Nihahi Ridge Saddle, relaxed pace

Nihahi Ridge offers a beautiful view west towards peaks such as Glasgow, Cornwall and Banded to the south and Romulus and Remus to the north. The trail starts from the Little Elbow Camping area and follows an old road before reaching the start of the trailhead proper. It then winds up through forested hills, crosses an open meadow, and then begins up the ridge. The trail changes from forest to scree and continues on scree to the base of the first summit. We will follow the saddle to the end of the ridge and will stop there as snowy conditions could make further travel difficult. This trip is suitable for intermediate hikers who are comfortable walking on snow-covered rocky terrain.
Distance: about 10 km return
Elevation gain: about 500m
Trail: out and back; trail 3
Pace: Slow to moderate; not fast. Please don't sign up if you are a speedy hiker or if you want to rush far ahead of the group. Thank you.
Time: The hike will take about five to six hours travelling at a slow and steady pace.
Passes: You will need a Kananaskis Conservation pass
Meeting place: We will meet at the parking lot for the Little Elbow Camping area. Look for a black Dodge Grand Caravan parked near the west end of the lot. Directions: from Calgary, drive West towards Bragg Creek. Then follow Hwy 66 (past Elbow Falls) to the end of the road. Turn left towards the Little Elbow Recreation Area (past Forgetmenot Pond) and park in the large parking lot near the Little Elbow River.
Meeting time: Meet at 9:30 am at the parking lot
Number of hikers: Maximum 8; a waitlist is in effect for this trip to make sure this hike is appropriate for you.
References:
Nihahi Ridge Hike in Kananaskis: Trail Guide, Parking & Scramble Tips | Hike Bike Travel
AllTrails Nihahi Ridge South. (Note: We won’t be going as far as the south summit)
Carpooling: I won’t be arranging carpooling since I don’t live in Calgary but you can use the comments section to arrange carpooling.
Cost for carpooling: $15
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.
Must bring gear: traction devices (icers); bear spray; wind resistant layers. It is often windy (and cold) only the ridge
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.