| #47 Two O'Clock Ridge Duration ~ full day Access ~ Park your vehicle close to campsite #12 at the Two O'Clock Creek Recreation Area campground, located 61 km west of Nordegg or 22 km east of the Banff National Park boundary on Highway #11. 0.0 trailhead This is a great day hike for those who like to give their legs and their lungs a good stretch. The reward for a long and relentlessly steep climb is a gloriously panoramic view on top.
Your well-defined, gravel trail begins across the road from #12 campsite. The trail leads up a set of stone steps to a gate and cattle guard that takes you into the Kootenay Plains Cavalcade Group Camp. At the gate the trail forks. Bear to the right and walk along the road toward the toilets. Behind the toilets is a fence and another cattle guard. Here, you intersect with a broad footpath. Turn left and begin a slow, easy climb up through open bush of poplar, spruce and some pine trees. Taking the right-hand fork takes you back to the campground. In late spring and early summer the grasslands abound in Indian paint brushes, purple and white asters, wild roses, the lovely blue harebell and yarrow. Within 100 m a secondary trail joins the main footpath. Turn right onto this narrower path; the trail to the left leads into the Sundance Lodge Loop hike. Continue your slow climb upwards through open poplar stands. At a fork in the trail keep to the left; going right returns you to the campground. Continue to climb. At yet another fork keep to the right along the main path. To the left is an informal campsite. Shortly beyond this point you come to Two O'Clock Creek. Cross the log "bridge" and find the trail as it leads upstream along a low ridge. You have gained a little elevation by now and Mount William Booth and Excoelis Mountain are visible behind you. At a fork in the trail there is a choice. You can keep on the main footpath by taking the right-hand fork, or if you wish to keep Two O'Clock Creek in sight, take the left-hand or lower fork. The latter connects with the main footpath at 1.5 km. There are several braids in the main trail as it climbs along the ridge. Keep to the left until a junction in the trail; it is here that Two O'Clock Creek takes a 90 degree turn to the right and this is where the lower trail along the creek joins the main footpath. At the junction turn right and continue to climb steeply. A faint footpath joins from the right at the two-km mark; ignore it and bear to the left to remain on the main trail. As you climb, an open ridge above you to the right comes into view. That is your destination. The trail becomes even steeper after a major intersection with a trail from the left. If you are low on water nip down the left fork 100 m to the creek, for this will be the last chance to fill your water bottle. Otherwise, keep to the right and climb, climb, climb. Spruce trees and junipers make this a pretty hike, giving the slope a park-like setting above the creek valley. Two O'Clock Ridge is straight ahead. The trail climbs sharply to the top of the ridge, offering great views ahead. It then descends into a boggy area where the beautiful round-leaved orchid and purple violet can be found. Climbing out of the bog, the trail swings onto another ridge to continue its relentless march upward. When you arrive at the edge of the ridge there is a fork in the trail. Bear to the right and continue the ascent; the trail to the left is a game trail that descends to the creek. When returning, this junction is easy to miss. Watch for the surveyor's tape in the trees that marks the way. Stop occasionally to catch your breath and to enjoy the glorious view. The top of Tuff Puff is on your left. Below are cliffs of red shale that herald the Two O'Clock Creek gorge. As the trail approaches a set of low cliffs, it peters out. Climb on top of the grassy slope to avoid the cliffs. From here, the trail becomes faint as it winds through the trees and open areas. From time to time there is surveyor's tape in the trees to mark the way. Stay within 30 m of the edge of the gorge. As you reach the base of the first knob below Two O'Clock Ridge the trail veers to the right away from the gorge. After the trail swings back to the left the hike becomes a bit of a scramble up through the scree. At the top of the knob you can see the destination so continue up the open ridge. In late spring, the lichen-covered scree slope is sprinkled with wild strawberries, purple sweet vetch and pretty miniature snapdragons called butter-and-eggs. Two rock cairns confirm your arrival at the peak of Two O'Clock Ridge. Below, to your left, is a large lush meadow with a small stream running through it. The top of Tuff Puff is beyond the meadow, and far, far below is Highway #11, the confluence of the Siffleur and North Saskatchewan Rivers, and the Kootenay Plains. If you had an early start, or if you intend to camp in the meadows below, continue along the ridge. From atop the peak ahead you can see Landslide Lake. Remember to add a rock or two to the cairns before returning the way you came.
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