Pig's Back

Pig’s Back
Kananaskis, Alberta
August 6, 2017
Distance: 14.2 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 588 m

Although low in stature, Pig’s Back has a couple of things going for it. First, the summit ridge extends into the Commonwealth Creek Valley to offer surprisingly good views. Even haze from a forest fire didn’t keep us from enjoying the sights at the top. And second, Pig’s Back can be hiked in a loop.

Following the usual route, Zora, Dinah and I hiked up the logging road to a Y intersection. We went left but would later return here on the main trail running alongside Commonwealth Creek. After crossing the creek, we followed the trail to a cutblock and turned right onto another trail. Being in trees, there was little to see until we came to Commonwealth Lake. And what a sight that was! Lacking even the slightest ripple, the entire surface acted as a huge mirror, so perfect that when seen from a distance, Dinah and I became disoriented. We thought we were gazing down into a valley before realizing it was a flawless reflection on the lake.

We continued past the lake, still in trees until the trail disappeared at the edge of a scree slope below the majestic east cliffs of Pig’s Back. Following the scree below the cliffs was the least favourite part of our trip. The side-sloping dragged on, and we were glad to reach the col that connects Commonwealth Peak to Pig’s Back. From the col, it’s a short hike to the summit. But there’s no point in stopping there. Most of the ridge is broad and flat and inviting. We ventured to the far end where I took a panorama.

After lunch, we returned to the col and dropped down the west side to a basin. At the end of the basin, we started down a trail alongside a dry creek. When we reached a gushing side stream, we knew from the instructions in Kananaskis Country Trail Guide to traverse right and look for a trail in scree. However, the broad drainage was covered in trees and bushes. Not wanting to miss the trail by ending up below it, we angled up a bit. When we reached a scree bank on the other side, we descended and hit the trail at a 90° angle. After traversing for a time, the trail suddenly leaves the scree and drops down. That’s where the trail became interesting. Steep, bushy and sometimes vanishing completely, it’s a wonder we stayed on track. But we quickly followed it to the bottom. Strangely, we found flagging there, the least helpful place for it.

We appeared at the edge of a valley that is expansive, bushy and utterly flat. Running down the valley is Commonwealth Creek. The creek is lined with dense willows here, but we headed west to a thin spot. Bushwhacking was gnarly but brief, and we stepped across two rivulets without getting our feet wet. We made our way to the main trail at the foot of an avalanche slope.

We followed the trail back to the logging road. Here our pace slowed as we stopped long and often to pick tiny but prolific strawberries lining the road. It was a sweet finish after climbing a ridge with an odd name, Pig’s Back.

KML and GPX Tracks

A juvenile grizzly gorges on roadside berries