HUMMINGBIRD PLUME LOOKOUT (hike, relaxed pace)

This pleasant hike is mainly on forested trails, which are cross-country ski trails in the winter. Because the trails are wide and forested, it makes for easy, relaxed hiking. The trip starts at the Troll Falls trailhead and follows various loops up to Hummingbird Plume Hill. The fire lookout is no longer in use, and the forest has grown up around it, so there are no views from the lookout. However, if you follow a short trail east of the lookout, it opens up to a beautiful view of the Kananaskis Valley.
Distance: 10.5 return
Elevation gain: 395 m
Trail: mainly through forest; out and back
Difficulty: Trail 2; Intermediate hikers
Pace: Slow to moderate; not fast. Please don't sign up if you are a speedy hiker, or if you don’t want to stay with the group.
Time: About five hours on the trail. (This doesn’t include driving time to the event and back).
Trailhead: TROLL FALLS PARKING LOT. From Calgary, drive on the TransCanada to the Highway 40 turn-off (Kananaskis). Drive on highway 40 to the Nakiska/Kananaskis Village turn-off. Turn right and drive over the bridge. On the right side of the road (before Nakiska), there is a road going down to the Troll Falls parking lot. I’ll meet you at the trailhead, which is beside the washroom.
Meeting time: 10:00 am at Troll Falls parking lot. Look for a Black Dodge Grand Caravan; short older lady. I’m scheduling this so the hike will end around 4 pm, which will give you time to attend the Slow and Steady anniversary event at Opal picnic area.
Passes: You will need a Kananaskis pass for this trip.
Number of hikers: Maximum of eight hikers; It’s easier to keep track of eight people than a large group, so the size is limited to eight. There is a waitlist created for this trip; please answer a few short questions if we haven’t hiked together before. We need at least four people on the hike because of bears. Please note; I’ll be bringing my dog along, on a leash. If you don’t like dogs, please choose another hike.
WEATHER: THIS TRIP IS WEATHER-DEPENDENT. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE THE NIGHT BEFORE TO MAKE SURE THE HIKE HASN’T BEEN CANCELLED.
References:
trailpeak.com/trails/hummingbird-plume-lookout-near-kananaskis-ab-3274
or Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, third edition, page 112
or Kananaskis Country Trail Guide, fourth edition, page 69
Carpooling: You can use the comments section to arrange carpooling. As I live in Cochrane, I won’t be arranging carpooling from Calgary.
Cost for carpooling: Zone 2; $15 per passenger plus extra towards the conservation pass if you don’t have one.
Suggested gear: hiking boots, pack, layers of clothing including wind and rain resistant layers; lunch, water, personal first aid kit; hiking poles if you use them; bear spray.
Mandatory gear: bear spray. Make sure it hasn’t expired.
Waiver and Code of Conduct
I will bring a waiver to the trailhead which you must sign before going on the trip. Please provide the name and phone number of your emergency contact.
Your participation in this event means you have read the waiver and by signing up for this event you have accepted the waiver. You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides, and you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear, and you are physically fit to do this hike with the group. You are responsible for your own safety and well-being.
All participants are responsible for assessing current road, weather, trail and avalanche conditions for the trip.