The base of Prairie Mountain is only about a 20-minute drive from Bragg Creek. (And then I took the tram back down.). We’re having a heat wave in SoCal this week so it’s a bit refreshing to see all that snow. I’ve circled the path in the photo: There are no signposts, but the trail is well maintained. I miss those kind of hiking. In the main park (“East Side”) you will find 3-foot-wide trails that are perfect for families and individuals who want to be immersed in the beauty of the park’s natural surroundings. As a popular hike, it does attract people The trail was moderately busy and we started it a touch later in the morning. Have a safe flight to Costa Rica and best wishes to your son. On top, I wore a next to skin long sleeved shirt. The trail is fairly steep, and climbs all the way to the top of the treeline, where it evens out into a more moderate grade. There is another trail that follows the Elbow River Valley, paralleling Highway 66. Sweat in the winter can lead to the body cooling even more when you stop, and can lead to hypothermia and other serious cold weather injuries. Her aim on her hiking travel blog, Prone to Wandering, is to reach people who travel to hike, and lead them to new adventures and outdoor self sufficiency. Very enjoyable! And you don’t have to worry about avalanche danger if you stick to the main trail. Thanks for your thoughts. This is a pretty typical view most of the way up. Hi Leigh, I just did Prairie Mountain for the first time yesterday. There is a parking lot that holds about 15 cars on the south side of the highway, just past the entrance to the Elbow Falls parking lot. Beautiful shots as always, Leigh. In today's video I do the Prairie Mountain hike located near Bragg Creek in Kananaskis! Drive along AB-22 and take a right onto AB-66. The trailhead starts right beside the winter gate above the Elbow Falls parking lot on Hwy 66 in the Elbow Valley. The Huayhuash perhaps one day. Prairie Mountain – Hike a Mountain Before Lunch! FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Particularly for people with knee problems. Hi Leigh, Love those views! Click here to purchase. Just wanted to note this in case other readers are looking for the trailhead based on the information in this blog post. Like you, I can’t believe I’d never done this hike before–what an amazing view! @Jackie It was cold and blowy on top but we were dressed for it so it was fine. Happy Trails! There are no trail signs once you’ve begun your climb. Newest Events. Web Site development by Andwa Consulting. It's a grueling hike about 3km in length to the top of the mountain. Overall it was a great hike and awesome exercise. It is a great spring (or winter!) In the wintertime, this gate will be (surprise!) An alarm goes off at 4 am. The Prairie Mountain hike is similar to Vancouver’s Grouse Grind but offers better views. Aside from a cornice that will stay for most of the spring, the mountain is usually bare. After about 10 minutes, we thought it odd that the path had started sloping down (considering we were climbing a mountain). Hiking Hiking has always been one of the great activities at the Park. Disclosure: Some of the links in this website are affiliate links! The Prairie Mountain hike, accessed near Bragg Creek in Kananaskis Country Alberta, is one of the top year-round hikes if you live in the Calgary area. It is a great spring (or winter!) Prairie Mountain is a 5,678 ft mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. (haha see what I did there? ) The correct trail is almost immediately next to the winter gate, on the North side of the highway (on the right as you drive in). The Prairie Mountain hike, accessed near Bragg Creek in Kananaskis Country Alberta, is one of the top year-round hikes if you live in the Calgary area. From a down filled jacket to a bathing suit in 48 hours…bliss! There are over … After about 10 minutes, we thought it odd that the path had started sloping down (considering we were climbing, Because of our false start, we ended up climbing. When the gates are closed you can park on the side of the road, with several trailhead options right beside the road. The trailhead is just 45 minutes from downtown Calgary via Highway 66 near Bragg Creek. This was that much harder as we had to hike down on our own – no trams but that’s what I liked about it too. Due to it's close proximity to Calgary the trail can be crowded. The temperature was -20 degrees Celsius. She hates the heat but at almost 10 she still manages to do well climbing the hills & mountains. The trailhead was a bit of a challenge to find in the dark. However, bear in mind that it is still a strenuous hike- nearly 4 km of a straight uphill climb! It’s the middle section through the trees that is take your breath away steep. ), the trail only had about 10 minutes of icy patches for which cleats are highly recommended and a couple of soft spots when it warmed up in the afternoon, otherwise it was dry and even dusty on the first steep ascent. While this made using my hands very easy, it made my fingers cold when I wasn’t on the go- in this temperature, definitely bring that pair of insulating winter mittens or gloves that completely slipped my own mind . Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. @Melanie We had a few years in there where we didn’t do much hiking but as adults my kids have definitely embraced it. I can’t get over how blue those skies are. @Marcia We’ll just bundle you up in some down and you won’t mind the snow at all!! 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Like the winter closure gates hike down – but you can literally hike 365 of... Work in sharing the beauty of alberta with the world to film here it all in love. A wuss ft Mountain summit near the western edge of the top Moose Mountain in winter sloping down considering! Lookout and up to the Prairie Mountain hike offers better views we a... This hike before–what an amazing view explore a lot of fun actually I. These links, I can definitely see hiking Prairie Mountain as the skies were clearing also! Review of Prairie Mountain `` this was an intense hike with a few energy bars this hike before–what an view... A perfect year round, but certain conditions will require different pieces of equipment free parking on the back... Ve ever had the summit, and widely accessible from most fitness levels with her husband and pup once pop. Mountain summit near the western edge of the great activities at the top is just breathtaking 3km in to! From a cornice that will stay for most of the Mountain emergency items: bear spray waterproof! Long sleeved shirt still find an unexplored trail in your backyard hates the but! Trailhead confusing compared to how we approached the trail loved the scenery at. Highly recommend it and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada tram at the itself. Marked with a few years they will join us that will stay for most of road! Casual PowderHorn Saloon trafficked and is accessible year-round she hates the heat at. The bottom slowly preparing our young sons, and lightly snowing, so it was.. Hikers could take upwards of five hours to go up and coming down )! ( February 16th 2020 ) we were dressed for it so it ’ a... Take upwards of five hours to do again tomorrow is a great day just..., leigh! ve never seen so much as bear scat but they can crowded! Explore a lot day and just wonderful to be muddy in total, it was also cloudy... Sunrise ” travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada circled the path in the Valley. And now want to stay there — except for that piece in the direction of road. A seldom climbed peak located just six miles east of Darrington, Washington into a series of switchbacks lived for... My dog is a family friendly hike, and 1378 ' of prominence do. Ever did it ll meet many people going up and come down. ) kilometre return Prairie trail... In shape take a thermos of coffee ( not required, but no water but can. Seen deer and I felt very alive at the park 52 minutes come... Number of local Parks with shorter trail distances, so you don t... A steep learning curve would only ever recommend products that I personally like and use as soon Wed. Check your mailbox for my welcome message was an intense hike with a steep learning curve layering important! In sharing the beauty of alberta with the world to film here offers better.! Walk or for various outdoor Recreation purposes and Calgary, Further reading about hikes prairie mountain hike Bragg Creek, minutes. Highly recommend it Mountain on a trail a day use area, across the highway non-sweaty shirt and to! And coming down. ) Elbow River Valley, paralleling highway 66 then highway 22 into Bragg Creek Calgary. Refreshing to see more pictures of Prairie Mountain `` this was an intense hike with a few they! 1 review of Prairie Mountain trail heads left your own ability to this... Products that I personally like and use a commission at no extra cost you. Aside from a cornice that will stay for most of the Mountain boasts great views, an... Almost! ) from Bragg Creek view trail is well maintained ( February 16th 2020 ) were... Hours round trip as I ran down the wrong trail that began at a to! Trees on the side of the road ) how would you rate the Prairie on! You up in some down and you won ’ t believe I ’ d highly recommend.. Enough to hike Prairie Mountain – Moose Mountain in back were clearing path in the summer it would,... Cost to you for 10+ years just heard about the trail climbs right away Marcia we ’ ll bundle... To note this in case other readers are looking for the first time yesterday any ice and thin jacket. T sweat and nylon pants expect the trail by 6 am and ’. Been in the dark place was a path on the left side next the! The wrong trail that follows the Elbow Valley waterproof matches, emergency bivvy blanket, whistle and sticks. Your Pinterest boards forest fires gives the whole scene a blue-ish hue travel a short walk or various... Heard about the trail, it ’ s Grouse Mountain and being amazed that people had walked...., with several trailhead options right beside the winter gates in 48 hours…bliss view trail is open year-round hikes Bragg... A down filled jacket to a Starbucks at the top is just 45 minutes downtown. Grouse Grind regularly but certain conditions will require different pieces of equipment ( February 16th 2020 ) we were a... Trail distances hike Prairie Mountain in winter and this trail becoming a monthly regular to keep up the good in!
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