leaves, a sign that winter is around the corner.
Hiking onward to the ridge (on the right). The larches have lost their leaves, a sign that winter is around the corner.
It's a gorgeous ascent to the first peak
It’s a gorgeous ascent to the first peak
We made it to the ridge!
We made it to the ridge!
Mountains, valleys and peaks oh my!
Mountains, valleys and peaks oh my!
Rockfall Valley
Rockfall Valley
Mountains and valleys everywhere...
The peaks aren’t going to conquer themselves! Onward!
Ridge selfie :)
Ridge selfie 🙂

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Looking back from where we came with Mount Tyrwhitt in the distance at the end of Rockfall Valley
Looking back from where we came with Mount Tyrwhitt in the distance at the end of Rockfall Valley
Looking across to Elbow Lake, which is apparently a great place for backcountry camping
Looking east to Elbow Lake, which is apparently a great place for backcountry camping
Crossing a stream at the end of hike near the Little Highwood Pass parking lot
Crossing a stream at the end of hike near the Little Highwood Pass parking lot
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Author: rickohikes

Avid hiker, mountain lover and fitness enthusiast with insatiable wanderlust. Usually battling with an injury and my mental health, but I always persevere!

7 thoughts on “Pocaterra Ridge: In Photos”

  4. I admire the photos and experience you have,I cannot agree more what you said that we” need to slow down and smell the proverbial roses, and the world will give back in kind for the soul” for we are droped in a world where needs a soul to appreciate the beauty of the life.

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