Sheep and Highwood | Trail Report | Kananaskis Country

Updated: October 08, 2026

Updated: October 08, 2026 | Print Report

Oct 7th: Expect the trails to be wet and muddy with a high possibility for snow and ice. Cold nights and warm days will change the trail conditions fast. Be prepared for shoulder season hiking conditions, check the forecast and advisories before heading out. Ice spikes and poles are highly recommended.

Visitors are reminded use extreme caution around waterways, obey all posted signs, barricades and closures. Please stay off closed trails and out of restricted areas to protect your safety, allow crews to complete their work, and help prevent further damage to already vulnerable landscapes and infrastructure.

Always come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change suddenly throughout the day. You may want to consider bringing hiking poles, micro spikes, toques, gloves and multiple layers. Note that days are getting shorter, plan your trip accordingly.

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

Closures:

Gorge Creek Road: Permanently Closed, from Ware Creek Day Use Area to Gorge Creek Day Use Area.

Notes:

Practice wildlife safety. Bears are up and active. 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.
Cattle graze in the area - be sure to close all gates behind you.
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 clothing.

Warnings:

Kananaskis Region: Weather
Meadow/Loggers Loop Area: Cougar

Snow Depths:

Highwood Pass: 72 cm

Maps

Sheep Valley Trails Map Sandy McNabb Campground Map

Trail Name	Permitted Activities (Legend)	Length	Status
9999	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	7 km	Open
Bighorn Interpretive	Hiking	0.5 km	Open
Bluerock Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	9 km one-way	Open
Bluerock Interpretive	Hiking	2 km one-way	Open
Cat Creek Interpretive	Hiking	1.3 km	Open
Curley Sands	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	3.5 km one-way	Open
Death Valley	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	12.5 km one-way	Open
Death Valley Loop	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	2.4 km	Open
Foran Grade	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	3.2 km one-way	Open
Gorge Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	11.5 one-way km	Open
Gorge Ware Connector	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	2.7 one-way km	Open
Green Mountain	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	11.5 km one-way	Open
Hog's Back	Hiking Horseback Riding	4.5 km one-way	Open
Indian Oils	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	8.5 km one-way	Open
Junction Creek Interpretive	Hiking	1.2 km	Open
Junction Mountain	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	13.7 km one-way	Open
Long Prairie Link	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	0.4 km	Open
Long Prairie Loop	Hiking		Open
Long Prairie Ridge	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	2.2 km	Open
Mist Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	10.2 km one-way	Open
Mount Hoffman	Hiking	9.3km	Open
North Fork	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	5.5 km one-way	Open
Picklejar Lakes This is not a maintained trail.	Hiking	8.4 km return	Open
Pine Ridge Connector	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	0.2 km	Open
Pine Ridge Loop	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	7.6 km	Open
Rickert's Pass Trail is flood damaged and washed out on north side of pass.	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding		Warning
Sandy McNabb Interpretive	Hiking	1.7 km	Open
Sheep Warning: The trail through the private property (located between the north face of Gibraltar Mountain on the south end and Burns Creek on the north end) was heavily damaged in 2013 and is not passable at this time.	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	South Section Sandy McNabb to Burns Private Land 27.5 km; North Section: Big Elbow Trail to Burns Private Land 8.6 km	Open
South Gorge Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	5 km one-way	Open
Threepoint Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	12 km one-way	Open
Volcano Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	4 km one-way	Open
Volcano Link	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	4.6 km one-way	Open
Volcano South	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	5.0 km	Open
Ware Creek	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	3.5 km one-way	Open
Windy Point	Biking/Cycling E-bikes Hiking Horseback Riding	6.2 km one-way	Open