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Rockies :: Alberta Foothills :: Horton Hill

GPS Track

Panoramic Views south from clearing in upper parts of Horton Hill.  Lusk Pass trail and  Baldy Mtn left,  Barrier Lake just right of center.  Sibbald Road below

February 24, 2021

Horton Hill is forested bump rising east above Barrier Lake information center on Hwy 40 (Kananaskis Trail).  It owes its name to nearby Tim Hortons Children Ranch.  At one point old logging road above the ranch was used to ascend Horton Hill, but it has been overgrown and normal access now is -- as popularized in Daffern K-Country Trail Guide series -- from  Sibbald Road above Lusk Recreation area.  Hike is mostly without trail up semi-open forested slopes, but direction is obvious.   It is possible to extend the trip by continuing east on treed Horton Ridge to next bump on the horizon and then descend to Sibbald Road some 2km east from Lusk Parking.   This extension can not be recommended as it involves significant bushwhack, while the views are almost non-existent.

Park at signed Lusk Recreation area,  ~1.5km east from Hwy 40.  It is possible to head up almost anywhere, but for easiest line walk back to Sibbald Road then head up open slopes just before the shoulder (first photo in gallery).  Initial rise is bit steep but soon it mellows.  Follow your nose up semi-open forest following path of least resistance.  About an hour of fast pace brings you to large clearing with spectacular views -- much better than you get from the "summit".   Continuing up bits of trail develop and lead through some deadfall up final slope to Horton Ridge.  Old trail from Horton Ranch intersects here;  turn right by the arrow and reach Horton "Summit" within minutes.  Large canister hosts the register,  not expected for this kind of "summit", but views are limited.   Return the same way.   On my GPS track I utilized alternate descent line below the clearing following some old snow tracks, but this line was not as good as the ascent line.  Eventually it ended at valley bottom intersecting trail that links Lusk Parking and Horton Ranch.

Gallery