Snowshoe
Rosemary asked the question…
We are a friendly & respectful group of snowshoers that would like to get out as well. In particular we would like to snowshoe 10 to 15 kms on trails dedicated or not because we really are nice people who stay to the side and yield to all xc skiers. Planning trip around New Years and we’d like to try West Bragg Creek be it Snowshoe Hare, Moose Loop, or whereever. What are your suggestions?
Alf Skrastins responded…
Rosemary, the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association has just spent the whole summer constructing over 30 km of new trails. These trails are designed for summer hiking and mountain biking, but many of them are also great snowshoe trails. These trails are laid out in such a way that they do not conflict with the existing XC ski trails and generally offer better views from meadows and ridge-tops than the XC trails do. It is easy to put together loops of 10 to 15km.
You can get maps at: http://www.braggcreekski.org/GBCTA_Ski/Trail_Maps.html
A couple more options in the area to consider are:
-Hwy #66 beyond Elbow Falls, up to Rainy Summit Pass and the Mustang Hills.
-The Powderface Creek-Prairie Link-Prairie Creek Loop, also from Elbow Falls.
-The Eagle Hill trail in the Sibbald Lake area
-There are several designated snowshoe trails in the Ribbon Creek area and the Evan-Thomas Creek trail is also a good snowshoe trail
-There are several designated snowshoe trails in the Kananaskis Lakes and Spray/Smith-Dorrien Valleys, including a network of loops between the Chester Lake and Sawmill trailheads.
Hope that helps!
RichieRich responded…
Mutual respect on the trails is essential and appreciated, and so easy to do. With more families out on the trails, us adults really need to show the younger generations how respect works.
Although I have yet to snow shoe here, I’ve heard good things about West Bragg and will be heading there w/ family this holiday season.
Seems to be a popular destination for Calgarians. Here’s a link to check out:
http://www.braggcreek.ca/kananaskis/snowshoe.htm
This 2nd link also talks about some ‘shoeing ideas if you look through the past couple years of entries: http://kananaskisblog.com/snowshoe-hare/2010/ Having mountain biked some of the new West Bragg trails, I’m 100% certain some of the shorter loops would make exceptional snowshoe routes too.
Bob – would you please consider adding a “snowshoe” section to the “Trip Reports”?
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Did Snowshoe Hare loop at West Bragg today as I took my wife out on her first snowshoeing experience. I am normally a high elevation mountain snowshoer so taking the wife where I usually go for her first trip would not be a good idea. The area is in desperate need of some snow as it is still bare in spots and there are numerous exposed stumps and rocks, but nothing that can’t be handled. I agree completely with one other poster a while back that the area lacks sufficient trail signage for snowshoers in terms of getting on the multi use trail. I made a tactical error thinking I was on this trail ( after doing the loop). Obviously I missed the sign. Long story short, we ended up on a ski trail. So we stayed where we saw where some people had hiked between the packed ski tracks as to not disturb them. These things happen. The parking lot was packed as to be expected given the gorgeous weather. All in all, a great day was had and my wife enjoyed the experience.
If anyone has any end of season comments on new Sawmill snowshoe trails (what worked, what didn’t, general or specific comments on suitability and desireability of these trails. What 2 or 3 things would really make it better? We will be checking in with parks trail staff and passing on our recommendations/suggestions soon. Tx!
Kananaskis Winter Trails working group.
On March 14 rather than take the official trail to Boom Lake which is through trees, we tried the more open route via Boom Creek. Much of the ascent & route in had already been snowshoe packed, so it was easy to get to Boom Lake for lunch. For the return some of us tried sticking closer to the creek in the deep off-trail powder.
FINALLY… I get to do a snowshoe report on Chester Lake, which is probably one of the most scenic and stunning valleys to shoe up. Got to the parking lot as vehicle #2 of the morning after busting through the snowbank-wall at the entrance (thanks to AWD + winter tires on the SUV). One of the great things about Chester is the relative low avalanche risk in general (certainly if staying on the designated route). Off-route there are a few smallish areas to be aware of.
Found 10-15cm fresh stuff from overnight on top of this past weeks monster dumps + hardly anyone using the snowshoe trail so it was breaking a little trail all the way up. Fresh winter-wonderland, brilliant blue clear skys, crispy at about -14C but perfect for the big climb. Lost the snowshoe symbols (buried) and prior tracks at about first meadow so set off breaking full trail up another cute winding valley up to Chester. If anyone knows the toilet there… it’s usually way up high on stilts – snow is so high that the door couldn’t be opened!! Saw a few skiers off on the side and set after them and eventually found them lunching in sunshine on top of the Elephant Rocks. (about 10-15mins up the trail from Chester). My 2 buddies and I pretty much jumped and crashed off every big launch-pad up there with drops ranging from 4′ to about 12′ high! So much snow and such soft landings. My 1 friend did a few front flips off some jumps. After some nutella-n-strawberry wraps it was down-time so synched (sp?) all openings close and then we booted straight down the hill finding the steepest sections (ie not following our trail up). Talk about a workout! try sprinting in knee-deep water and you’ll understand! Using DH ski poles is highly recommended for extra balance when off trail. By Chester Lake we finally started seeing signs of other people and started passing a number of groups who were headed up. After the last top meadow we again deviated off the designated trail and ran down the steep-n-deeps with much delight, joy, breathlessness, and whoops as snow dumped down our backs. We finished in about 3.5hrs of moving time, very tired, very wet, but very happy at what proved to be one of the best outdoor mountain experiences I’ve had in the last couple of years!
Such reports incline me to reconsider Chester Lake as a snowshoe destination. Clearly it can be made new again!
The beauty of snowshoeing is that as long as you are suitably prepared, know the area/risks, and have the time/fitness, then it’s easy to go off-the-beaten-track.
As a side note… the 3 of us on the above trip are not “kids” anymore and range in age from almost-40 to mid-40′s, each married, have kids, and work as professionals in Calgary – yet we were all comfortable in the Chester area being silly and enjoying life for what it has to offer. Live for the present, enjoy life, don’t worry be happy.
Snowshoed Spray River loop trail yesterday, March 7, 2012. With all the new snow it was beautiful with soft snow between the cross country tracks (which we tried to avoid snowshoeing on). The west side has a wide space between the double tracksetting but the east side is a little narrower making avoiding the tracks more difficult. The total length of the trip was about 12 kms from the lot near the Banff Springs returning to the parking lot at Bow Falls.
All in all it was a great day with the trees hanging low with snowcover, the sunshine, the warm day and the comradery (sp) of friends.
As a fellow snowshoer, Gail, I’d request that you consider snowshoeing only on snowshoe trails (or off-trail) rather than on trails that have been trackset for XC skiers. There are so many other, more interesting places to snowshoe. BTW, often the wide space between double tracks is for skate skiers so that they are less likely to damage the tracksetting.
Saturday March 3 2012
Snowshoed the third annual race at Mt. Norquay. I did the 10 km race and there was a 5 km option as well. About 80 brave souls took part in what can be described as the best cardio you will experience. We experienced steep hills, groomed trails, powder better described as running through quicksand. This event is one of the raced put on by Blitz and they may increase it to s 3 race series next year. Great snow conditions, good swag, lots of giveaways, and loads of fun.
I did the snowshoe loop at West Bragg Creek park on 3/3/12. There were several bare spots – grassy and or muddy due to the warm day. Thankfully the mud is not sticky clay mud, but pine needle sandy mud. Other than these spots the trail was really quite nice.
Our group did the Showshoe Hare Loop Feb 25th, I missed this trip but they told me trail was in good shape. Not sure which trail was done on Mar3rd above.
The 5.3k loop that is pink on the trail maps. It is the one marked with the snow shoe signs. I don’t know if it has another name other than the snowshoe loop! I realize you can snow shoe on several of the other trails… but this is the one on the north side of the parking lot. I hope that helps.
Courtney
Feb 18, 2012
Our group of nine ventured out to Lower Stoney Squaw Trail at Mt. Norquay in preparation for the Blitz Snowshoe Race at Mt. Norquay on March 3, 2012. Check out the website if interested in racing, loads of fun running in snowshoes.
The race is 5 kms or 10 kms. We wanted to preview the 10 kms course but it isn’t officially setup yet. Lower Stoney Squaw Trail starts off at the Cascade Lodge, just head past the lodge and signs take you quickly up what Parks calls Stoney Squaw Loop. The first climb is a slog but that’s as tough as it gets. The loop turned out to be short (2 kms or less) so we travelled off the groomed trail heading north and followed a single track trail that eventually leads you to the #1 Highway. However we stopped before reaching that destination and found a hilltop that allowed us to overlook Banff and Mt. Rundle. Beautiful views and great spot. The trail won’t allow for passing others should the course go that route. That should be interesting. Get out front if you want to stay away from the crowd. Snow conditions were perfect, you are well sheltered in the trees but occasionally you get north views to Mt. Cascade. Trail was packed, no signage whatsoever so have your map/gps if concerned but you don’t need to be, just do an out and back.
Stayed in beautiful Field this weekend to do some snowshoeing and x-country skiing. We decided to check out Sherbrooke lake which starts from just behind the Great Divide Hotel (was previously the West Louise). If you only have a few hours try this one. It’s 3.6km to the lake and we only saw one other group. Snow was awesome and it was a blue sky day. This one was recommended by a woman working at the Field Parks office.
Still waiting for some good deep local snow around West Bragg to take the kids out. Last weekend I did the Nakoda Heli tour incl. snowshoe stop at Broken Leg Lake… only thing broken out there was a few cracks in the ice and the snow-making machine. Wasn’t enough snow for ‘shoein’ even, so ended up being a pleasant hike on the lake. Great Heli ride though around Barrier area, Yumnuska area, and back down to Nakoda after a few fun twists & turns courtesy of our pilot! (upon request of course)
Tried a different approach to the summit of Blueberry Hill on Feb. 4. On advice from staff member at Peter Lougheed Visitor Ctr. (& “Blueberry Joe”) we started from Upper Lake parking & headed SE through trees that soon became more open. The climb was soon too. Could get views as we climbed – the trees were sufficiently spaced for viewing as well as climbing &, of course, for the sliding descent after a sunny lunch on top.
Any chance you saved a gpx file for this route? I was at the Upper Kan parking lot last week doing Rawson Lake (we had about 6 cars). I didn’t see you but maybe you were parked away from the lake behind the ten foot snow bank. Your trip sounds interesting. I love that area. Would you say there’s a trail or were you bushwacking? thank you
No trail, Rosemary, but little bushwacking either because the forest is mostly open.
Don I will get back to you with feedback after our trip Saturday. We are doing Chester, James Walker, Sawmill and north on Smith Dorien.
To get on to Lower Chester Loop that will take us to Mt Murray Viewpoint do we start Chester Lake trail and go right at Y?Thanks
Feb 3 (trip Jan 28th)I’m late in getting this report done. After reading that a group was unable to get through on the James Walker trail due to deep snow (not packed) and we were down to 5 snowshoers of which 3 were new to trail breaking I made the decision to go from Chester to Sawmill skipping James Walker which by the way would have been about 17 kms (on the newly designated snowshoeing trail). We headed south on the shared trail (at first we went the wrong way because we saw cross country ski tracks – not set tracks – and thought we got on the wrong trail but it was the right one. About 1 1/2 kms south of Chester parking lot we found the snowshoe sign separating us from x country skiers. The only problem was it hadn’t been used for some time and then there was no evidence of anyone using the trail at all. We started breaking trail sometimes above our knees. As we made our way south and got past the wind swept ridge running south near the Smith Dorien we hit even deeper snow. However we pushed on until the group was exhausted and we too were forced back. The distance to Sawmill is closer to 7 kms ie 14 kms return. We probably made it to about 5.5 kms south on the trail. I hope others enjoy all the trail breaking we did and perhaps some came from Sawmill and now it is a bit easier.
Just wondering how you felt the “signage” was at the junction of the Chester Lake trail and the new Lower Chester trail?
Our group headed directly south of the parking lot – right near the entrance – so up and over a snow bank. Why? There were so many heading up to Chester Lake and only our group was doing Chester to Sawmill so we saw no point in going up behind the toilets & big sign. Because of our direction we didn’t see any signage at the start. We caught up with the official trail in about 50 to 100 feet so no problem. It seemed like a better route especially when busy. May be we missed something I’m not aware of. We were left us not knowing if we were on the right trail. We didn’t see any signs for the first 1 1/2 kms approx. which then told us to turn right on to the Snowshoe Trail. That sign was very well marked.
I should add that when we returned to the parking lot we were asked by four groups where we had come from because they didn’t know about the new snowshoe trails. Also a group said they got lost and ended up doing the Lower Chester Loop. They weren’t too pleased because they wanted to do Chester Lake. I’m not sure what’s wrong but there is confusion obviously.
“I am working with a few other snowshoe volunteers in Calgary area and KC parks staff to encourage feedback comments on new snowshoe trails at Sawmill. Any observations on use level (cars in parking lots at Sawmill or Chester or on the trails) especially on weekend days, signage, trail layout or any other aspects of these trails are welcome. I will monitor this site and pass on comments as appropriate to KC trails staff. For example, we know that many folks who are currently heading for the Chester Lake snowshoe trail are being diverted onto the Sawmill trails instead. We are working with KC to fix this problem. All comments will be considered at season end to help formulate recommendations to KC to make this area even better for snowshoeing in future. For example, there has been some talk of a possible warming hut at Sawmill…. . Thanks to Bob and all who respond!”
Our group of 11 did Sawmill Loop today. We saw another large group of young men maybe 15 doing this snowshoe trip as well. We almost headed north of Sawmill Loop because it was a great day and the loop is a bit short. I had beginners with us so we stayed with the loop. Fantastic packed trail, excellent signage best I have ever seen. We could see people had headed north up James Walker and as well I assume at the top of the loop to the left it meets up with the Chester trail (I didn’t look at posted map). It was also being used which would have been nice for us few weeks ago when we came down from Chester and broke trail for most of the way. We didn’t get to Sawmill, too exhausting.
Second attempt, last comments just disappeared while typing.
I am taking a snowshoe group Saturday from Chester Sawmill James Walker trails. Based decision on Kananaskis Blog website announcing newly signed dedicated snowshoe trails called Smith Dorien, Sawmill and James Walker. Now in route planning I like to get elevation gains and possible trail breaking done early in the day. So I think we should now go from Chester to the Mt Murray viewpoint, south on James Walkerto Sawmill and down counterclock wise to that trailhead, break for lunch and then head north on the Smith Dorien trail. Anyone done this and if so any comments. Thanks
9 of us snowshoed a loop along the recently designated between Chester & Sawmill. Apparently there needs to be some improvement in signage along the route, particularly to indicate to snowshoers wanting to do the Chester Lake route that they need to go left at the y-junction above the Chester parking area. The map at the junction showed that but. . . Lots of views towards & returning from the lookout, easy grades except for the one from the N leading up to the lookout.
I agree with the comment of “tweaking” the new signage, but you need to be careful with your description, I think. Implying that “shoers” looking for the Chester Lake route need to go left at the Y-junction above the parking lot, could result in people going up the ski trail, as that is the “left” at the y-junction above the parking lot. Where snowshoers are getting confused, I think, is at the y-junction farther up the snowshoe trail that (I think) is lacking any signage at all, but is the crucial junction between Chester Lake trail (the left fork) and the Lower Chester trail (which is the right fork). We also met a number of people who were very unsure of where they actually were, and after showing them our map found they were on the wrong trail. A good reminder to everyone to carry some kind of map or route knowledge if doing a “new” route.
Lots of fun doing our off-trail descent from Blueberry Hill on Wed. Jan. 11. Snow so deep, welcoming each foot plant.
Despite a recent dump out in PLPP, not too many snowshoeing reports for Chester Lake – anyone know of conditions? I’ve given up on taking the kids out to West Bragg until they get at least 20+cms of fresh pow.
As of Dec. 26, conditions were great! See http://mattclay.zenfolio.com/chester_lake_snowshoe_5. Last Monday, the adjacent valley (Rummel Lake, album also on website) had about 3-4 of snow, and with the snow the past day or so I’d say it’s probably pretty spectacular!
We showshoed around the Elkwood Loop in PLPP today. The trail is in decent snowshoeing condition – sufficient coverage everywhere, and it is already well established. There were plenty of animal tracks in the woods (lynx, marten, snowshoe hare, jack rabbit, deer), and the weather was a comfortable -4 C.
Like the addition of the snowshoe section. I both ski and snowshoe and sometimes make my decision about which to do based on trail reports and the temperature. I don’t like skiing nearly as much when the snow sticks to the bottom of my skis.
Any info. about snowshoe trails is welcome. Also any trail etiquette tips are welcome. We all share some of the trails and hopefully one group (walkers, snowshoers, skiers, dogs) does not ruin it for the next group.