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If you’re looking for a fun ridge hike, head to the Jumpingpound Summit Trail off Powderface Road – a dirt access road in Kananaskis County, Alberta. Once you reach the treeline, you’ll have beautiful views of the peaks of the Fisher Range, while to the east of Jumping Pound Peak, massive Moose Mountain dominates the view. In summer enjoy the wildflowers.
Most people enjoy the northern portion of the Jumpingpound Summit Trail as an out-and-back hike. If you have friends keen to join you – and you have a car – you can hike the entire ridge and finish at the Canyon Creek parking lot.
The route is mostly possible until the road closes on December 1st. In the spring according to Gillian Davern, “Snow can be waist deep on a lee-slope section of the North RidgeSo either be ready to scrabble over the boulder field – or simply wait and crank it up starting later in June.
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Where is Jumpingpound Summit’s headquarters?
From Calgary, drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway. Get off at Exit 143 – Sibbald Creek Road. Go south then west Highway 68/Sibbald Creek Trail For about 23 km. It’s a dirt road in places. Shortly after passing Sibbald Lake Recreation Area, turn left or south onto Powderface Road – also a dirt road Closed from December 1 to May 15 every year. Follow it for 10.2 km to the Lusk Pass parking area on the right (or west). The Jumpingpound Summit trail starts across the road – and is signed.
Your other option is to take Highway 66 to where it meets the Powderface Trail at the intersection leading to the Little Elbow Regional Recreation Area. Drive north 18 km on Powderface Road to the Lusk Pass parking area.
Expect to have a dusty or muddy car at the end of the trip on Powderface Road.
Do you need a permit?
You are in Kananaskis country so you will need to Kananaskis Conservation Trail. They are easy to purchase online but you will need a license plate number. It’s $15 for the day or $90 for an annual pass.
Jumpingpound track location
Jumpingpound Summit Trail Summary
distance: 14.6 km round trip hike or 8.8 km one way if you have two vehicles and one parked at the Canyon Creek parking lot on the Powderface Trail.
Height gain: 701 m (2,300 ft)
difficulty: Moderate due to elevation gain and distance.
Time needed: Allow 5 – 6 hours depending on your pace and the time you are hiking. In the summer, you may want to enjoy an extended lunch at the top with a great view Mount Moss.
Dogs: Allowed on leash.
Wildlife: It’s bear country, so you can easily carry bear spray to get there. I recommend a Bear spray case.
water: The only water is in the creek you cross at the beginning and end of the trip. On a hot summer day, you can fill a water bottle e.g This is with a microfilter For the drive home.
Don’t forget: Pack 10 Hiking basics. It can be quite puffy on top so make sure you have extra layers.
please: Practice the seven Leave no trace principles. There are no trash cans at the trailhead, so pack whatever you have packed.
Description of the Jumpingpound summit trail
From the Lusk Pass parking lot, cross Powderface Road (the freeway) to the signed Jumpingpound trailhead. In no time at all, cross a bridge over Jumpingpound Creek and then begin hiking a series of long switchbacks through the forest.
The trail moderates briefly and then climbs more steeply to reach the tree line and the south end of the Cox Hill Ridge Trail. I have covered 4.1 km to this point.
The path to the top of Jumpingpound
Turn right to stay on the Jumpingpound Summit Trail. that it 3.2 km one way To reach the summit from the junction with the Cox Hill Trail. The hills undulate all the way to the summit, but you can count on some hiking on a flat surface. The wind blew us at times as we climbed this section of the route in mid-October. I usually warm up quickly, but on this day I didn’t take my coat off at all.
We passed a large cairn – you can climb to the top from here and walk a short distance. Instead, we continued on to the next intersection. From there, heading uphill is the obvious route to the top of Jumpingpound, a short 5-7 minute hike at 320 metres.
After taking a few photos from the summit, it was easy to descend and escape the wind. However, on a quiet day, this would be a perfect place to relax – enjoy lunch and take in the stunning views.
Get off the top
It’s a quick and direct ride back to the parking lot from Jumpingpound Summit. The clouds above our heads – a Chinook bow if I’m not mistaken – although I didn’t expect them in this area, heralded warm, dry winds.
Additions to the Jumpingpound Summit height
If you have two cars, you can leave one at the Dawson County Recreation Area (Here on Google Maps) and another at Lusk Pass. Hike up Cox Hill Cox Hill Track – Part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Follow it for 3.0 km to meet the Jumpingpound Ridge trail.
Then exit and return to Jumpingpound Ridge Summit and drop down to the Lusk Pass trailhead where you left the other car. You’ll have a full day of hiking – covering a total of 19.8 km.
Another option, again with two cars, is to hike Cox Hill, then follow along the Jumping Pound Trail, to finish at the Canyon Creek parking lot. This will be about 16.5 kilometers long but will require more driving.
What to do on this trip
If you want to learn more about the wildflowers you see on the Jumpingpound Summit Trail, do so A guide to Alberta’s trees and wildflowers. Starting in mid-July and for about a month, you can expect to see wildflowers along the ridge.
At lunchtime a Pillow pomn Great for comfort – and especially great on wet or cold days.
Once the cold weather comes, pack a few things Hand warmers like these.
Where to stay nearby
There is bookable camping available at Sibbald Lake Regional Campground Off Sibbald Creek Road. There are 134 unserved sites with availability from mid-May through the second week of October.
Check my The Complete Guide to Camping in Kananaskis For all camping options.
If you’re a fan of glamping, you might like this Skyridge Glamping Right off Interstate 40 – although a little pricey.
the Kananaskis Wilderness Lodge It is an affordable option in a great location.
close Sundance by Basecamp Offers tipis, cabins, family camping tents and more.
More hikes in the general area that you’ll want to try
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