Bow Valley Trail Report - Kananaskis Country

Nov 30: Expect most trails to be snow covered, increasing in depth with elevation. Icy sections could exist.

At any time come prepared for a variety of conditions. You may want to consider bringing hiking poles, microspikes, toques, gloves and multiple layers.

Be aware of closures in the area and check advisories before you go.

Annual Road Closures:

Bow Valley Park Road: Closed Oct 10 - Apr 30, west of Middle Lake.

Closures:

Lady Macdonald and Cougar Creek Canyon Blasting Area: Construction Closure
Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground: Construction Closure
Pigeon Mountain: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 15 for protection of critical winter range for elk and bighorn sheep.
West Wind Valley: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 15 for protection of critical winter range for elk and bighorn sheep.

Notes:

Be aware of avalanche conditions. Current conditions can be found at Avalanche Canada.
Practice wildlife safety. Travel in groups, make noise on the trail, and keep pets on leash. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is highly recommended, even in winter.
Caution is advised for natural hazards such as downed trees, washouts and missing bridges. Route-finding may be necessary.
Be sure not to overestimate your ability when planning your trip: Humility can be a life saver. Plan for rapidly changing conditions and bring extra socks.
Please note that many official summer hiking trails are not maintained over the winter.

Warnings:

Heart Creek Flood Project: Construction Advisory

Trail Name	Length	Status	Keywords
Bow River Interpretive	2.1 km one-way	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Duane
Bow Valley Paved E-bike Pilot Project	4.2 km one-way	Open	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Elk Flats	1.9 km one-way	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Flowing Water Interpretive	2.0 km return	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Grotto Creek Canyon	2.1 km one-way	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Heart Creek Interpretive Warning: Construction advisory - flood mitigation project on Heart Creek upstream of Highway 1.	1.3 km one-way	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Jewell Pass	2.9 km one-way	Open	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Many Springs Interpretive Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Oct 10 - Apr 30.	1.3 km	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Middle Lake Interpretive	2.0 km	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Duane
Montane Interpretive	1.5 km	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Moraine Interpretive	1.1 km one-way	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Prairie View	6.6 km one-way to viewpoint	Open	Biking/Cycling,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat
Quaite Creek	5.7 km one-way to Jewell Pass	Open	Biking/Cycling,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Horseback Riding Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat
Razors Edge If choosing to hike this trail, exercise extreme caution and be aware that bikers may be traveling at high speed on downhill sections.	6.6 km one-way to viewpoint	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat
Stoney E-bike Pilot Project	22.5 km one-way	Open	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Horseback Riding,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike Duane
Windy Viewpoint	5.4 km	Open	Hiking
Yamnuska Climbers' Access Route	2.1km one-way	Open	Hiking Duane
Yamnuska East Ridge Rockfall hazard increases in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the frozen waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.	3.6 km one-way	Warning	Hiking
Yamnuska Scramble Route Difficult travel in areas with snow and ice covered trail. Rockfall hazard increases in freeze / thaw weather conditions.	10.2km return	Warning	Hiking Duane

Trail Name

Permitted Activities (Legend)

Length

Status

Bow River Interpretive

2.1 km one-way

Warning

Bow Valley Paved E-bike Pilot Project

4.2 km one-way

Open

Elk Flats

1.9 km one-way

Open

Flowing Water Interpretive

2.0 km return

Open

Grotto Creek Canyon

2.1 km one-way

Open

Heart Creek Interpretive
Warning: Construction advisory - flood mitigation project on Heart Creek upstream of Highway 1.

1.3 km one-way

Warning

Jewell Pass

2.9 km one-way

Open

Many Springs Interpretive
Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Oct 10 - Apr 30.

1.3 km

Warning

Middle Lake Interpretive

2.0 km

Open

Montane Interpretive

1.5 km

Open

Moraine Interpretive

1.1 km one-way

Open

Prairie View

6.6 km one-way to viewpoint

Open

Quaite Creek

5.7 km one-way to Jewell Pass

Open

Razors Edge
If choosing to hike this trail, exercise extreme caution and be aware that bikers may be traveling at high speed on downhill sections.

6.6 km one-way to viewpoint

Warning

Stoney E-bike Pilot Project

22.5 km one-way

Open

Windy Viewpoint

5.4 km

Open

Yamnuska Climbers' Access Route

2.1km one-way

Open

Yamnuska East Ridge
Rockfall hazard increases in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the frozen waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.

3.6 km one-way

Warning

Yamnuska Scramble Route
Difficult travel in areas with snow and ice covered trail. Rockfall hazard increases in freeze / thaw weather conditions.

10.2km return

Warning

Bow Valley

Kananaskis Country

Maps