Highwood Pass from Pocaterra - 40 km Int, Lyle O

ROAD RIDE - LEVEL: Easy to intermediate pace on an advanced route

Coordinator: Lyle Opseth

Distance: 40 km

Pace:  Your own pace

Elevation Gain: 712 m

E-bikes allowed: Y

<Cranky>: I want to go to Highwood Pass but all the rides are just too long and hard for my legs. You've done it in the past from Pocaterra. Why are you not doing it this year?

<Coordinator>: You are in luck. I'll be doing a ride from Pocaterra Saturday (weather permitting). I am supporting the gate to gate to gate ride from the south so I will be parking at Pocaterra near the north gate so the G2G2G group can get water and any other support that might be needed.

Description: Ascend the highest paved road in Canada while the winter gate is still closed -- enjoy the scenery with no cars on the road. This is a challenging route with lots of climbing, but we will take it at an easy to intermediate pace and no one will be left behind.

Please come prepared with clothing for changeable mountain weather conditions. We will be gaining significant elevation -- even on a nice day, it will be colder higher up and the long descent back can be very chilly. As the entire route is closed to cars, make sure you are self-sufficient with all the food, water, and emergency supplies required. 

Parking: Start from Pocaterra parking area, shown on map. 

Park Pass: Reminder! You must have a Kananaskis park pass to visit the park. See: https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx

Safety:

• Bears. Consider bringing bear spray.
• Steep grades. Up and down. Be prepared. You will need good brakes. The north side is steeper in places than the south side although the total climbing is 300 meters less and the distance is 35 km less.
• Closed road. While it means no cars, it also means you need to be self-supported.
• Pocaterra hut closed. It's only open during the nordic ski season. The information centre is open however. There are chamber toilets available at the Pocaterra parking lot.
• High elevation. Rain/snow/sleet is common even if no precipitation is in the forecast for Kananaskis. Temperatures can drop drastically at high elevation, especially with inclement weather. Bring suitable clothing should the weather turn inclement.
• E-bikes. Be sure your battery will last. We saw e-cyclists Wednesday with dead and near-dead batteries. There are climbs on the return too.