Gillean Daffern - Popular Day Hikes: Kananaskis Country--Revised & Updated

Copyright 2019 by Gillean Daffern

First Revised and Updated Edition

Originally published in 2007 as Popular Day Hikes 1: Kananaskis Country

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Cataloguing data available from Library and Archives Canada

ISBN 9781771602655 (paperback)

ISBN 9781771602662 (electronic)

We would like to also take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories upon which we live and work. In Calgary, Alberta, we acknowledge the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikuni, the Kainai, the Tsuutina and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearpaw, and Wesley First Nations. The City of Calgary is also home to Mtis Nation of Alberta, Region III. In Victoria, British Columbia, we acknowledge the traditional territories of the Lkwungen (Esquimalt, and Songhees), Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scianew, TSou-ke and SNE (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples.

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Disclaimer

There are inherent risks in hiking mountain areas that require hikers to constantly use their own judgement. Anyone using this book does so entirely at their own risk and both the author and publisher disclaim any liability for any injuries or other damage that may be sustained by anyone hiking any of the trails described in this book.

Be aware that bear sightings and fire hazard can close trails at a moments notice. Flash floods can wash out bridges. Fallen trees resulting from strong chinook winds can block trails and make the going difficult.

In this book there are no dos and donts. It is assumed that users are caring, intelligent people who will respect the country they are travelling through and its wildlife.

Contents

Hwy. 1 Canmore, Bow Valley

Hwy. 40 Kananaskis Valley

Hwy. 40 Peter Lougheed Prov. Park

Hwy. 742 The Smith-Dorrien

Hwys. 40, 541 The Highwood

Hwys. 546, 549 The Sheep

Hwy. 66 The Elbow

Twp. Rd. 232 West Bragg

Hwy. 68, Powderface Road

Area Map

Introduction

About Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis Country (commonly called K Country) is located on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, west and south of the Olympic city of Calgary, Alberta.

In the west near the Great Divide the scenery is much the same as in the adjoining Banff National Park: high limestone peaks (up to 3449 m), glaciers, waterfalls, blue-green lakes, boisterous streams, forested valley bottoms of spruce and fir with larches at treeline. Winter snowfall can be heavy, so some trails, such as Burstall Pass trail, may not be clear of snow until mid-July.

To the east the friendly foothills are a mosaic of sandstone bluffs, pine/aspen forests and meadows. They dry quickly of snow, making hiking possible from March to November and sometimes right through the winter.

In between are the Front Ranges, a complex jumble of arid valleys, rocky peaks and interconnecting ridges built of both limestones and sandstones. Its here youll find easy peaks to climb and ridges to wander over, the Centennial trail up Mt. Allan being a prime example.

Alpine meadows are sandwiched between forest and rock and coat many good hiking ridges. For all too brief a time from late June to mid-August, they are crammed with flowers. In particular, overseas visitors will be intoxicated by the gaudy colours of North Americas Indian paintbrush. I advise all flower buffs to buy a field guide to put in their pack.

Getting there

See the map on . Apart from various bus and taxi services from Calgary to Can-more and Banff, there is no public transportation. You need to rent a car. Consider also a mountain bike for some trails. Know that all the trails in this book are accessible from Calgary as day trips.

Seasonal road closures

Hwy. 40 is closed December 1 to June 14 between Kananaskis Lakes Trail (road) and Highwood Junction.

Hwy. 66 is closed December 1 to May 14 west of Elbow Falls parking lot. Also closed December 1 to May 14 are Hwy. 546 west of Sandy McNabb Recreation Area, Powder-face Trail between Dawson trailhead and Hwy. 66 and all of Gorge Creek Trail.

Facilities

Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore, Bragg Creek, Turner Valley, Black Diamond and Long-view have all the amenities.

Hwy. 1A Exshaw: Heart Mountain Store (cafe, groceries, gas).

Hwy. 1X Bow Valley Provincial Park: small store at Bow Valley campground. Off-season closure.

Hwy. 1 Dead Mans Flat: motel, B&B, gas station/small grocery store, a few eateries.

Hwy. 40 Kananaskis Village and Ribbon Creek: two hotels, one hostel, small grocery store with snacks, outdoor rental store, numerous eateries and watering holes, nordic spa. Fortress Junction: Gas, good grocery selection and snack bar.

The following are closed off-season. Highwood Junction: gas, some groceries and snacks. Sundance Lodges: teepee camping, small store. Boundary Ranch: trail rides, restaurant. Kananaskis Country Golf Course: restaurant.

Kananaskis Lakes Trail Boulton Creek restaurant/grocery store. Boulton Creek Rentals for bikes, canoes and kayaks. Off-season closure.

Hwy. 742 Mount Engadine Lodge: accommodation (all meals), evening meals on 24 hours notice.

Hwy. 66 On nearby McLean Creek Trail (road), McLean Creek Camper Centre: groceries and snacks.

Weather

Snow can fall in any month of the year in the Canadian Rockies. Having said that, hiking usually starts in April in eastern K Country. In May there is usually a period of warm, sunny weather. Rains fall mainly in Junethe peak runoff time. During July and August temperatures can reach the mid-30s and any rain is often associated with late afternoon thunderstorms. Smoke haze from far-off forest fires may bother some people. The weather starts cooling off in mid-September. Indian summers can occur in late September through October and are glorious, bringing sunny, stable weather. By late October and November temperatures are dipping to the minus 20s and snow that falls stays over the winter. But all is not lost. During this period chinook winds can roar in and raise the temperature by 20 degrees in an hour. This occurs mainly in eastern K Country, where is it sometimes possible to hike all the year round.