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Hiking/Mountain Climbing

 Hiking and Mountain climbing are two recreational activities that are available in quantity and quality through the Crowsnest Pass area.  The wide variety of trails can keep you exploring new terrain for years.  There are countless roads and trails through out the area, that provide the novice to very experienced hiker and climbers to the area.  Many of these trails and roads trace back to the Crowsnest Pass' history of mining, forestry and energy activities.

Beware of Wildlife!

  • The Crowsnest Pass is wildlife country!.  Even on an Easy Trail, you may encounter wildlife, including bears.  Do not approach or feed wildlife.  Be Bear Aware!.  If you are hiking in bear habitat, hike in groups and make lots of noise.  Wood ticks are common on grassy slopes in the first six weeks of spring.

Hazards!

  • Like any natural area, the Crowsnest Pass has many hazards the hikers need to deal with.  Be aware that the weather can change suddenly in the Crowsnest Pass.  A sunny day can quickly become cold and rainy.  In the fall hunters can be found in many areas of the Pass outside the Municipal boundaries.  If hiking in the fall, stay on well-marked trails and wear bright clothing.  Also inform others of your destination and approximate return time for safety of you and your group.  Be prepared- take water and provisions appropriate for your time out in the wilderness.

Private Property

  • Many of the trails through out the area are located partially or completely on privately owned land.  At any time the trails may become closed to the public.  Make sure you have permission before crossing into these areas.

Drinking Water

  • Although most waters in the Crowsnest Pass look pristine, they may be unfit to drink.  Do not depend on creeks, rivers or lakes for your water.  Provide your own source of hydration.

 Please remember - If you pack it in, you pack it out!

Guided Tour and Hiking and Mountain Climbing Adventures

Mountain Adventure Guiding - M.A.G.

  • Amanda Gail
  • 403-562-7273
  • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Treadsoftly Adventures

 

Yeti Adventures

 

Alberta Speleolgical Society

 

Trails and Trails Systems

 

The Allison/Chinook Lake Recreation Area

  • Over 30 km of non-motorized trail system
  • Is well signed and has trail maps at each intersection
  • Trails range from very easy to difficult and adjoin routes in British Columbia via Deadman's Pass.
  • To donate to the maintanence of these trail, donations are gratefully accepted at the trail head.
  • For more information visit our web site: www.allisonwonderlands.ca

 

Take a Hike in the Crowsnest Pass

  • For complete and indepth description of trails listed below click:
  •  Take_A_Hike.pdf

Easy Trails - Well maintained trail, hiking boots not needed

Leitch Collieries - 0.8 km Loop

  • Trailhead: Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site - Highway# 3
  • Self-guided interpretive trails lead visitors through the remains of Leitch Collieries
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Summer interpretive staff

Bellevue-Hillcrest Path - 2.2 km one way

  • Trailhead: 9th Avenue Hillcrest or 23rd Avenue in Bellevue
  • The paved path connects the communities of Bellevue and Hillcrest.
  •   A tunnel take hikers under the busy Highway #3

Frank Slide Trail - 1.5 km Loop

  • Trailhead:  Frank Slide Interpretive Centre parking lot. 
  • The pathway leads into the rocks of the Frank Slide and gives an up-close look at the awesome power of nature. 
  •  An Interpretive Guidebook is available at minimal cost.

Blairmore Riverside Path - 1.9 km one way

  • Trailhead: Blairmore's 20th avenue ( East Access Bridge and West Access Bridge)
  • The paved path follows the south bank of the Crowsnest River the length of Blairmore

Miner's Path - 1.0- km one way

  • Trailhead: Flummerfelt Park in Coleman
  • The path follows Nez Perce Creek for 1.0 km to Rainbow Falls.
  • It is along this path that miners would walk to work each day.

Star Creek Falls - 1.2 km to falls viewpoint

  • Trailhead: Take Willow Drive West from West Coleman for 1.7 km to the bridge over Star Creek.  100 meters past the bridge turn left and drive 700 meters (rough road) to the trailhead sign.
  • This route leads through a small canyon to 15 meter high Star Creek Falls.  Water levels in the spring and fall will determine your route along the path or up the canyon floor.

Chinook Lake Circuit - 2.3 km Loop

  • Trailhead:  This trail begins along the shoreline of Chinook (Allison) Lake
  • This pleasant loop encircles Chinook Lake, and the trail is seldom from the shores of this peaceful pond.

Moderate Trails - Significant changes in elevation and moderate distances, hiking boots recommended

Hastings Ridge - 3.5 km one way

  • Trailhead: Height of land on Adanac Road, 9.5 km from East Hillcrest Road
  • Follow the old road that leads west and slowly climb the ridge and emerge above the remains of an open pit mining operation. 
  •  Experience the expansive panoramic views

Lille - 6.3 km one way

  • Trail head: North of Frank Slide Centre access road.  Cross the cattle guard at the hairpin turn on the Frank Slide Centre access road.  Take the second road to your left and park in the meadow. 
  • Hike along a rough road for approximately 1.5 km, turn left onto the main Lille access road and follow the road up the Gold Creek Valley. 
  • Search in the valley opening to find the remains of the community and the Bernard-type coke ovens of the coal mining town of Lille
  • Lille is an Alberta Provincial Historic Site.  Please do not disturb or take anything from the site.

Saskatoon Mountain - 1.8 km to summit

  • Trail head:  Drive north from Coleman on Highway # 40 (Kananaskis Highway).  Stop just beyond the cattle guard that indicates the beginning of the Forest Reserve.
  • Follow the fence line west.  The true summit of Saskatoon Mountain is about a ten minute hike after the first lower summit.

Wedge Mountain - 1.8 km to summit - 430 meter elevation gain

  • Trail head: Follow the McGillivary Creek Road to the cattle guard and turn right (north) and park in one of the primitive camping area near the mountain's base.
  • The hike has no specific trail and one must climb their way up the rough volcanic rocks.  Wedge Mountain is one of the line of peaks in the Crowsnest Volcanics.
  • Good Hiking boots are a MUST for this hike.

Deadman's Pass - 7.3 km to pass

  • Trailhead:  Trail begins as the Chinook Lake Circuit heading northwest from the boat launch and continue straight where Chinook Lake cuts to the right.
  • This hike leads to a low Continental Divide pass.  A number of streams and beaver ponds are found near the actual BC/Alberta border. 
  •  The trail does continue into BC, but it is a long walk down to to Highway #3 - 12 km plus.

 

Window Mountain Lake - 2.0 km to lake

  • Trailhead: Drive north on Atlas road for 16.5 km, turn left for 2km ending at a parking area
  • Well defined trail leads leads to lake

 

Racehorse Pass - 3.2 km to Pass

  • Trailhead: Drive north on Atlas Road for 17km to bridge, take next left and park
  • An adandoned road leds to open meadow at the Continental Divide pass

 

Phillips Pass - 4.1 km to pass

  • Trailhead - At east end of Crowsnest Lake turn north off Highway #3, cross the bridge and park
  • The route follows the road that turns left across the C.P.R tracks
  • The route follows the road along Crowsnest Lake up the valley to Phillips Lake - signifies your crossing the Continental Divide
  • It continues down the west side 3.2 km to Crowsnest Provincial Park on Highway #3 in BC

 

Lynx Creek - 5.6 km to the end of the road

  • Trailhead: Following Sartoris Road south of Blairmore for 10 km and park at the junction
  • Hike the road through the forest burned out in the Lost Creek Fire in 2003.

 

Ironstone Lookout - 3.0 km from gate on York Creek road

  • Trailhead: Take York Creek road south of Coleman approximately 6.5 km to gated road
  • From gate climb up Willoughby Ridge to fire lookout

 

North York Creek - 6.2 km from York Creek Bridge

  • Trailhead: Take York Creek Road south of Coleman for 4 km and park at bridge
  • Route leads up the South bank of York Creek and ends where a RCAF DC-3 Dakota crashed in 1946

 

Challenging - major change in elevation, significant distance or major hazard - must have hiking boots

Livingstone Range Raptor Migration Viewpoint - 2.6 km one way

  • Trainhead: abandoned well site north of Frank Slide Centre, follow game trails along the ridge to internet transmission station
  • Spring and fall are the noted migration times of raptors

Crowsnest Ridge - 1.4 km from Phillips Pass Road to summit

  • Trailhead: begins approximatel;y .05 km west of Phillips Lake
  • Steep access road to communication tower
  • Dramatic views of Crowsnest Lake below

 

Very Challenging - Difficult route - Mountain scrambling and route finding skills required - must have appropriate gear

 

Turtle Mountain (North Peak) - 3.1 km to summit - 780 elevation gain

  • Trailhead: Trail begins on pipeline right-of-way on Blairmore east end.
  • Generally well defined trail
  • Good scrambling and route finding skills are essential

 

Crowsnest Mountain - 5.8 km to summit - 1040 m elevation gain

  • Trailhead: Drive north on Atlas Road 9.7 km - From parking area the trail leads back south.
  • Good Scrambling and route finding skills are a MUST for this hike.  This hike can be extremely dangerous for those unprepared or unskilled.

 

Mount Ward - 1.6 km from lake to summit - 630 m elevation gain

  • Trail head: The route begins on the scree slopes at the far end of Window Mountain Lake
  • Scrambling up the loose scree slope leads around the back of Mount Ward and below the "Window". 
  • To reach the window requires some climbing skills

 

The Promised Land

8.7 km to pass - 985 m elevation gain

Trailhead: 11km west of Coleman turn off Highway #3 at bridge over Crowsnest Creek - travel 3 km more and park at junction

  • There are significant caves in the area
  • Caving can be extremely dangerous.  Do Not enter any caves without proper equipment and training.