Trail Hill

Trail Hill
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
August 29, 2023
Distance: 7.8 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 350 m

I finally got around to doing Trail Hill since it was one of my last hikes in Crowsnest Pass. Since Trail Hill Trail appears on maps, I was expecting to cruise up a path. Boy was I wrong! If scratches and torn clothing were a measure of bushwhacking, then this “trail” would be my worst bushwhacking ordeal. Contrary to the hill's name, much of the trail has disappeared under rampant vegetation.

I tried following the trail, but quickly learned it's not straightforward. It comprises three roads. I probably could've driven my Subaru up the first road, but the other roads were overgrown. The third road was especially bad, and I battled stretches of tangled bushes. Eventually I lost sight of the road and began bushwhacking. Near the summit, I picked up a vague trail and followed it to the base of the summit bump. A brief climb up a grassy slope brought me to the broad hilltop.

On the little hill, I met with hazy views all around. However, I was expecting wildfire smoke to blunt my views. But since Trail Hill is surrounded by tall mountains, there would be little to see even on a clear day.

After dismissing the views, I sat down on a log. I treated a couple of cuts, counted the rips in my pants and had a bite to eat. There was no reason to linger, so I started back down. I was going through dense bushes when I heard a tremendous crash ahead, the sound of breaking branches. I had been yelling to make my presence known and must have startled a huge animal. I took out my bear spray but never caught sight of whatever it was. I finished my hike without further incident.

Needless to say, I don't recommend hiking Trail Hill Trail. A better way to reach Trail Hill might be a winter ascent using routes set by Sonny Bou or Dave McMurray.

I started up the road on the right and immediately turned right, crossed a bridge and soon turned left