Blackerby Ridge Trail

Smokin' Crackerby on Blackerby

Saturday February 22, 2009

Blackerby Ridge Trail

"What am I smokin'?" I asked myself as I started up this steep trail in the middle of winter on a late Saturday afternoon. From the view out of the Capital Transit bus window, it seemed impossible a trail could penetrate the sheer cliffs and near-vertical hills of the ridge coated in dense green Sitka Spruce.

I pulled the cord and the bus stopped right at Wire Street off of Glacier Highway. It was convenient as the trail head is only a short walk up Wire Street and a left at Greenwood Avenue. From there it is only a little way down on the right marked by a small sign.

I walked a couple feet on the trail and I knew I would need my gaiters. The snow was deep in places with only one other person's tracks to follow. The weather was good though. Only high overcast and nice and cold. I knew I had to hike fast so as not to get caught descending the steep slippery mountain in darkness (I left my head lamp at home along with the camera).

The trail steeply wound through the dense forest, straight up at times. I had to pull myself up often with the foliage but had to be careful not to crab on to the devils club! There was even a section of the trail that was near vertical and had a rope tied to a tree above for hikers to hoist themselves up.

The tracks I was following soon ended and I was breaking trail for a good mile. The snow was only 3-4 inches thick under the dense tree canopy but I still found myself post-holing in places. At 5pm I decided to stop and enjoy the view through a clearing in the trees along a frozen stream bed that meandered down the mountain.

I ate a Cliff bar, drank some water and then started sliding back down the mountain. And slide I did. I must have looked like a pinball bouncing off the trees. I admit it was much faster and easier but a lot more dangerous. I almost slid off the cliff next to the fixed rope but luckily grabbed a small tree in time.

I made it down to the bottom at about 5:45pm, just as it was getting dark.

I'll save this hike for the summer and when I have more time!