Mockingbird Hill Lookout

Elevation: 1907 m
Elevation Gain: 350 m
Mockingbird Hill is the unofficial name of the foothill upon which the Mockingbird Fire Lookout sits. Mockingbird Lookout remains active and was originally constructed in 1952 to replace the lookout atop nearby Black Rock Mountain. The Black Rock Lookout had been the second highest on the eastern slopes of the Rockies but its lofty and remote location meant that it was frequently battered by wind, in the clouds and difficult to re-stock. It is believed that Mockingbird Hill received its name when surveyors on the hunt for new lookout locations scouted it while listening to “Mockin’ Bird Hill” on a transistor radio.
My Ascents:
June 21 2020
Trailhead: Waiparous Valley Road Pullout

Father’s Day is best celebrated with those that you love. Most importantly, however, Father’s Day is best celebrated with those that you love at elevation! For Father’s Day 2020, Brianne asked me what I wanted and I replied (as I always do): a summit with my girls and my Dad Gord!

After a bit of a Father’s Day misfire in 2019, I was eager to get back into my family’s good graces. In that regard, I figured that Mockingbird Hill would be a good choice given its relative proximity (a 1-hour-40-minute drive from Calgary) and reasonable stats (6-km-return and 350-vertical-m). Despite its family-friendly size, I had it on good authority that Mockingbird packed a scenic punch and, better still, knew that I’d get to pick an appropriately themed soundtrack for the drive out to it.

After following Highway 40 north of Waiparous Village for 23-km (dusty dirt road alert!), we turned west onto Waiparous Valley Road and followed it for 3.8-km to the unmarked trailhead (passing Camp Mockingbird on the way). Having seen photos of the trailhead, I easily recognized it but, for those armed only with guidebook directions, please note that the "Dangerous road closed to all vehicles" sign mentioned in the guidebook no longer exists.

Great views of the Devil’s Head from the roadside pullout that serves as Mockingbird’s trailhead. If you set off to hike up Mockinbird Hill, be sure to enjoy these views (because you won’t get many more until the top)!

Brianne, Grandpa and Crux start up the fire lookout road.

LEFT: Penny isn’t even 3-years old yet and she’s already a pretty solid little hiker.
RIGHT: One of the locals keeps a watchful eye as we hike past. I’m not sure if the “No OHVs” sign was tattered as a result of him eating it or as a result of rednecks shooting at it (but there was ample evidence which had me leaning towards the latter possibility). Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

Mera provides a demonstration on how to overcome the hike’s first obstacle: a gate a short distance from the trailhead. Fortunately, OHVs are unable to overcome this obstacle so you can hike in relative peace beyond this point (save for the constant gunshots that echo through this valley on warm summer afternoons).

Grandma and Grandpa hike directly up the fire road while our 4-year old opts for a more tortuous path.

LEFT: While the forested fire road provided little in the way of views, there were, at least, occasional wildflowers like this calypso orchid to keep things interesting.
RIGHT: Mera was particularly enamored with the orchids (despite being asked not to pick them). Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

On the way up, the gentle road doesn’t feel steep but, as the hill ahead attests, there is definitely elevation gain on this hike!

Skipping sisters! 🥰

Colorful paintbrushes make for a pleasant distraction along the way. Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

After hiking for almost 2-km, someone spotted the hiking backpack and realized that she didn’t have to walk…Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

Hiking hounds!

LEFT: Obliging one of Grandpa’s many requests for a photo. Surprisingly, all of the animals, kids and adults cooperated and this one turned out! Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.
RIGHT: Mera and Grandma continue up amidst improving views. Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

The standard (and oddly specific) “No Shooting” sign can only mean one thing: that the end/lookout is near!

Another family photo op at Grandpa’s request. It may look like Penny is cooperating but she’s actually trying to hit Grandpa with her pole! If I’m being honest, we’ve all felt the same way while being asked to pose the hundredth time while hiking with him…🤣 Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs.

After 3-km in the woods, we reached an open, fire lookout-occupied, clearing which finally granted views of the impressive Front Ranges immediately to the west.

A black-and-white Mockingbird Hill panorama. The views to the west from Mockingbird were spectacular, however, the midday, solstice lighting was very poor. I’m not usually a fan of black-and-white but color photos simply didn’t work under these conditions. Click to see larger (and more monochromatically).

Grandma and Mera enjoy a prime view with lunch.

Summit selfie with my wife – thanks for getting me into this fatherhood thing!

Association Peak and End Mountain (center) highlight the view to the southwest. To their left, the Wedge and Skogan Peak rise up beyond Yamnuska. To their right, Mount Bogart and Wind Mountain can be seen beyond an unnamed peak.

Orient Point.

Saddle Peak.

Black Rock Mountain (center) was the original site of the fire lookout that now sits atop Mockingbird Hill. It's also a great hike for anyone willing to get their feet wet!

Mount Costigan.

The Devil’s Head.

Castle Rock (center left) and Astral Peak (center right).

Mount Davidson (left), Sheep Meadow Mountain (center) and Ghost Peak (right).

Barrier Mountain (left) highlights the view to the northwest toward Ya Ha Tinda.

The foothill- and prairie-filled panorama to the east can’t rival that to the west. Nevertheless, it undoubtedly makes for a great view to enjoy along with a campfire! Click to see larger.

LEFT: A very happy Father’s Day indeed – with my girls and my Dad Gord!
RIGHT: Another peak for the hiking Hobbs’.

Summit goofball. As the kids’ attention spans began to wane (and thunder began to rumble nearby), we decided that it was time to start down lest we repeat last weekend’s adventure…

♫ On the road again ♫

LEFT: Penny discovers an automatic camera and gives whoever is monitoring the full “Cheese!” treatment. 🤣
RIGHT: Brianne and Grandma wisely stick to the road on descent while Mera and Grandpa explore unnecessary off-trail options.

On a hot first day of summer, Crux (unfortunately) discovered the only water on the whole hike: an extremely muddy puddle that we passed about 2 minutes from the trailhead. 🤦‍♂️

Wet, dirty dog aside, our descent was uneventful so we decided to cap off our Father’s Day celebrations with a post-summit refreshment at Half Hitch Brewing in Cochrane.
Cheers and happy Father’s Day! 🍻