Big Whirlpool and Whirlpool Ridge Hike David Thompson Country

Big Whirlpool trailhead is located next to the David Thompson Highway (#11) 218km west of Rocky Mountain House. A 4.5 hour drive from Edmonton, 3.5 hours from Calgary. If you're traveling from Calgary the route through the National Parks is shorter then heading through Rocky Mountain House. Park at the roadside pullout on the west Side of the Big Whirlpool. From here the Big Whirlpool is a short walk down to the North Saskatchewan River. I recommend hiking up Whirlpool Ridge first then down to the Big Whirlpool after. Total elevation gain to the Ridge is 980m with spectacular views of the Big Whirlpool and the North Saskatchewan River valley. This hike is considered easy to moderate. Allow 3 hours to hike the ridge and the Big Whirlpool. To gain the ridge cross the highway and work your way up the rocky spine until you reach the crest of a saddle. There are several trail braids along the way that have been created by a large population of Mountain Sheep. You'll also find lots of Limber Pines here. Limber Pines are very unusual coniferous trees with branches that you can bend and twist like a rope, this is how they survive the gale force winds that frequently blow across this ridge. Some of the the oldest trees in Alberta were recorded here. Several may be as old as 1000 years. On your way back continue pass your parked car down towards the Big Whirlpool on the North Saskatchewan River. The Whirlpool is huge and runs deep. It will not fit in a wide angle lens while standing near the shore. If you're planning to float it make sure you stop upstream first to have a good look at things before entering the Whirlpool. Depending on the time of year and the rivers flow rate it can change from a slow flat rotation of water to a fast enormous slightly inclined funnel. Studies have shown that fish can be found on both sides of the Whirlpool but not in the Whirlpool itself. That alone is a good indicator of the turbulence under what looks like a gentle rotating surface. I would love to float this stretch of the North Saskatchewan River but I'm not sure if two paddlers are strong enough to escape the wide slow rotation of the whirlpool. It would be very embarrassing floating around and around while waiting for a rescue. The Government of Canada has placed a water management research station and cable trolley near the Whirlpool. There are several hiking trails located in this area. To mention a few, Alexander Henry's Trail, Siffleur Falls Hike, Crescent Falls Hike, Hoodoo Creek Hike, Kinglet Lake Hike, Loudon Creek Hike, Two O'clock Ridge Hike, Tuff Puff, Vision Quest Hike, Windy Point Ridge, Allstones Creek Hike, Allstones Lake Hike, Ice Falls Two O'clock Creek, Coral Ridge Hike, Owen Creek, Cline and Coral Canyons are all located near here. You are in bear country.