Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge

In spite of their close proximity to many places we frequent, we’ve seldom explored the Porcupine Hills in Southern Alberta. They’re always within sight when driving major highways in the area yet to us remain mostly a mystery. There’s scattered history in those hills, that we know, and many hiking possibilities. This day it was the latter which drew us in and our trail pick was Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge.

It’s in the west reaches of the hills, affording some delightful views of the Rockies and of the valley below. It’s home to cattle, cowboys and busy Highway 22X. We drive that road often and know in the fall the area is often spectacular with colour. We saved this hike for just that time of year.

This ridge walk is a little different than most in that you start up high and stay that way the entire time. Still, it has a roller coaster profile, so it’s a bit of workout. This area is in the Porcupine Hills Public Land Use Zone (aka PLUZ) and open to random camping (with permit) and ATV use. The trail is sometimes shared with a motorized vehicle track, but mostly not. Equestrian riders can also be expected.

Still, it’s not a terribly well used trail based on our research and we saw only two other groups of users. Early on too. There’s two versions of differing length. The first is to the balancing rock, the shorter option and by appearances where most people turn around.

The second is quite a bit longer and continues on to a high point further along the ridge and is the route explained here. There’s many meadows along the crest so no matter which you choose, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular scenery to look out over.

For the most part the Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge trail parallels a fence atop the ridge-spine, so keep it close by and you can’t go wrong. We kept to the left side which seemed to work well. There’s a number of off-shoot trials and cow paths along the way (cattle free range here at times) so the fence is useful in keeping on track. In some places, about mid-point, the path is sometimes faint, but the way obvious.

You’ll note we’ve been using two names for the trail and since both seem in common usage, somewhat equally, we thought it best to include both.

It all begins along East Trout Creek Road off Highway #520 and both are gravel affairs. After gaining elevation, East Trout Creek Road bends right, at a meadow with a west facing view and this is your parking spot.

Note the cross close by. There’s no plaque that we could find but there was a plastic cup taped to it on our visit. I’m sure it has a meaning of some sort, but perhaps only to the person who left it (or the deceased person it honours).

Follow the obvious ATV track south and after rising up coming to a t-intersection at a drift fence. Go left – ATV track goes right. From here on, there’s a few gated fence crossings and be sure to close any you use back up again.

The trail rises and falls, sometimes in the trees, and other times in open meadow. There’s plenty of views and other times nothing but forest.

In more open areas expect strong winds – they’re famous here. As a result trees that grow along the west-edge (windward side) are weather ravaged, often lopsided and with a lean. Many just don’t make it due to the trying conditions and standing snags are frequently seen.

At the next fence, turn left and make a short side trip to the balancing rock (it’s nice), then backtrack, pass through the barbed-wire at a gate and continue on north. There’s a lot of diverging trails along this section and later on it becomes pretty faint, but remember the advice to keep near the fence. Sometimes the wire is anchored to trees which has grows around them and suggests it’s been here a long time.

More ups and downs along the Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge trail. Each loss or gain is nothing much really but there’s plenty of them and don’t forget you have to come back the same way. So they’ll be double.

More forest, more meadows, more views, more colour and we’re in in a happy place. Occasionally you’ll be atop cliff bands and other times, the ridge slopes gently away to the west.

ATV tracks announce you’re close to the destination. Motorized vehicles get this far via a different trail (that comes in at the high point – marked by a cattle gate) and are blocked from going too far along this single track due to thick forest.

There’s one steep push, up a loose ATV track, then shortly after come to the destination atop a series of sandstone cliffs. Look north to the Chain Lakes off in the distance, the ranch lands below, and the 22X (the Cowboy Trail) snaking though the valley.

Note all the Bearberries underfoot, a tiny bush with bright red fruit that thrives in harsh conditions (like up here). While the berries are edible we’ve tried them and didn’t care for the mealy texture and the subtle earthy taste. We’re told they’re more palatable when cooked down but we’re not fully sold.

We find a suitable tree to hunker down behind (more wind) and enjoy a tasty charcuterie-style lunch. We always make the meal stop awesome so it too becomes memorable part of the hike. Afterwards, we explore further.

The ridge drops down to the north which we followed for a bit. It looks like one could continue on to another hill further in that direction, after a bit of elevation loss, without too much difficulty. Its west face is marked by an obvious cliff band.

For the first time there’s a real view to the east and it’s of more low rolling hills. Looking west is the good stuff, though. The Livingstone Range can be seen off in the south and is associated with the Crowsnest Pass region (a favourite destination for us).

There’s gas installations below, a pipeline right-of-way, the odd ranch but otherwise it’s mostly wilderness and rolling grassland. The wind keeps on blowing…

The rock formations are interesting up here and one at the high-point makes a great platform for photo ops.

Retrace your steps back to the start. But take it slow and marvel in the wonderful scenery along the way. Hold on to your hat at any meadows – the winds have picked up. We’ve seen where people have done this trail in colder months and can’t image how miserable it’d be up here at the time if they were blowing. Even on a warm fall day, it was fierce and biting.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge and it’s made us think more of the area and what possibilities await. Had a blast and hope you do too!

Know more (new window): Adair Ridge Porcupine Hills Ridge.

They’re saying…

”Relevant, authentic, real!” David W Brandenburg.

More like this…
The Bee Line Cranbrook BC.
Saskatoon Mountain.
Strawberry Hills.

If you need more information about this trail or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: September, 2023.
Location: Porcupine Hills, Alberta.
Distance: Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge – 9.5km round trip total.
Height gain maximum: 100m-ish.
Height gain cumulative: ~400m.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).

A cross at the trailhead along East Trout Creek Road.

The fun begins on the Adair Ridge – Porupine Hills Ridge trail.

Dropping down a bit – the ridge has a roller coaster profile.

Trees are wind ravaged and lean as a result.

The trail keeps close to a drift fence at the ridge top.

Along here the path is well defined.

Many folks seem to turn around here at the balancing rock.

A heavily forested section – drift fence to the right.

The bone tree.

The trail is less distinct along here.

There’s many open meadows along the way.

The steepest push on an ATV track.

Leveling out atop a cliff band.

Almost there…

Lunch is always as enjoyable as the hike.

Exploring beyond the high point.

Highway 22X far below.

Fall in the Porcupine Hills is spectacular.

A blanket of Bearberries.

An opening in the trees affords this rare view east.

Note the hole in this rock formation.

Chris at the viewpoint.

And now Connie’s turn.

Looking north towards the Chain Lakes (distant, right frame).

Trees have a hard time up here and many don’t make it.

This hike timed well for the stunning fall colours.

Pleasant going.

Looking SW – Livingstone Range in the very back.

One final photo and it’s done.

Adair Ridge – Porcupine Hills Ridge: pleasant and scenic.