Two O-Clock Ridge

Route Description for Two O-Clock Ridge

As for the length of the Two O-Clock Ridge trail, the elevation gain is quite big, so prepare to sweat a little while ascending. The incline is quite constant with only short stretches to rest. Make sure to pick a day without the rain for this hike as some scrambly bits might get slippery when wet and some parts of the trail might feel slick. The majority of the trail is in the aspen forest, but there will be plenty of beautiful lookouts towards the Saskatchewan River Valley along the route.

After parking your vehicle at Two O-Clock Creek Campsite, find the trailhead at the northwest side of the campsite, just right behind the outhouse. The trail to the ridge is not marked, but quite easy to follow, as it’s the widest and most obvious path.

Soon you will reach a junction, where you will have to take the path on the right, towards the ridge as the trail ascends.

Follow the well-trodden path all the way to the ridge. Walking the trail, you will see several small paths separating from the main trail. Always stick to the main one! It’s quite easy to follow.

After around two hours of scrambling, you will reach open grassy slopes. Continue straight towards the ridge for another hour or so until you reach the top. The views here are amazing!

Look out for marmots, ptarmigans and, sometimes, bears. Looking around, you will see Two O-Clock Peak, Tuff Puff Ridge, Mt Ernest Ross, Saskatchewan River Valley, Mount Michener, Kista Peak, Elliot and Bridge Peaks and many others, as the views of the surrounding Rockies are expansive and on sunny days you can see very far!

Retrace your steps back the same way you came.

Insider Hints for Two O-Clock Ridge

• If you are an experienced scrambler, you can go even further, all the way to the Two O-Clock Peak. The trail gets harder as you approach the peak, so you must come adequately prepared.
• Have lots of water with you! There are no other water sources along the Two O-Clock trail apart from the Two O-Clock Creek right at the beginning of the scramble.
• There are numerous beautiful campsites along the Lake Abraham. Spend a night in one of them.
• If you love wildflowers, July is the best time to scramble the Two O-Clock Ridge!