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Home , Crowsnest Mountain, Frank Slide, Kananaskis Country, Pincher Creek, Tent Mountain

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P West e r Access c e k C e Centre Coleman r re e Pineview e C Access k re o 3 129th Street irm McGillivray la mine site B Crowsn es t Miners Ri k ve e 10 9 r e 20th Avenue r Path East C y Access a r Blairmore 20th Ave r v

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23 Ironstone Lookout TO TRAILHEAD 24 North York 22 Lynx Creek Creek 1 Leitch Collieries 7 Lille 11 Star Creek Falls 16 Crowsnest Mountain 22 Lynx Creek (0.8 km loop) (6.3 km one way) (1.2 km to falls viewpoint) (5.8 km to summit - 1040 m elevation gain) (5.6 km to the end of the road) Trailhead: Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site - Trailhead: Follow Sartoris Road south from Blairmore Ta e a Hi e Trailhead: North of Frank Slide Centre access road Trailhead: Take Willow Drive west from West Coleman Trailhead: Drive north on the Allison Creek/Atlas Road Highway 3, 5 km east of Bellevue for 10 km, where a rough road leads northwest up in the (another option is to park at the Frank Slide Centre for 1.7 km to the bridge over Star Creek. 100 m past for 9.7 km, keeping right at the junction for Chinook Self-guided interpretive trails lead visitors through and walk back down the paved access road to the Lake. From the parking area, the trail leads back Lynx Creek. Park at the junction and hike the road. the remains of Leitch Collieries, a coal mine that the bridge turn left and drive 700 m (rough road) to The road leads up through the forests burned out CrowsnestCrowsnest PassPass cattleguard at the hairpin turn). Cross the cattleguard the trailhead sign. south. operated from 1906-1915. The trails are gravelled at the hairpin turn on the Frank Slide Interpretive Crowsnest Mountain is the crown jewel of hikes in in the Lost Creek Fire of 2003. Mt. Coulthard and and are wheelchair accessible. Interpretive sta is This route leads through a small canyon to 15 m the dominate the views to the Centre access road. Take the second road to your left high Star Creek Falls. In the spring of the year, the the area. The massive form of the mountain can on site each summer from May 15 to Labour Day. (approximately 250 m from the cattleguard). Park in actually be summited by hikers without having to west. It is possible to hike beyond the end of the creek has much more ow and you will have to road to the meadowed slopes above. the meadow. stick to the main trail. In autumn, when water do any technical . However, it is a long and 2 Hike on the rough road that leads into the forest. levels are much lower, it is possible to make your dicult hike, with many hazards including danger HIKING TRAILS Bellevue-Hillcrest Path from falling rock and some very exposed sections. (2.2 km one way) Once the rough road rejoins the main Lille access way up the canyon oor to the falls. 23 Ironstone Lookout road (approximately 1.5 km from the start), turn left The trail leads through the forest and begins to (3.0 km from gate on York Creek road) Easy Trailhead: 9th Avenue in Hillcrest; 23rd Ave in Bellevue and follow the road up the Gold Creek Valley. There climb at a very steady pace, eventually reaching This paved path connects the communities of Trailhead: Take the York Creek Road south from Generally on well-maintained trails with little is one small crossing of Green Creek, followed by 12 Saskatoon Mountain treeline just before the 3 km mark. From here the Bellevue and Hillcrest. The path parallels the West two more substantial crossings of the Gold Creek. (1.8 km to summit) route leads up open scree slopes to the base of the Coleman. Depending on your vehicle, you may not change in elevation and no major hazards. Hillcrest Access for most of its length, crossing the want to drive much of this road. The gated road to For both Gold Creek crossings, there are snow- Trailhead: There are several informal routes that lead massive cli s above. Once at the base of the cli s, Crowsnest River on the vehicular bridge at mobile bridges upstream from the vehicle ford. the route works its way to the left, eventually Ironstone is approximately 6.5 km from Coleman. Hiking boots are not necessary. Riverbottom. A tunnel takes hikers under busy from the Pineview subdivision in Coleman to Add whatever distance you don’t drive to the 3.0 km One nal crossing at Morin Creek brings you out Saskatoon Mountain. This route leads from the reaching ‘the Chimney’, the crux of this route. In Highway 3. into the open at what once was the coal mining dry conditions, the 50m long chute is generally not from the gate to the lookout. Kananaskis Highway (Highway 40). Drive north from From the gate, the road climbs steadily and steeply community of Lille. A bit of searching will nd Coleman on Highway 40. Stop just beyond the a major problem. In early season, if snow persists Moderate or in foul weather, the Chimney can be treacherous. up Willoughby Ridge to the re lookout. There are 3 basement depressions, bricks, rusted metal and a cattleguard indicating the beginning of the Forest Frank Slide Trail couple of re hydrants. Once in the meadow, if you Once above the Chimney, the route follows a series expansive views of the area burned in the Lost Trail may involve signicant changes in (1.5 km loop) Reserve. Creek Fire in 2003. veer to the left, you will come across the basement There is no formal trail leading up “Saskie”. From of tracks steeply through loose scree, eventually elevation and moderate distances. Hiking Trailhead: Frank Slide Interpretive Centre parking lot foundation of the Lille Hotel, a ne two-storey reaching the peak. Being the highest point in the This gravel pathway leads into the rocks of the Highway 40, follow the fence line west as it steadily boots recommended. Topographic map structure in its day. Continuing in this direction will climbs up through forest and open grassland. The Crowsnest Pass at 2785 m, views are unparalleled 24 North York Creek Frank Slide of 1903, giving hikers an up-close look lead to a large pile of slack coal and the remains of from the summit. useful but not usually essential. at the awesome power of nature. An interpretive true summit of Saskatoon Mountain is about ten (6.2 km from York Creek bridge) Lille’s Bernard-type coke ovens. minutes after the rst lower summit. Note: Good and route- nding skills are a guidebook is available for a minimal cost from the Note: Lille is an Alberta Provincial Historic Site. Do not must for this hike. This hike can be extremely Trailhead: Take the York Creek Road south from Frank Slide Interpretive Centre gift shop and is disturb or take anything from the site. dangerous for those unprepared or unskilled. Coleman. Approximately 4 km from Coleman, you keyed to numbered markers along the trail. can park at the bridge over York Creek. Challenging 13 Wedge Mountain Cross the bridge and follow the route that leads up (1.8 km to summit - 430 m elevation gain) Crowsnest Mountain the south bank of York Creek. The route eventually Will have either major change of elevation, 4 Hastings Ridge Trailhead: There is no speci c trailhead for this hike. forks, and hikers take the right fork across York Creek signicant distance or a major hazard. Route (3.5 km one way) Follow the McGillivray Creek (Gun Range) Road from and up the North York Creek drainage. The route ends the west end of Coleman. From the cattleguard at where in 1946 an RCAF DC-3 Dakota crashed into the nding skills may be required. Topographic Trailhead: Height of land on Adanac Road, 9.5 km 2.5 km on the road, Wedge Mountain stands out to valley, killing all on board. The upper valley, below map essential. Must have hiking boots. from East Hillcrest Road the right (north). Turn right at the next intersection the face of Mt. Coulthard, has pleasant meadows. Follow the old road that leads west from the and park in one of the primitive camping areas near cattleguard, taking left forks when faced with an the mountain’s base. 25 option. The road slowly climbs the ridge, emerging Wedge Mountain is one of the line of peaks that The Promised Land above the remains of an open pit coal mining make up the Crowsnest Volcanics, a geologically (8.7 km to pass - 985 m elevation gain) Very Challenging operation from the 1940s. From the height of the unique formation in the southern Rockies. The hike Trailhead: Turn south o of Highway 3 just east of the ridge, there are expansive panoramic views in all does not follow any trails, and one must simply slog bridge over Crowsnest Creek, 11 km west of Coleman. Dicult route with major change in directions. The Flathead Range to the west their way up the rough volcanic rocks. Views from Drive on the gravel road for 3 km and park at the junction. elevation. Mountain scrambling and route dominates the vista that extends south to Waterton the large cairn at the summit are impressive, The route follows the rough road to the left (south). Park. nding skills required. Must be prepared especially towards the looming face of Crowsnest 17 Window Mountain Lake The rst 2/3 of this route cross back and forth over Mountain. (2.0 km to lake) the bubbling waters of Ptolemy Creek and can make with appropriate gear. Coke ovens at Lille Note: Good hiking boots are a must for this hike. for a nice outing in itself. At the end of the road, a 5 Livingstone Range Trailhead: Drive north on the Allison Creek/Atlas Road well-dened trail climbs very steeply up through Raptor Migration Viewpoint for 16.5 km, keeping right at the junction for Chinook the forest to a rocky pass into the moonscape of Discover (2.6 km one way) Lake. At km 16.5 a rough road leads left (west) for ‘The Promised Land’. There are several signicant 8 Turtle Mountain (North Peak) 2 km, ending at a parking area. caves in the immediate area, including Cleft Cave, Trailhead: Abandoned well site on gravel road north (3.1 km to summit - 780 m elevation gain) A well-dened path leads steeply up and over the Crowsnest Heritage of Frank Slide Centre. The access road leads north Gargantua Cave and Yorkshire Pot. Trailhead: The trail begins on the pipeline right-of-way headwall from the parking area into the basin Note: Caving can be extremely dangerous. Do not enter The route or the nal destination are across the cattleguard from the hairpin turn on the holding the stunning blue-green waters of Window Frank Slide Interpretive Centre access road. Follow the at the west end of the rocky spur that extends down to any caves without proper equipment and training. signicant in the history of the Crowsnest the Blairmore subdivision on Turtle Mountain’s slope. Mountain Lake. The lake is a very popular spot in main road up the hill, keeping right at the main the summer with day hikers and anglers. Despite Pass and . junction. Eventually this leads to an open meadow A back alley o of 16th Avenue onto the pipleline right-of-way will lead down to a parking area below its name, the “window” on Mount Ward cannot be (abandoned well site) beneath the Livingstone Range. seen from the lake. From the well site, there are game trails and a few the trail. Painted yellow rocks indicate the start of the worn routes that lead steeply up the grass and trail. forest ridge, and those with good route-nding The trail begins rather steeply and roughly, ghting 18 Mount Ward its way up the west shoulder of Turtle Mountain. Ta e a Hi e HIKING IN THE skills will have few problems. Once on the ridge, (1.6 km from lake to summit - nd the internet transmission station (looks like a The trail is generally well-dened throughout its Chinook Lake 630 m elevation gain) plastic porta-potty). The viewpoint is on the length. Although there is no actual climbing in the CROWSNEST PASS involved, good scrambling and route nding Trailhead: The route begins on the scree slopes at the eastern face of the ridge, overlooking Rock Creek far end of Window Mountain Lake Wildlife valley. In the spring and fall each year, thousands abilities are an essential. The route comes very 14 Chinook Lake Circuit close to a number of sheer precipices, so those who (2.3 km loop) For those keen to see the “Window” on Mount The Crowsnest Pass is wildlife country! Even of large raptors make their way north and south Ward, it is a tough scramble up the loose scree Crowsnest do not like very exposed views should not attempt Crowsnest along this yway, using the thermals to lift them on an Easy trail, you may encounter wildlife, this trail. From the top of North Peak, there are Trailhead: This trail begins along the shoreline of slope from the southwest corner of Window high above the valley oor. Golden eagle counts Chinook (Allison) Lake Mountain Lake. Follow the general direction of the including bears. Do not approach or feed are taken from this location each migration season. fantastic views in all directions, but especially down onto the rocks of the Frank Slide in the valley below. This pleasant 2.3 km loop encircles Chinook Lake, gulley as it leads around the back of Mount Ward, wildlife. Be bear aware. If you are hiking in and the trail is seldom far from the shores of this eventually ending up below the Window. To peaceful pond. If hiking clockwise, watch for the actually reach the Window will require some PassPass bear habitat, hike in groups and make lots of 6 Livingstone Range View of Frank Slide from Turtle Mountain trail as it heads down into the forest a few hundred climbing skills. noise. Wood ticks are common on grassy Chert Quarries metres beyond the western end of the lake. The slopes in the rst six weeks of spring. (2.3 km one way) campground is busy spring through fall, and there 19 Trailhead: Pipeline access road north of Frank Slide is generally kid activity in the summer along the Racehorse Pass Hoary marmot Centre. The access road leads north across the trail at the ‘beach’. (3.2 km to pass) cattleguard from the hairpin turn on the Frank Slide Trailhead: Drive north on the Allison Creek/Atlas Road Interpretive Centre access road. Follow the main road 15 Deadman Pass (7.3 km to pass) for 17 km to the bridge that crosses Racehorse Creek. up the hill, keeping right at the main junction and Take the next side road to the left and park. then left to the gas pipeline (watch for the orange Trailhead: Trail begins as the Chinook Lake Circuit, An abandoned road leads from the Racehorse pipeline warning signs). Although it is possible to heading northwest from the boat launch. Continue Creek valley to open meadows at this Continental drive part of this road (rough 4WD), it is best to hike straight where the Chinook Lake Circuit cuts to the Divide pass. In summer, showy wildowers are from where you rst reach the pipeline. right. abundant in the pleasant meadows at the pass. Hike the pipeline road up to the windswept pass This forest-enclosed hike leads to a low Continental at the crest of the Livingstone Range. From here Divide pass northwest of Chinook Lake. Three Hazards make your way less than half a kilometre back east kilometres from the lake, a rough 4WD road is 20 Phillipps Pass Like any natural area, the Crowsnest Pass has to the base of the large eletrical transmission tower. encountered. Turn left and follow the road, taking a (4.1 km to pass) The “quarries” are found on the bench overlooking right fork 100 metres down the 4WD road. A many hazards that hikers need to deal with. the Crowsnest Valley, another 100m southeast of number of streams and beaver ponds are found Trailhead: Turn north o of Highway 3 at the east end Be aware that the weather can change . It was at this location, in the waist-deep near the actual Alberta-B.C. border. The trail does of , past the small collection of suddenly in the Crowsnest Pass. A sunny day pits, that the K’tunaxa and the Piikani dug out continue into B.C., but it is a long walk down buildings, to the bridge over the Crowsnest River. Park nodules of chert, a int-like material, which they 9 Blairmore Riverside Path (12 km+) to Highway 3. once across thebridge. The route follows the road can quickly become cold and rainy. In the used for tool making. (1.9 km one way) that turns left across the C.P.R. tracks. Note: This hike can easily be combined with the The route follows the road along Crowsnest Lake fall , hunters can be found in many areas of Trailhead: Blairmore’s 20th Avenue (East Access Bridge Livingstone Range Raptor Migration Viewpoint Prairie crocus and then up a narrow valley to Phillipps Pass. Tiny the Crowsnest Pass outside the municipal (Hike #5) to make a loop trip. The distance from the and West Access Bridge) Phillipps Lake (on the Alberta-B.C. border) signies Chert Quarries to the Raptor Migration Viewpoint is This paved path follows the south bank of the your crossing of the Continental Divide. The route boundaries. If hiking in the fall, stay on Crowsnest River for the entire length of Blairmore, well-marked trails and wear bright clothing. approximately 0.5 km. It is approximately 1.0 km continues down the west side of the pass for 3.2 km between trailheads. crossing Blairmore’s Centre Access at its mid-point. to Crowsnest Provincial Park on Highway 3 in B.C. Easy walking connections to downtown Blairmore. Note: The landowners have been accommodating to Private Property hikers in the past, but this route can potentially be Livingstone Range Chert Quarries closed o at any time. Make sure you have permission before 10 Miner’s Path crossing into any private property. (1.0 km one way) 21 Trailhead: Flumerfelt Park in Coleman Crowsnest Ridge Drinking Water This path follows Nez Perce Creek for 1.0 km to (1.4 km from Phillipps Pass road to summit) Although most waters in the Crowsnest Pass Rainbow Falls. A side branch at the 0.4 km mark Trailhead: The route begins from the Phillipps Pass crosses the creek and leads steeply up stairs to the trail, approximately 0.5 km west of Phillipps Lake look pristine, they may be unt to drink. Do old McGillivray Mine site, which still has many The steep access road to the communications not depend on creeks, rivers or lakes for your remnants of a bygone coal mining era. It was Trail descriptions adapted from and distances taken tower on Crowsnest Ridge can be hiked from the water. Provide your own source of hydration. along this same path that miners would walk to from Hiking the Southern Rockies by Joey Ambrosi. Phillipps Pass road. There are very dramatic views work each day. Photos courtesy Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. down to Crowsnest Lake from the ridge. c 2008 Community Futures Crowsnest Pass