Rockies :: Alberta Foothills :: Jumpingpound Mtn |
 
East Ridge Panorama from Jumpingpound Summit. Moose Mtn. center, Prairie Mtn. to its left. Prairies and Calgary far upper left |
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| Trip Summary | ||||||
Multiple Dates, last May 24, 2025Jumpingpound Mtn is fantastic ridgewalk with open views on east side of Powderface Trail Road in front ranges of K-country. Presented here are 2 loop hikes approaching the summit respectively from North and South Side; many other variations are possible. With 2 cars it is also possible to combine these 2 variations by doing a through hike. In that case I'd probably favour S->N direction. Other alternative is to start from Dawson Trailhead thus adding Cox Hill to the mix; this is apparently popular with trail-runners, but for hikers makes quite a long day. Possible extension is East Ridge traverse towards Moose Mountain, described in standalone hiking page.
Note that Powderface Trail Road is closed December 1 - May 14. Road is fairly rough at spots, due to damage in spring '13 epic floods but still 2WD passable. If coming from Calgary, it is also possible - but a bit longer - to approach via Bragg Creek / Elbow Trail, instead of Sibbald road.
This version ascends North ridge from Lusk Pass trailhead and descends back to Powderface Trail Road via "Jumpingpound summit trail" (most direct route). Bicycle or 2 cars are good idea as walk back involves ~5km of rather mundane gravel road walk. Park at Lusk Pass trailhead, about 11km from Sibbald trail junction. There is parking room at both sides of the road. TCT (Trans-Canada trail) sign is here too. Cross the bridge over Jumpingpound creek (brand new post floods) then settle for long series of switchbacks. Mind the mountain bikers. ~1hr of steady ascent (4km, 450m vertical) brings you to junction with Cox Hill trail. Continue right and break treeline. Trail ascends to the ridge, then briefly dips in the forest again on the left (east) side. From there it is delightful open ridgewalk with sweeping views all around, leading to Jumpingpound 'summit' -- highest bump along the ridge. Moose Mtn. looks fantastic from this angle lit by late afternoon light. You can readily study connecting ridge that curls NE before ascending Moose mountain -- fantastic long day option.
From Jumpingpound summit either return the same way, or drop south and follow trail to the junction with east ridge. Continuing straight would eventually bring you to Canyon Creek described lower dwon; turn right and descend to Powderface Trail Road (about 3km from the summit only). Hopefully second car, or at least a bicycle is waiting here in order to avoid 5km road walking back to Lusk Pass trailhead. |
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Gallery |
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Start of Jumpingpound Ridge at Cox Hill junction |
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Open ridge with views east to Moose Mountain |
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Central part of the ridge. Summit is bump in the center |
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Looking back length of north ridge. Cox Hill center right |
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Final summit approach. South ridge trail forks on the right |
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Summit views looking NW to sea of front-range peaks |
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Summit views NE to Moose Mountain group |
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Connecting ridge between Moose north and south summits |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D3 | Moderately steep ascent to the treeline followed by ridge-walk on open terrain | |||
| Snow Factor | S2 | Ridge is frequently windblown and free of snow. Snowshoes or spikes might be required on the ascent | |||
| Scenery | Sweeping scenery of front ranges and foothills | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Excellent | Wide switchbacks to the ridge, shared with mountain bikers. All junctions are marked. Trail fades on occasion in open terrain along the ridge but way is obvious. | |||
| Suggested Time | 5-6 hrs | Time for approach from Lusk Pass trailhead. Much variations are possible to shorten or extend the day | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1640m Max: 2250m Total: ~650m | Round Trip: ~16km (return via Powderface road) | |||
| Gear | Day hikers sufficient in dry conditions. Micro-spikes useful in shoulder season or winter because of ice below treeline. Wind-breaker essential as ridge is wind-blown year round | ||||
| Water | Dry hike. Carry 1.5-2L | ||||
| Dog Friendly | Yes | Standard back-country travel precautions | |||
Jumpingpound North GAIA Map
Jumpingpound North Elevation Profile
Google Map |
South Jumpingpound Ridge |
GPS Track |
South Ridge is less popular from north side, main reason being its mainly forested nature. Only open section lasts less that 10 minutes at the southernmost end. However this open section is superb viewpoint indeed and offers sweeping vista of Powderface Trail corridor as well as Canyon Creek drainage access to Bryant Range / Mt. Howard.
Park at "Memorial Parking" pullout, just as road starts descent towards Canyon Creek crossing - or even directly at first downhill switchback ~100m south. Follow grassy exploration road less than 10 minutes, then turn off into South Ridge trail after crossing creek (see Gallery). Trail is well defined and after crossing bit of meadow ascends in moderate grade to start of South Ridge. After exiting tree cover hike a bit off trail to left side to rock outcrop - superb panoramic viewpoint. This is excellent spot for a lunch. Remained of the walk to standard Summit trail is forested and not exciting. At the junction continue straight and reach Jumpingpound Mtn in another 10-15min.
Descent via Summit trail back to Powderface is quite pleasant; every time I went here I spotted Spruce Grouse lunging and looking for mating partners. Halfway down is also open viewpoint with wood bench (few minutes of main trail and junction is not marked, but fairly obvious) - it would be acceptable last break of the day. Walk back on road for ~3km to the parking and closing of the loop is mundane but short enough not to be overly boring.
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Gallery |
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 Canyon Creek Exploration Road
Initial part follows Canyon Creek Exploration road |
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 Jumpingpound South Junction
AB Parks Trail map ~10min from the start. Cross bridge and turn left onto South Jumpingpound Trail (Waypoint '1 - South Ridge Junction, GPS Track Download above) |
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 Horse Meadows
Crossing bit of meadow with herd of probably wild horses curiously staring |
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 Snow Drifts
Trail levelling after ~30min of moderate grade. Occasional snow drifts during my May '25 hike didn't present much problems |
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 Jumpingpound South Panorama
Bluff Panorama from open part of South Ridge ~1hr from trailhead |
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 Canyon Creek
Telephoto of Canyon Creek approach for Bryant Range (R) and Mt. Howard (L) |
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 Jumpingpound Summit Junction
Marked junction with standard Jumpingpound Summit Trail some 40min of forest enclosed hike from south viewpoint |
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 Jumpingpound Mtn
Jumpingpound Mountain summit looking SE. Moose Mtn center left, length of forested south ridge right |
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 Spruce Grouse
Curious Spruce Grouse on descent via Summit Trail |
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 Spruce Grouse
Another shot of Spruce Grouse; preoccupied with efforts of finding a mate, it was not afraid at all |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D3 | Moderately steep ascent to the treeline | |||
| Snow Factor | S2 | Possible snowdrifts. Snowshoes or spikes might be required on the ascent | |||
| Scenery | Sweeping scenery of front ranges and foothills | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Excellent | Well defined trail, sometimes shared with mountain bikers and horses. All junctions are marked. | |||
| Suggested Time | 4-5 hrs | Described loop with road walk return to Canyon Creek. Possible variations can extend the day by several hrs | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1750m Max: 2250m Total: ~660m | Round Trip: ~13km (return via Powderface road) | |||
| Gear | Day hikers sufficient in dry conditions. Micro-spikes useful in shoulder season or winter because of ice below treeline. Wind-breaker essential as ridge is wind-blown year round | ||||
| Water | Dry hike. Carry 1.5-2L | ||||
| Dog Friendly | Yes | Standard back-country travel precautions | |||
Jumpingpound South GAIA Map
Jumpingpound South Elevation Profile