Lusk Ridge (Hunchback Hills)

May 4, 2018, fisher range, kananaskis country

Summit
2066 m
Gain
1050 m
Distance
22.5 km
Round trip
8.5 hr
Technical
OT3 YDS (Hiking)
Activity
hike
Quick 'n dirty
Class 1 - you fall, you're stupid
Difficulty
No difficulties other than some routefinding and choosing the right conditions (early or late season).
Route
GPS trackMap

There isn’t a ton to say about this hike to be honest with you. Phil and I were planning a much “sexier” peak for Friday, May the 4th, but due to lingering snow and uncertainty about the winds that were forecast, we changed our minds a few times and finally settled on an “easy” backup of Lusk Ridge / Hunchback Hills for the day. I’ll let my photos do most of the talking on this trip report other than to say it was an enjoyable hike on a beautiful day, but not something that’s likely done very often for good reason.

Lusk Ridge Route Map

Most folks do only the Hunchback Hill hike that’s listed in Daffern’s book and detailed on Bob Spirko’s site but we decided to do the entire Lusk Ridge loop, including many sub peaks along the way. Making our day slightly silly was the fact that the Powderface Trail road was still closed, necessitating a long walk back along the road at the end of the day, padding our stats to over 22km of distance! Base training for later season I suppose.

Forest floor detritus is always interesting.
Forest floor detritus is always interesting.
A view over Sibbald Creek Trail towards Deer Ridge and Eagle Hill.
A view over Sibbald Creek Trail towards Deer Ridge and Eagle Hill.
Phil takes in the forest scenery looking over the Powderface Trail towards Cox Hill.
Phil takes in the forest scenery looking over the Powderface Trail towards Cox Hill.
Looking towards Lusk Ridge main summit.
Looking towards Lusk Ridge main summit.
Enjoying a nice viewpoint along the ridge.
Enjoying a nice viewpoint along the ridge.
A surprising number of Kananaskis and front range peaks visible from here including (L to R), Baldy West, Sparrowhawk, Wind, Mary Barclays, Lougheed III, Lougheed II, Lougheed I, Baldy, Skogan, Jewell Peak, Grant MacEwan, McGillivray, Grotto, Yates, Gap and Fable among others of course.
A surprising number of Kananaskis and front range peaks visible from here including (L to R), Baldy West, Sparrowhawk, Wind, Mary Barclays, Lougheed III, Lougheed II, Lougheed I, Baldy, Skogan, Jewell Peak, Grant MacEwan, McGillivray, Grotto, Yates, Gap and Fable among others of course.
My favorite part of the entire day was this open ridge traverse towards South Lusk in warm sunshine with great views.
My favorite part of the entire day was this open ridge traverse towards South Lusk in warm sunshine with great views.
My favorite part of the entire day was this open ridge traverse towards South Lusk in warm sunshine with great views.
My favorite part of the entire day was this open ridge traverse towards South Lusk in warm sunshine with great views.
Moody skies over Barrier Lake.
Moody skies over Barrier Lake.
A long walk out along the Powderface Trail which has been closed all winter and doesn't open for a few weeks yet.
A long walk out along the Powderface Trail which has been closed all winter and doesn't open for a few weeks yet.
At least it was a glorious afternoon. But the road did get boring about about 5km.
At least it was a glorious afternoon. But the road did get boring about about 5km.

Overall I would never repeat Lusk Ridge and I would likely not even recommend it unless you’re a geochacher. Sure! It has some decent and unique views of the front ranges, but it’s manky and not very pleasant for a lot of the route. Of course, if you did it without snow and parked a vehicle at each end you wouldn’t suffer from postholing hell and road walking purgatory either.