Kananaskis Valley

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Kananaskis Country

Updated: June 25, 2022

Updated: June 25, 2022 | Print Report

COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.

Effective June 1, 2021, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.

June 23rd: Due to the recent heavy rains, most trails will be wet and/or muddy at this time. Many trails have not been assessed since the rain, so there is a potential for washed out/eroded banks and downed trees where snow fell. Be aware and use caution on the trails. When choosing your route, please consider the important note below. More snow fell at high elevations last week.

Important Note (June 23): The snowpack in Kananaskis is well above average for this time of year, due to low snow melt in April and May. Snow melt is currently 4 weeks behind, so what you may have been able to access safely in previous years could still be dangerous this year. Much of the terrain including popular hikes and scrambles in Kananaskis is still prone to avalanches. Visit https://www.avalanche.ca/spring-conditions and https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/kananaskis for more information and consider the precautions listed below.

Check snowpack, trail, and weather conditions before heading out into the backcountry.
Expect difficult conditions and more snow on trails than usual. Proper footwear and equipment are essential, such as microspikes, warm layers, and avalanche equipment depending on your plans.
Snow can make even easy to moderate trails difficult. Know your limits and hike within them.
Your group should have the skills, knowledge and training to travel in avalanche terrain if heading into the alpine - including Ribbon Lake Backcountry Campground.
You should carry an emergency communications device and be aware that cellular service not available in this area.
Leave the details of your plan with a responsible person.

Attention hikers with backcountry campground reservations:

You must camp on designated tent pads. Consider bringing a snow shovel.
Be prepared for winter camping. Fires are not permitted.

Closures:

Closed: Galatea - May 1^st - Late June
Closed: Eau Claire Campground Interpretive Trail

Notes:

Be aware of avalanche conditions. Current conditions can be found at Avalanche Canada.
Be wildlife aware! 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.
Caution is advised for natural hazards such as downed trees, washouts and missing bridges. Route-finding may be necessary. Please report any downed trees on the trails.
It’s tick season! Ticks live on our trails and are prominent in the spring. Protect yourself from tick bites by covering your skin with light coloured clothing, using bug spray containing DEET, and checking yourself and your pets after you have been outside.

Warnings:

Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area - Bear Warning
Stoney Trail, Troll Falls and Hay Meadows Trail Junction - Bear Warning
Kananaskis Country Golf Course - Bear Warning
Ribbon Creek Day Use & Surrounding Area, Including Ribbon Creek Hostel - Bear Warning
Kananaskis Country Backcountry Avalanche Hazard - Notice

Maps

Bow & Kananaskis Valleys Trail Map

Trail Name	Status	Keywords
Aspen Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Baldy Pass June 16th: New snow fell over the past few days.	Open	Biking/Cycling,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat
Barrier Lake Interpretive	Open	Hiking
Bill Milne E-bike Pilot Project Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Centennial Ridge Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Hiking Duane
Coal Mine Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Eau Claire Interpretive Closure: A Female moose with two calves is frequenting the trail and the surrounding willows. Previous separation between the cow and a calf has caused stress in the animals.	Closed	Hiking
Evan-Thomas Fire Road Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Horseback Riding
Galatea Creek Closure: Seasonal closure until the end of June	Closed	Hiking
Guinn's Pass June 16th: Currently not accessible via Galatea Creek Trail as the trail is closed until the end of June. Significant snowpack lingers and avalanche danger exists via Ribbon Creek Trail. Note: The junction is at Lower Galatea Lake, after Lillian Lake.	Open	Hiking
Hay Meadow Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Hidden Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane
High Level Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Kananaskis Integrated Forestry Interpretive	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Duane
Kovach Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Link E-bike Pilot Project Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking ebike, Electric Bike
Mount Kidd Interpretive Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Hiking Duane
Prairie View	Open	Biking/Cycling,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat
Ribbon Creek E-bike Pilot Project June 23: A significant amount of snow remains above the Ribbon Headwall above Ribbon Falls, with continued avalanche risk. Please read the important note at the top of this trail report page as it applies especially to those travelling to Ribbon Lake Backcountry Campground. Note: Bikes permitted on first 4 km of trail ONLY.	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking ebike, Electric Bike
Ruthie's Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane
Skogan Pass Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Horseback Riding Duane
Stoney E-bike Pilot Project Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Horseback Riding Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike Duane
Sunburst Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC
Terrace Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Terrace Link E-bike Pilot Project June 24th: Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking ebike, Electric Bike
Troll Falls E-bike Pilot Project Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Skiing,Snowshoeing Cross Country Skiing, XC Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike Duane
Upper Troll Falls Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Duane
Village Rim E-bike Pilot Project Warning due to bear activity	Warning	Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter) Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat ebike, Electric Bike
Wasootch Creek	Open	Hiking,Hiking (Winter)
Wedge Connector Warning: Bridge washed out over Evan-Thomas Creek . Trail may not be passable in high water. (still in effect June, 2022).	Warning	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
Wedge Pond	Open	Hiking Duane

Kananaskis Valley

Kananaskis Country

Maps