A strenuous hike from valley floor to alpine ridges in the Park Ranges of the Rockies, following an old cat trail maintained sporadically for hiking by BC Forest Service Recreation Department. A strong hiker may approach or return from the Baker Creek Natural Arch by this route (please see Natural Arch Trail description for safety warnings regarding the Arch area). For experienced route-finders, the headwaters of Nevin Creek has some possibilities for multi-day backpacking trips to a sizeable lake and icefields, starting from this same trailhead. The trail is actually an old bulldozed fireguard, which turns into a hand-built trail a little before the alpine. The bulldozer-trail section is becoming quite brushy but sees sufficient use by quads to keep the brush down somewhat. Some sections of the trail are very steep, though it is only about 2 hours to the top for a reasonably fit hiker. Be aware if hiking in this area that the author knows of at least two encounters between hikers and grizzly bears that have taken place on this trail. Although the chances of encountering a grizzly are not particularly great on any given trip, the bears have been seen from mountaintop to valley floor in the area.

From Valemount follow highway 5 north to Tete Jaune Junction, then take highway 16 west to the Baker Creek Rest Area. Distance from Valemount: 59.7 Km. The Baker Forest Road, paved for the first hundred yards, leaves the highway nearly opposite the rest area. Follow this road a short distance to the trail sign for the Baker Arch Trail which descends from the Baker Forest Road. Instead of descending the Arch trail, stay on the forest road. After making a broad right-hand turn onto the mountainside, cross ditches will be encountered. The road is only suitable for high clearance vehicles beyond this point. Depending on your vehicle type you may wish to find a parking spot and begin your hike here, or drive another 3 km and gain some altitude before starting out on foot. Keep to the uppermost road at all intersections. After three switchbacks, the end of the road is reached. There are good parking areas at or near the end of the road in one of three "landings" (log loading yards) that are currently not used for log loading. From road's end, walk along a skid trail through cedar trees still standing after other species were logged, heading in the same general direction the road was (roughly towards McBride). This skid trail at first descends very slighly, then traverses on the level and finally climbs a very slight amount. As the edge of the logging is reached, look for flagging tape marking a trail into the woods. This very short connector trail joins the old Baker Ridge Trail only 15 metres past the edge of the logged area. Turn right and proceed up the mountain.

Allow 4 to 5 hours round trip to the top of Baker Ridge.