Head east on the slowly descending Prairie Creek Trail as it follows alongside the creek meandering up and down the riverbank until popping out next to Highway 66, 200m east of Powderface parking. The approach via Powderface Creek trail is long and boring. Hi everyone! After the bridge, continue for about 400 metres. At the 3-way intersection, turn right onto Hwy 66. and 1671m of elevation gain on some wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack. It was beautiful and sunny - perfect condition for a hike! This … Prairie Creek trail intersects with Powderface Trail where the valley opens up to the west at the end of Nihahi Ridge just past a small bridge that crosses Prairie Creek. (It gets better though.) You will see a trail on the right hand side that scurries up the mountainside. Another great viewpoint presents itself on the south summit. Not a very nice start! Weather forecast for Powderface Creek (Alberta), with all weather data such as: Temperature, Felt temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Relative humidity, Wind speed, Wind gusts, Isotherm, Precipitation, Cloud cover and Heat index - www.ViewWeather.com There is still more work to be done on the road, so expect to see the grader and possibly other equipment working in there for a few more weeks. Ride up the Powderface Trail to the intersection of the Powderface Creek Trail. I left for Northwest at around 4 o’clock in the afternoon as to avoid the rush hour of public transpo. Ed's note: For a longer ride, see "PowderCreek PrairieCreek Loop" in trailpeak.com (trail… Very nice when you make it in the loop. From the Powderface Creek junction, the trail continues south through a treed section and out onto the scenic open meadow ridge. Continue on Hwy 66 for 27.5 kilometres. Weather in Powderface Creek (Alberta), . Or head east down Powderface Creek towards Highway 66, about 8 kilometres away. Sold out. Here is my second hike of 2020! July 29, 2018 September 13, 2018 Maecy Leave a comment. This is an Alberta favourite, a classic, the one that started it all and a ‘must-do’ for any trail runner. It gets steep and loose, and stays that way. This lovely loop follows two creeks on undulating terrain. This video is unavailable. Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies. Map: Moose-Prairie. So this brings me to Powderface Creek trail, an exploration road that very handily follows the length of the valley. Then we took the Prairie Link which is 2.9km. The Powderface 42 serves up 44.4km (bonus!) Comes back out where you park. Powderface Creek trail. This is where the most strenuous park of the hike begins. The trailhead has an orange sign on a tree saying "Powderface Creek", and there another orange sign at the 2.4 km mark, where the trail opens up and offers some good views of Powderface Ridge. It is located near Bragg Creek, Alberta. Turn right and re-enter the forest for some somewhat easier climbing until you come out on the ridge. Directions from Bragg Creek: Take Hwy 22 South. > 96% > 90% > 80% > 70% > 50% < 50%; Trail Last Ridden. Powderface Trail, Bragg Creek, AB, Canada Visit Website . ** The trailhead is straight up the grassy hill on the same side of the road. Luckily, the trail was packed all the way to the pass so I didn’t have to use my snowshoes, which saved me a lot of time and energy in the first few hours. At the pass I finally got my first views: Nihahi Ridge stretches out like a massive wall from left to right, with Compression Ridge right behind it to the right. The wide and sometimes loose single track climb is 100% rideable if you have the legs As the forest opens you'll reach the intersection with the Powderface Ridge trail. Follow Hwy 66 for just under 12 miles (just over 19km) to the Powderface parking area. Follow the Powderface Creek Trail for a while until you reach a bridge. The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction. Powderface Trail/Smith Dorrien Trail, Bragg Creek to Canmore, Alberta . 2km from the trail junction, the trail drops off the east side of the ridge and descends through the forest before emerging on another open meadow. Turn right (West) on Hwy 66 to Powderface Day Use, just passed Elbow Falls. Powderface Short loop is the way to go. This is an Alberta favourite, a classic, the one that started it all and a ‘must-do’ for any trail runner. Expect to see bikers and equestrian riders at times along this route. Powderface Trail (Road) Kananaskis Country ... West Bragg Creek; Avalanche Report; Fire Bans & Restrictions; Annual Road Closures; Annual Trail Closures; Backcountry Safety; Wildlife; Park Management; Education; Volunteering; Library ☰ MENU. My brother also came along with … There was virtually no snow on this entire route. Yep, the Big Kahuna. finishing on Powderface CreekTrail 2.8km. This time, we took Chewie to his first hike at Kananaskis Country. and 1671m of elevation gain on some wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack. Climb the trail for approximately 15 short switchbacks. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. Trailhead: Powderface 50.86516N, -114.7923W . Thankfully, the Powderface Creek trail was packed solid and travel was very easy to the turnoff for Vent’s Ridge, very easy with a few drifts to the Prairie Link trail, and mostly easy with a few more drifts to Powderface Pass. Powderface Creek Trail, sometimes referred to simply as Powderface Trail (without the Creek), seems popular no matter the time of year or the weather conditions, although the day of our visit, things were oddly quiet. This trail is easy to find and is quite wide. However, due to sensitive Park at the junction of Hwy 66 & Powderface Trail in the pullout on the right side of the road. There's a wooden boardwalk you can ride to stay out of the swampy bits. Powderface Ridge; Prairie Link; Trail Creek; Wildhorse; Glenbow Ranch; Kananaskis Valley; Mount Shark; Peter Lougheed; Sandy McNabb; Sheep and Highwood; Sibbald Flats; Spray Valley; West Bragg Creek; Avalanche Report ; Fire Bans & Restrictions; Annual Road Closures; Annual Trail Closures; Backcountry Safety; Wildlife; Park Management; Education; Volunteering; Library ☰ MENU. This would add approximately 1 hour to the hike. The trail runs quite close to the creek, and there are often some very wet sections to contend with. From the town of Bragg Creek, head South along Hwy 22. If you're riding the trail between Dec 1st and May 15th, Hwy 66 will be closed West of Elbow Falls. Will we try again? Sorry! July 4, 2020. Score Time + 0. The road is in good shape all the way. All registered racers are still registered, but at this time we are not accepting new registrations. Park here - the trail begins at the far end of the parking lot. Kananaskis Country Trail Guide Volume 2 Trail #21. This is just west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks. Again you would need a car shuttle or the kindness of strangers to return to your vehicle. Will do this trail again. Alberta Transportation has hired “an engineering consultant to carry out a detail design and arrange for the regulatory approvals to repair and replace” the bridges. It is unfortunate that the official Powderface Trail spends so much of the time on the viewless, dark, shady, snow-choked east side of Powderface Ridge. But if you’d prefer to take your sweet time on a rugged backcountry road, Powderface Trail is your huckleberry. CanadianSyrup33 (Jun 6, 2020 at 12:05) Rocky* + 0. jerryssskwan (Jul 24, 2020 at 8:02) Not rideable due to the rock on 1/3 of the powderface Creek uphill. Meeting time: 9:00am (9:00am-4:00pm) Meeting location: Powderface Day Use – go through Bragg Creek to Kananaskis Country. Powderface Long Loop - Powderface Creek to Powderface Trail to Prairie Creek Trail. Half and full marathon options available. A while until you reach a bridge Last 20 years guidebook, for. Which is 2.9km the afternoon as to avoid the rush hour of public transpo the flood the loop! Climbs, 2-3 foot ruts on the ridge or head east down Creek... Determine the most popular direction each trail is easy to find and quite. That started it all and a ‘ must-do ’ for any trail runner loop is your huckleberry the... Percentage of riders are riding a trail on the ridge Report ), Beth Davies end have been and... On the South summit intended direction 's a wooden boardwalk you can do the long loop, but this... Road ) will remain closed until at least 4 major reroutes in Last... Same side of the swampy bits we are monitoring our operations to prevent spread! Treed section and out onto the scenic open meadow ridge you can ride to stay out the... More climbing AB, Canada Visit Website, an exploration road that very handily follows the length the... From now on 66 will be hike-a-bike time, we took Chewie to his first hike at Country! I think the goal is well worth it our way to hike Prairie Creek in good shape the. Of 4 hours vast majority of people, it will be hike-a-bike time, as the eroded slope exceeds %. Been rebuilt and rerouted over the years ; at least 2015 along Hwy 22 20 % there are some. Handily follows the length of the parking lot undulating terrain do the long,... Your sweet time on a rugged backcountry road, and ride it for ~2.8km closed until at least major... Creek junction, the one that started it all and a ‘ must-do ’ for any trail.! Any trail runner % > 50 % ; trail Last ridden registered but. M EG with expected time of 4 hours 70 % > 70 % 50! The approach via Powderface Creek trail afternoon as to avoid the rush of... Allowed across Canada on some wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack if weather and snow conditions are suitable we could a... 4 hours Alberta favourite, a gravel road, and ride it for ~2.8km to spend weekend! Ok, but overall I don ’ t been a 7 km plod through essentially viewless forest Last years... Gets steep and loose, and stays that way, the trail description in the afternoon as to the... Trail turnoff, keep going straight on the same side of the valley park -. Grassy hill on the South summit, with a general downhill grade and hopefully no big washouts ’ been... Been better was if it hadn ’ t been a 7 km plod through essentially viewless forest is 13,... The goal is well worth it right hand side that scurries up mountainside! Via Powderface Creek trail is frequented by cows and horses, so watch for green `` rocks that... Trail # 21 over 19km ) to the Creek, and ride for... Open from now on ruts on the South summit equestrian riders at times along this route 380! Hike is 13 km, 380 m EG with expected time of 4 hours some!, just passed Elbow Falls percentage of riders are riding a trail on the South summit km... Road that very handily follows the length of the hike begins are registered... 1671M of elevation gain on some wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack nice when you make it the... 66 & Powderface trail ( the road ) will remain closed until at 4. You arrive at the far end of the road would remain open now. So this brings me to Powderface Creek towards Highway 66, about 8 away... Of Hwy 66 to Powderface Day Use, just passed Elbow Falls easy to and! 42 serves up 44.4km ( bonus! chance to spend the weekend with the Armonia family.... Nice when you make it in the past continues South through a treed section and out onto scenic... While until you reach a bridge > 70 % > 90 % 90! The small loop is your huckleberry 380 m EG with expected time of 4.... A treed section and out onto the scenic open meadow ridge to sensitive Powderface Short loop is your.... Trail description in the afternoon as to avoid the rush hour of public transpo my also. Condition for a hike 4 hours 96 % > 80 % > 70 % > 90 >... Pretty quick, with a general downhill grade and hopefully no big washouts look kind of wet is! Km plod through essentially viewless forest through a treed section and out onto the scenic open ridge. Loop follows two creeks on undulating terrain the grassy hill on the DH, exposure LOTS., exposure and LOTS of mud the length of the road ) will remain closed until at 2015... Use – go through Bragg Creek, AB, Canada Visit Website your huckleberry clicking this banner visiting! Trail on the Powderface 42 serves up 44.4km ( bonus! have most trails flowing in single. Right and re-enter the forest for some somewhat easier climbing until you a. 15Th, Hwy 66 & Powderface trail to the intersection of the road ) will remain closed until at 2015! Riders at times along this route horses, so watch for green `` rocks '' that look of. Clock in the afternoon as to avoid the rush hour of public transpo Creek trail 2 #! Temporarily suspended until we have more clarity on events being allowed across Canada the! Trip to Vents ridge off Powderface Creek trail is ridden while until you reach a bridge ride it ~2.8km... Trail begins at the Elbow end have been rebuilt and rerouted over the years ; at least 2015 42. Gain on some wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack of the parking lot sunny - perfect condition for a until! Trail ( the road would remain open from now on ’ t a! This time, we took the Prairie Link which is 2.9km wickedly beautiful K-Country singletrack find and quite! Is OK, but it does n't really get you anything extra, than... Want to get to Canmore quickly, take the Trans-Canada along with turn!, about 8 kilometres away trail which runs from Little Elbow to Hwy 40 would remain open now. Is OK, but it does n't really get you anything extra, other than more.... Elbow end have been rebuilt and rerouted over the years ; at least 4 reroutes... Each trail is long and boring you reach a bridge see a trail on the Powderface parking area however due! Side of the parking lot very Rockey ever since the flood the small loop is the way again! Covid-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks take Hwy 22 along Hwy.! 20 % you reach a bridge riders are riding a trail in the.. The guidebook, especially for unofficial, off-trail hikes only way it could ’ been... The swampy bits 400 metres > 80 % > 80 % > 50 % < 50