Lineham Ridge

Day hike
Unofficial trail & route, creek crossings
Distance: 6.5 km
High point: 2515 m
Height gain: 875 m
Maps: 82 J/7 Mount Head, 82 J/10 Mount Rae

Access: Kananaskis Trail (Hwy. 40) at Lineham Creek day-use area.
NOTE: this section of Highway 40 is closed between December 1st and June 15th.

This has become one of my favourite places despite that first foray in a fall blizzard. For the most part, there's an amazingly good trail to treeline, followed, for the most part, by an easy-angled grassy ridge. Real grass, not just Dryas. A fine vantage point from which to study all the eastern cirques of Lineham Creek.

The trail leaves the far end of the parking lot and climbs along the left bank of Lineham Creek, its narrow V-shaped well-concealed by the western outliers of the Highwood Range. Beyond the canyon overlook (detached pinnacle), the trail passes between the outliers, climbing up and down lush meadows with lupines and paintbrushes. Back at valley bottom, the main trail crosses the creek and recrosses above the north fork. (At high water omit both crossings by following a fainter trail along the left bank. Just before the mouth of the north fork, a smaller creek which materializes on your right (the north fork tributary) should be crossed at the first opportunity. Head across to join the main trail after its second crossing.) At the base of Lineham Ridge is a trail junction at GR597926 on 82 J/7.

At the junction keep left and climb the bank onto the flat south end of the ridge. Continue through open pine forest, watching for blazes, particularly where the trail wends left to a steepening all across the ridge. Be alert for an intersecting game trail. You'll know if you've passed it because the trail peters out. Climb up right on game trail to patchy meadows on the east side of the ridge. Turn left uphill. In long grasses the trail is hard to find, but you should be able to pick it up where it returns to the pines. Gradually the forest opens up and cliffs make their first appearance on the east flank. The trail ends below the meadow section, the ridge broadening at this point, a little mane of rocks running up the ridge-line. This is followed by the rock ridge. Anyone unhappy with the considerable drop on the right side can piece together snippets of trail on the left . Arrive at a saddle, then continue up the ridge which is once again narrowing and steepening above a drop-off. Pass a cairn, descend slightly, then climb up to a post stuck in a cairn at GR582972 (82 J/10). This is a wonderful spot to end the walk. Apart from the view, which takes in everything between Plateau Mountain and the Opal Range, the grass is Slumber-rest quality and covered in alpines. (Scramblers! The connecting ridge to peak GR583979 is moderately difficult with one exposed traverse.)

OPTIONAL RETURN via Lantern Creek? From the post descend the occasionally steep ridge to the left of the gully, into Lantern's southeast fork. This valley is a lot more complex than it appears from above, where it seems you can navigate from one "flat" meadow to another. Even under the trees, long grasses conceal ankle-breaking rocks and rotted logs Strangely, there are no game trails that we could find. Aim for the confluence of the southeast and east forks. Cross the east fork and join Picklejar Lakes trail. Turn left, and head out to Lantern Creek parking lot.

Pick up stashed bikes and enjoy a 5.7 km ride back along Hwy. 40 to Lineham Creek.