Volcano Ridge
Table of contents
This is a relative low effort high reward hike up a grass topped foothill of the Rockies just west of turner valley. From the top we have great views as the foothills turn into the towering peaks of the Rockies.
Route Description for Volcano Ridge
This is a good hike to do early and late season when the rest of the peaks in the region are covered in snow, as due to its lower elevations you will likely find good footing.
As we set out the trail will likely be very muddy, largely as a result of cows that roam freely in the area, and while it will improve after the first 0.5 km it will likely continue to have extensive muddy sections for the first 2.0 km.
A kilometer from the parking lot you will cross a bridged creek, then pass the turnoff on the left that heads to Mount Ware, and continue straight/right towards Volcano Ridge.
From this point you will pass through grassy meadows as you follow the same creek we just crossed. Just after we dip back into the trees you will reach a junction at the km mark, take a left (a right will also reach the summit).
The trail will improve from this point. After a flat section we will start to gain elevation at around 3.5 km. At this point the trail network can get complicated, in case the signs have not been repaired we recommend you bring a copy of our map to follow our route.
When a old road crosses our path take a right onto it. We will follow this for just under a kilometre moving east. Near the rocky knoll a number of trails will converge, we want to take a left to gain elevation and head north. From here the rail network gets easier to follow signed as Volcano Ridge Trail. Another 5.0 km will bring us to our destination.
On the return trip you can retrace your steps, or instead when you reach the rocky knoll take the path to the left taking you east before connecting with the Gorge Link Trail back to the trail head.
Insider Hints for Volcano Ridge
- You can shorten the walk by doing an out and back using the western part of our loop.
- At times the creek level may be high, it may be worth packing extra socks for the trip home.
Getting to the Volcano Ridge Trailhead
We start our loop from the Gorge Creek Day Use Area. Take highway 546 from Turner Valley. We will be taking a right onto the Gorge Creek Access road which is not very well signed until you are on it. The access road jets off to the right from the main road and then follows the main road in parallel for the first 0.5 km before the main road goes down a steep hill.
Route Information
When to do:
April - October
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Toilets:
No
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Poor
Crowd Levels:
Low
Route Type:
Circuit
Volcano Ridge Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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