Spray Valley

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Kananaskis Country

Updated: June 23, 2022

Updated: June 23, 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: Snowpack melt in the Kananaskis is approximately four weeks behind typical melt this year. It may be summer, but snowy trail conditions and avalanches continue to be present. Many of the backcountry locations cross and/or travel through avalanche terrain. The abundant snow that fell on June 14th has melted at lower elevations, leaving trails snow free but wet and muddy in places; trails at higher elevations will still be mainly snow covered, deep in places, with some bare areas. Many trees have come down on the trails due to the recent wet snow- these have been removed from most facility trails and removal will continue over the coming days and weeks, getting to high elevation trails as the snowpack dwindles.

Important Note (June 23rd): 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 and weather conditions before heading out into the backcountry.
Come prepared for snow with proper footwear and equipment, 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.

Closures:

Chester Lake - Annual Trail Closure May 1 - June 29th

Notes:

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.
Ribbon Falls, Ribbon Lake and Lillian Lake Backcountry Campgrounds are CLOSED during the spring season.
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:

Kananaskis Country Backcountry Avalanche Hazard - Notice

Snow Depths:

June 20, 2022:

Mud Lake: 0 cm
Burstall Pass: 138 cm

Snow depths are most up-to-date on https://www.avalanche.ca/

Maps

Trail Name	Status	Keywords
Buller Pass June 16th: Deep Snow.	Open	Hiking Duane
Burstall Pass June 16th: Deep snow. Note: Bikes permitted on first 2.9 km of trail ONLY.	Open	Biking/Cycling,Hiking Duane
Chester Lake Closure: Annual Trail Closure May 1 - June 29.	Closed	Biking/Cycling,Hiking
High Rockies	Open	Biking/Cycling,Dog Sledding,Hiking
Karst Spring June 16th: Some snow patches.	Open	Hiking
Peninsula June 15th: Downed trees removed.	Open	Hiking
Rummel Lake Note: Trail is not maintained for summer use.	Warning	Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Skiing,Snowshoeing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane
Spray Road West	Open	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Horseback Riding,Skijoring Duane
Watridge Lake	Open	Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Horseback Riding

Spray Valley

Kananaskis Country

Maps