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Grizzly - Highwood Ridge / Paradise Valley

GPS Track

Panoramic view east from Grizzly Ridge looking across Paradise Valley to Highwood Ridge.  Grizzly Peak center left

August 11, 2023

Great loop in Highwood area linking two fantastic ridgelines via gorgeous Alpine valley.  It is not trip for beginners as connecting, self coined "Grizzwood" Ridge has parts of moderate, mildly exposed scrambling followed by off-trail navigation.  This encompassing trip gives most rewarding experience of the area;  less demanding options include out-and-back Grizzly Ridge / Peak or Highwood Ridge, both returning the same way and requiring separate trips.  Besides doing a loop, variation presented here also offers opportunity to visit rarely visited Paradise valley tucked between two ridges.  Loop can be done in either direction, but I advise CCW as presented in this report.

Trailhead is Highwood Pass, highest pass in Canada reached by paved and maintained road.  Note that Hwy40 is closed Dec 1 - Jun 15.  Considering high elevation and overall unpredictable weather trip is best done in high-summer or early fall.  From trailhead follow popular Pocaterra Cirque trail, noting (unmarked) junction in 20-25 min (GPS Track download top of page) where direct route to Highwood North forks in. This is where you will close the loop if doing full traverse.   Past Pocaterra Tarn keep left at another unmarked junction (straight leads to Pocaterra Ridge).   This section is specially beautiful in Autumn as abundance of golden larches paint valley golden-yellow.  Grizzly Col is reached via moderately steep trail slicing talus slope on left side (see Gallery), about 1.5 hrs from parking.  If not windy this is super spot for quick break.  West side is Kane route for Mt. Tyrwhitt (steep, lose, not recommended) while gentler east side gives easy access to Grizzly Ridge - 20-25min above the col.  Ridge is then followed south (left) for another half an hour to highpoint - Grizzly Peak.  During both of my visits it had register.

"Grizzwood" ridge is directly below and if not to your liking, simply return the same way via Grizzly Col.  Descent is lose and has sections of moderate scrambling;  caution is needed.  It will take at least half an hour to low point;  Highwood North is directly across and if not going to Paradise valley remainder of the ridge is easier.  I dropped down steep shale to head of Paradise Valley, angling skier left as soon as feasible to utilize patches of grass.  Highwood ridge can then be ascended anywhere but I found easiest to follow grassy bench on left (east) side of the valley until intercepting obvious drainage, then easily clambered to the ridge.   Rounded ridgewalk to Highwood north is probably scenic highlight; much more exploration on a bluebird can be done.  Drop down Highwood North to Pocaterra Trail is steep but straightforward and will take 40-45 minutes, with great views of Mt Rae and Arethusa rising above Ptarmigan Cirque.  Parts of scramble route over Arethusa Col to Burns Lake can also be observed from here.

Gallery