Porcupine Lookout | Sand Bluff

Sand Bluff

Porcupine Lookout and Sand Bluff
Porcupine Hills, Alberta
June 2, 2022
Distance: 8.2 km (5.1 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 290 m (951 ft)

I read winter trip reports for Porcupine Lookout and Sand Bluff, but there are advantages to doing these hikes in the spring. On Porcupine Lookout, I welcomed the sight of wildflowers, and instead of postholing in snow off-track, I easily followed the road to Sand Bluff.

I parked at a fork in the road that gives easy access to both trips. For Porcupine Lookout, I took the trail that Sonny Bou used. It begins 300 m from the fork. I climbed the short trail and quickly reached the road where it enters the lookout grounds. A sign warns that only authorized persons are allowed. Respecting their wishes, I turned around without reaching the highest point. Given the hike's brevity and the lack of views, Porcupine Lookout is probably meaningless to anyone but a peakbagger.

Instead of returning on the trail, I trotted down the road. I passed my car and continued up the other road: the dirt road to Sand Bluff is less than 100 m from the fork. The maintained road was pleasant but was lined with trees, devoid of scenery. Only on reaching Sand Bluff did I have a viewpoint, mostly of an undulating forested landscape; snow-covered mountains were too distant to appreciate. The sand-coloured cliffs were a nice sight, although encroaching trees made it awkward to reach the edge. But there was no chance for me to get comfortable here. I was blasted by a strong wind, so I headed back.

I parked at the fork: left for the lookout, right for Sand Bluff