Skogan Pass Lookout

At the Ribbon Creek Parking Area the trail proceeds behind the washroom on a slight downhill towards the cook shack. Near the cook shack is a trail map. Close to the trailhead is the sign for Hidden Creek Trail. Do not proceed uphill on Hidden Creek trail. The climb is gradual for the first kilometer and then the trail climbs 600 meters in 10 kilometers. The first and second trail intersections are with the Troll Falls Trail. Continue straight; do not turn to the right. The only tricky spot that is not well marked is within a couple hundred meters past the second intersection with the Troll Falls trail. At this point the Skogan Pass Trail intersects with one of the runs for the Nakiska Downhill Ski Area. All you will see are a couple of caution signs warning that there are cross country skiers on the trail. At this intersection turn right and within 100 meters there is a trail sign indicating that the Skogan Pass trail is straight ahead. If you turn right left you will descending downhill to the ski area.

The next major intersections are the intersection of the Skogan Pass Trail with the Marmot Basin Trail, the Sunburst and the High Level trails. By time you reach the intersection with the High Level trail you will be wondering if the steep climb will ever stop. The first time I cross-country skied this trail I was wishing I had used snowshoes on the way up because the wax was not working and I was tired of the herring bone. After the High Level intersection the incline levels off a fair bit. Continuing up the Skogan Pass Trail you will see the intersections for the Skogan Pass Loop. Continue straight 2.4 kilometers to get to the lookout. Approximately 200 meters before the lookout there is an intersection and a sign that has the #94 on it. The lookout is to the left, straight ahead and you will continue on the Skogan Pass Trail until it meets with the Centennial Pass Trail after traveling an additional 9 kilometers.

From flickr a photo from OldDogNewTrick shows the view from the Lookout.

From the lookout you can see all the way into the area of Dead Man’s Flats and the Trans-Canada Highway but the hydro lines spoil the view. My suggestion is that you stay on the Skogan Pass Trail until you reach the second intersection with the Skogan Loop and then go around the loop before returning. The Loop offers great views of Mounts Columbolla, Allan and Nakiska. On the return home, take the Troll Falls Trail and check out Troll Falls. It only adds a kilometer or so to the trip. The GPS track and Elevation Profile is for the Skogan Pass trail to the 11 kilometer mark and then I returned on the Skogan Pass Loop and then via the Troll Falls Trail.