Saskatoon Mountain

The trailhead to Saskatoon Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass (Alberta) starts right in the town of Coleman. If you’re staying locally there’s no worry of a late start and you can be on the trail in minutes. Heck, we got to sleep in! This lump of dirt and rock is more hill-like than mountain, but we don’t name them and either way, it’s a worthwhile destination. Yadda, yadda, yadda, it’s a good workout and all that fresh air, but truth is it’s the scenery we come for. Here there’s lots of it, of towering peaks and vast forests, big blue skies and quaint little towns nestled in a valley. So much to take in.

There’s a maze of trails in the area, but as long you’re on a north-easterly heading (roughly) and gaining elevation you’ll be fine. Begin at Flumerfelt Park just off the highway and head past what’s said to be the Biggest Piggy Bank in the World (aka Toots). Then hit the “Miners’ Path” and follow a little stream into a steep-walled valley. After a few minutes take the stairs heading steeply up to your right – they never seem to end!

Once at the top of the stairs (feel the burn!) continue north-ish ignoring any trails heading down or directly east. Then start the climb on a well used path. There’s a couple trails you can take, some direct and steep and others more relaxed and meandering. We mixed it up, but it’s all up to you. Soon the trees thin and with that comes some nice views. And as you get higher things only get better.

A rock outcrop above makes a fine viewpoint but we’d keep below on the up leg and visit it later. Flanking the hillside here we were sometimes off trail. The grades eases for a while but after a power-line right of way resumes for a stretch. Later it’s mellows again and even levels out in places. Here and there there a dip down but it’s all easy. Directly south, take in many big peaks of the Crowsnest Range. There are the domain of the scrambler meaning we’re unlikely to ever know them – Bob Spirko we ain’t.

The whole way up, it’s been a mix of woods and open meadow and it continues all the way to the top. The wind really howls here in the Pass, and almost constantly, and has a hand in shaping the many bent and battered trees seen. In exposed areas, they take on freakish forms or lean at strange angles. Many don’t make it either and the ridge is littered with their bleached bones – it’s a tough life on Saskatoon Mountain. Reindeer Moss (actually a Lichen) grows in abundance in the area – model railway guys know this stuff.

Oddly, the air was still on our visit. What? That’s so unlike the Pass! It was cool too, till we headed down that is and then was insufferable. Thank goodness the heat waited till the hard work was over.

One last minor drop and it’s a short climb to the summit. You’ve made it! Stand there, spin around and say ahhhhh. Most prominent in the west, it’s towering Crowsnest Mountain well off on it’s own and away from other major peaks. It’s not a volcano but looks the part. The jagged ridge to the north is called the Seven Sisters.

A little south, but still looking west, there’s Mount Tecumseh and Sentry Mountain split by a pass (the Crowsnest Pass in fact). In between and jammed in narrow space, there’s a couple lakes, the train tracks, the highway and little (relatively speaking) Crowsnest Ridge. Beyond, you’re looking into British Columbia.

To the north, there’s rolling hills much like Saskatoon Mountain. Some have names with McGillivray Ridge and Ma Butte most noteworthy and one day we hope to visit them.

Being on the edge of a motorized zone, we could hear many ATVs buzzing down below us in the forest. One dirt bike even made it to the top, and zipped past without so much as a pause to take in the view and was soon gone. A couple side trails come up from down there.

To the Northeast look for Grassy Mountain, scarred by coal mining. What you see is from the 1950s period, but a firm is presently looking to resurrect the operation. There’s still lots of mine-able material there and the whole thing a hot potato subject locally. Behind it’s a great wall of rock called the Livingstone Range and if you could peer through them (Superman could you know), you’d see the great plains. And so many wind turbines.

Bluff (or Goat) Mountain is further south and just beyond it’s href=”https://www.bigdoer.com/877/hikes-and-summits/turtle-mountain/”>Turtle Mountain. While looking pretty benign from this angle, the unseen side is the site of the disastrous Frank Slide. The rocks came down and with that many lives were lost or forever changed.

Below, the towns of Blairmore and Coleman are seen.

We did find Saskatoon Berries on Saskatoon Mountain, but the plants were small and most seemed to have been infected with cedar-apple rust. It won’t necessarily kill the plant but minimally ruins the fruit for that season. Look for the spikey Covid-looking spheres where a berry should be in the photo. Saskatoons are quite tasty and quite good for you too.

Once you’ve had your fill, head back the way you came (we hate leaving). We elected to keep to the ridge on the way down so we’d hit that viewpoint spoken of earlier. And what a fine one it was. That’s Coleman directly below and behind, what looks to be a large group of clearings was once a coal dump and storage area for a nearby mine.

There’s a memorial here for Ernest and Jack Goulding and seems both were active in Fraternal Organizations. You know, secret handshakes and stuff?

Dropping down, we intercept a well engineered trail (who ever built it went through a lot of trouble) and given how it was done, we suspect it was put in by a cycling club. It switchbacks down and for a time appears to head in the wrong direction before doubling back and meeting up with the main trail used on the up leg. Freshly trimmed trees along here drip with sap and the sticky stuff gets everywhere should you brush against it. Don’t get it on your shorts – just sayin’…

Back down the stairs followed by a short stroll by the gurgling creek and the adventure’s over. It was so damn hot by the time we were done, but sadly the splash park at Flumerfelt Park was non-operational. You bastards! Before heading out drop in a loonie or two in the piggy. The Lions do a lot of good in the community and maintain the Miner’s Path using funds collected here. They’re don’t have those cool mini-cars like the Shriners, but still they’re okay guys otherwise.

History notes: The Miners’ Path was used by workers heading to the McGillivray Coal Mine located a bit to the west.

Maybe we’ll meet on some mountainside, but till then happy trails…

They’re saying…”A great way to spend some spare time. I like to read one a day.” Byron Robb (Ed: thanks and at that rate you have many years of fun ahead of you).

Awesome hikes in the Pass…
Crowsnest Ridge – A multi-province adventure.
Hillcrest-Mohawk #5 – If you love mining history…
Adanac Ridge – The summit’s called Poker Peak.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: August, 2020.
Location: Crowsnest Pass, AB
Distance: 9km there and back.
Height gain maximum: 500m.
Height gain cumulative: 550m.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports.
Technical stuff and notes: If it’s windy, as it often is here, prepare to get blasted.

Big piggy!

Along the “Miner’s Path”.

The south end of Saskatoon Mountain.

At a break in the trees.

The forest thins & the views open up.

There’s one or two steep sections.

Crossing a powerline right of way.

Shaped by strong winds.

Mountains of the Crowsnest Range.

Trees lead a tough life on Saskatoon Mountain.

Reindeer Moss is actually a Lichen.

Grassy Mountain bears the scars of mining.

Crownsest Mountain dominates the west view.

Turtle Mountain, centre.

It stands alone.

Looking west(ish) towards BC.

Pointing north here.

Yes, there were Saskatoons…rusty ones though.

Reluctantly heading back.

Can’t resist another photo.

It’s mostly an easy going hike.

The down leg is always a bummer.

Lost in the grass.

The town of Coleman below.

A little memorial.

A fine viewpoint at a rock outcropping.

An alternate trail down.

Don’t get this sticky stuff on your shorts…just sayin’.

The viewpoint mentioned a few pics back is seen above.

Tired legs hate these stairs.

A loonie for the Lions.

Nine clicks & 500m up.