Bow Valley Trail Report - Kananaskis Country

December 3rd: Trails will be mostly snow covered, increasing depth with elevation. Expect icy and slippery sections.

Over the coming weeks the snow line will raise and lower as precipitation rolls in and out and temperatures rise and fall.

At anytime come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change throughout the day. Note that days are now growing shorter.

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

Closures:

Lady Macdonald and Cougar Creek Canyon Blasting Area: Construction Closure
Bow Valley Park Road: Closed mid-Oct - Apr 30 West of Middle Lake
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.

Warnings:

Mountain Pine Beetle Control: Bow Valley (daily locations vary)

Trail Name	Length	Status	Keywords
Bow Corridor Trail Warning: Trail has many old wooden structures in various condition.	7.4 km one-way	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking ebike, Electric Bike
Bow River Interpretive	2.1 km one-way	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Duane
Bow Valley Paved	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 Icy and slippery conditions often exist on this trail from October to May. Come prepared with ice grips and poles. It may not be possible to walk the trail safely without.	1.3 km one-way	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Jewell Pass	2.9 km one-way	Open	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) ebike, Electric Bike
Many Springs Interpretive Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Oct 15th - Apr 30th.	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,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Quaite Creek	5.7 km one-way to Jewell Pass	Open	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Horseback Riding Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Razors Edge Note: If hiking this trail, be aware that bikers may be traveling at speed on downhill sections.	6.6 km one-way to viewpoint	Open	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Stoney	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
Yamnuska Climbers' Access Route	2.1km one-way	Open	Hiking Duane
Yamnuska East Ridge Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.	3.6 km one-way	Warning	Hiking
Yamnuska Scramble Route Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.	10.2km return	Warning	Hiking Duane
Yamnuska West Col Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.	4.0 km	Warning	Hiking Duane

Trail Name

Permitted Activities (Legend)

Length

Status

Bow Corridor Trail
Warning: Trail has many old wooden structures in various condition.

7.4 km one-way

Warning

Bow River Interpretive

2.1 km one-way

Warning

Bow Valley Paved

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

Icy and slippery conditions often exist on this trail from October to May. Come prepared with ice grips and poles. It may not be possible to walk the trail safely without.

1.3 km one-way

Warning

Jewell Pass

2.9 km one-way

Open

Many Springs Interpretive
Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Oct 15th - Apr 30th.

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
Note: If hiking this trail, be aware that bikers may be traveling at speed on downhill sections.

6.6 km one-way to viewpoint

Open

Stoney

22.5 km one-way

Open

Yamnuska Climbers' Access Route

2.1km one-way

Open

Yamnuska East Ridge
Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.

3.6 km one-way

Warning

Yamnuska Scramble Route
Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.

10.2km return

Warning

Yamnuska West Col
Warning: Rockfall hazard exists on this trail, especially in freeze / thaw weather conditions. Be cautious and move quickly through areas with overhead hazard, particularly in the waterfall section of the West Col portion of trail.

4.0 km

Warning