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“Two Mine Ridge”
Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
April 12, 2008

Distance: 14.0 km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 701 m

The avalanche risk in the Rockies was so high the advisory read: “Better to dust off the bike and go for a ride.” Dinah and I didn’t get on our bikes, but we did dust off our hiking boots to take on the Two Mine Trail described in Hiking the Historic Crown est Pass. Despite the name, much of the trip was off-trail. Since we reached a ridgetop, it seems apt to call it "Two Mine Ridge."

The trail reaches a high point on the south end of Livingstone Range. We didn’t do the suggested one-way trip since it involves taking two vehicles. Instead, we started at the cemetery and followed the ridge up. We saw little sign of the old mining road we were to take. Either it was overgrown, had deteriorated or was buried under snow. We hiked offtrail, bushwhacked and scrambled up the ridge.

There was much more snow than we expected, and although most of it was firm, we did a fair amount of postholing. We saw little evidence of any old mining activity (Leitch Collieries would have been a better starting point for that). Because we were often in the trees, the views were limited, but Turtle Mountain presents its best side to the ridge.

After reaching the summit, we had little interest in retracing our steps back along the ridge. So we hiked back a short way from the summit and dropped down the west side before making our way to our car.

Although not an exciting trip, it was certainly more challenging and interesting than we expected. But I don’t recommend this trip when there is so much snow!

GPX and KML Tracks


The graveyard start is suggested in the guidebook


We headed to the ridge


Hiking on the ridge


As we climbed, snow patches appear


We passed a mine subsidence hole (mouse over to see down it)


More snow but it's firm


The first false summit appears ahead


Looking back


A closer look at the false summit


The grade was rather gentle


Dinah follows me up


We passed near a precipitous drop


Turtle Mountain


Hillcrest Mountain


We hit more snow (mouse over to look back)


And more snow!


From the first false summit, we saw the final section of the ridge and the true summit on the left


Second false summit ahead


Starting up the second false summit


Reaching the second false summit (mouse over to look back)


From the second false summit we see the true summit


The ridge narrows


Robertson and Talon Peaks


On the summit


Looking north at Livingstone South Peak


Starting down from the ridge


On our way back we came across a deer antler


We also saw wild turkeys


And curious deer


Blairmore 82 G/9

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