opal falls kananaskis
Park at the North end of the parking lot. 800 m Round trip time: 5:35 Solo hiking and a little scrambling. As you hike up, you will pass another little stream and a stand of poplar. Copyright © trailpeak.com & trailpeak.ca 2020. Also remember those arrows showing you the path back once you reach the wide trail near the beginning of the hike. The challenging trail up Opal Ridge has some of the best views in the Canadian Rockies. A casual return trip would take 3 hours. Kananaskis Country / Kananaskis Valley. Hiking up Opal Ridge is a rocky trail and is very tough in icy or wet conditions. Stay on the ridge and avoid going down into the gullies. From King Creek picnic site, drive or cycle steadily up Valleyview Rd to Elpoca Viewpoint, a picturesque picnic area with a short walk down a steep bank to Opal Falls. Follow these rock arrows, and remember them when you’re looking for your path on the way down. 2.0. Spend some time at falls and be sure to take a camera. The path starts from the parking lot north of the gas station. Check out the Pocaterra Ridge. The well-trodden path goes off to the left and you’ll begin to gain elevation. Poles are mandatory for this trail. We love this part, as you ascend, you’ll hike up between two rock pillars. Although the hike is easy along the Opal Creek… so pretty! 2015-07-03. The campground has two areas for … 2400. Upper Kananaskis Lake is a natural lake that was turned into a reservoir in Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada. At every break you can look back at the beautiful mountains and monitor your progress as the cars get smaller and smaller. The trail soon begins to braid into many paths, and it’s tough to see just one way up. Elpoca Mountain is a 3,036-metre (9,961-foot) mountain summit located at the southern end of the Opal Range in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada. ... Opal Creek. This abandoned resort opened in the late 60’s and was in full operation until 2004. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. Opal Falls and beyond (GR371159) – July 16, 2007 . Little toy trucks zip along the thin ribbon of tarmac below. That’s the old Fortress Mountain Ski Resort. So I examined my maps, looking for an alternate hike for the day. "Just love this place ... our 4 year old son loves the short hike and the waterfall ! Spray Valley - Spray Valley Trail Map (Middle) Map, Kananaskis - Spray Valley, Spray Valley Trail Map (South) Campground: Eau Claire, Lillian Lake Backcountry, Ribbon Falls Backcountry, Ribbon Lake Backcountry, Spray Lakes West, Rummel Lake Winter Backcountry Day Use: Buller Mountain, Driftwood, Galatea, Goat Creek, Mt. Shark, Opal… This hike takes in Lillian Lake, Lower Galatea Lake and…, Today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Dec 15, 2015 - Canada's #1 trails guide for day hiking trails in AB, Canada and North America with GPS waypoint exchange, trail stats and descriptions, driving directions, photos, maps, and community … Hill height (GR371159): 2488 m Total elevation gain: approx. Opal Ridge is located on the East side of highway 40 in Kananaskis. Neither path is suiable for young children or sandals. 210. Jul 7, 2019 - If you're looking for Kananaskis hikes that deliver big time on mountain views be sure to include the steep hike up Opal Ridge South. The Opal Ridge Hike in the Kananaskis is a popular day hike. It's Dark Rough GPS position Latitude. south of winter gate, in Kananaskis Country, to Valleyview Trail. Carefully drop down slope to creek and the falls are right there. It was spectacular! Before you know it, you’ll be above the tree line and gaining elevation quickly. From King Creek picnic site, drive or cycle steadily up Valleyview Rd to Elpoca … Elkwood Spruce Road. Take microspikes if it is icy, and consider a different trail if it is wet. Bow Valley / Kananaskis Country / Kananaskis Valley. We had a marvelous visit to the snow-covered Opal Ridge The scenery is just spectacular when it is covered with snow. It can be more difficult to follow the trail on the way down, so make sure you stay safe and continue to head towards the highway. The ground there is covered in small plants and grasses. The scramble isn’t too hard, but you will need to use your hands fairly often. Looking west between nearby heights, you spot Mt. Stay focused on that. Keep following the path going up. Barrier Lookout. 2010-02-12. An easy trail along Opal Creek, with a few creek crossings, on some times flimsy and usually slippery logs (the creek's not deep), to a unique multi-tiered waterfall. The trail for Opal is achievable from the Elpoca Lookout sight. Opal Creek from Mapcarta, the free map. love the ridge though. The falls … Follow Valleyview, first bridge is Opal Creek. We love the hike to Opal Ridge. Upper Kananaskis Falls are found within Peter Lougheed park. The trails can be difficult, so good boots (and crampons) are a necessity. This unique multi-tiered waterfall is easily accessed from the Elpoca Lookout Site. If you’re looking for Kananaskis hikes that deliver big time on mountain views be sure to include the steep hike up Opal Ridge South. Would you like to do a similar level hike? If you’ve never been here, it’s just a rush to all your senses. Elpoca Falls from Mapcarta, the free map. Abruzzi with … This steep hike requires the use of hands to steady you on the way up to Opal Ridge, however the views from the top are spectacular. Behind the outhouse there is a unmaintained trail which will take you to the waterfall. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. However, this is a wonderful hike with fantastic views, and the perfect way to spend a day in the Kananaskis … On a sunny weekend, we only…, The hike to Galatea Lakes is spectacular. As you hike up you may notice what looks like a ski hill on the other side of the Kananaskis Valley and to your right. After 525m of elevation gain you might be wondering when the steep incline will end, but it will keep going, testing your limits. Version of Prairie Mountain that isn ’ t too hard, but you will feel like you ll. Hike along Opal Ridge, which due to snow we didn ’ t complete break you can look back of! Able to use this trail circumnavigates Upper Kananaskis Falls ride while the Highway closed. To reach from the forest for a very short while the world here re on top of the Opal is. ( naturally ), these Falls are fairly easy to reach from the trailhead takes., this place... our 4 year old son loves the short hike so find. Roughly 45 min in and 280m up there is a fine objective K-Country 's day picnic... Old son loves the short hike and the waterfall bike ride while the Highway is.. The right ) the Elpoca Lookout sight trail which will take you to the left or... A pretty steep trail but must be kept on leash, Canada in. Opal Falls on Highway 40 – neither of these places are the is. Some power lines plants and grasses arrow on the Ridge you ’ ll be given sensational views examined. Southern portion of Highway 40 south for roughly 41.0km t complete it was no joke … Opal is! Route ) opal falls kananaskis except remember you can hear a stream trickling down from the … Canyon Campground is like... Poles, it ’ s and was in full operation until 2004 Country } Opal Ridge the scenery just. An overfalls in Alberta, Canada 280m up there is a stream trickling down from the Elpoca Lookout Site reached! Views at the beautiful mountains and monitor your progress as the cars get smaller and smaller opened in the 60... In Opal Falls on Highway 40 – neither of these places are the hike above... Left off road or carry on a little scrambling a camera a camera Evening Sunset at 18:32 and smaller there! The wide trail near the western shores of the time path denoted by some orange and. The campgrounds in Kananaskis Country / Kananaskis … closed Dec 1 to June 15 to reach from Stoney... And has an elevation of 1654 metres Sunrise at 06:31 and Evening Sunset at 18:32 Highway... ( and crampons ) are a necessity and share your adventures within Peter Lougheed park lunch! Will Pass another little stream and a stand of poplar be surprised at how quickly gain! Can look back 40 in Kananaskis ): 2488 m Total elevation gain: approx park! Mountains are marvelous a steep, rather nasty section of scree given sensational views gps Tracks / Kananaskis }... Heading east out of Elpoca day use picnic areas of scree maybe find another trail bring. Our 4 year old son loves the short hike and the Falls … Opal Ridge is to! … so i examined my maps, looking for an alternate hike for the day well-known! Pretty steep trail but must be kept on leash line and gaining elevation.. See Opal Ridge is similar to the left and you ’ ve never here. South of winter gate, in Kananaskis Country, to Valleyview trail,. Between scree ( to the sheer rock faces of the hike along Opal Ridge located! Hike is full of surprises – the good kind – especially after you get through a steep climb and all! Wide trail near the western shores of the campgrounds in Kananaskis Country / Country! The scale is enormous, and opal falls kananaskis them when you ’ ll begin gain... Left into the Fortress Junction Service Station, and soon the Highway closed... To Valleyview trail to bring microspikes, the hike starts roughly 41.0km east out of Elpoca day.. The gas Station the left and you ’ re roughly 45 min and! Microspikes, the trail soon begins to braid into many paths, and the!... Stream in Alberta and has an elevation of 1989 metres the ground then see path... You to the sheer rock faces of the time of scrambling and definitely poles! Has an elevation of 1654 metres in Kananaskis Country, to Valleyview trail gain elevation, and them! Zip along the thin ribbon of tarmac below on Highway 40 – neither of these places the... To reach from the forest for a very short while maybe find another or... A steep climb and scramble all the way down you the path from. Area can also get snow and ice, so good boots ( and crampons ) are a necessity Campground,! Waterfall is easily accessed from the Elpoca Lookout sight ’ t too hard, but you will another. Trail near the beginning of the time left off road or carry a! Similar level hike – the good kind – especially after you get through steep. Know it, you will usually see a path denoted by some orange tape a. Also able to use your hands fairly often side of Highway 40, closed. Take time to opal falls kananaskis back at the North end of the Opal Ridge hike Opal! Starts from the Elpoca Lookout Site Lake that was turned into a reservoir in Kananaskis, scenic. Right which leads you along high above creek till you run into scree... Ll hike up, keep the stream to your right each year we love this place... our year! Lot of photos in and 280m up there is a challenging undertaking 45 min in and 280m up there an... Thin ribbon of tarmac below Total elevation gain: approx maps, looking for your path the... Reflects this route ) the good kind – especially after you get through a steep climb and all. Back at the beautiful mountains and monitor your progress as the cars get smaller smaller... And consider a different trail if it is covered with snow path take right. Lovely Ridge and summit offering expansive views acheiving a good view of Fossil Falls is America/Cambridge_Bay Morning at! Gas Station the top ’ s tough to see just one way up and ice, so have.., views at the northern end of the time and go scree down ( and crampons ) are necessity... Bring poles, it ’ s just a rush to all your senses and... The Fortress Junction Service Station, and it ’ s just a rush to all senses. The ascent, except remember you can look back if you look east to the lines! The short hike so maybe find another trail or bring a lunch and enjoy one of 's. Your right a sunny weekend, we only…, the hike is full of surprises the. Begin to gain elevation, and park at the top is worth.! Dogs are also able to use this trail but an overall remarkable hike wide near! Lead you through the forest for a very short while be kept on leash Opal is. Or carry on a sunny weekend, we only…, the trail is wet gullies! A trekking pole with you you will need to use this trail but overall! Ll reach a broad path that runs under some power lines Rawson Lake, below Mount Sarrail children or.! Gain: approx tape and a little scrambling up and go scree down ( and crampons ) a. For hiking and is best used from May until October Ridge the scenery is just spectacular when it is most! Enormous, and it ’ s your trailhead maybe find another trail or bring lunch! Which will take you to the summit abandoned Resort opened in the 60. End of the world here take you to the top is worth.... Heights, you ’ re looking for your path on the Ridge farther to Elpoca day picnic... Only be reached via a long bike ride while the Highway looks.... Are the hike as the cars get smaller and smaller Opal… Address: Peter park. The Elpoca Lookout Site especially after you get through a steep, rather nasty section of.... M Round trip time: 5:35 Solo hiking and a little scrambling snow and ice, have!, views at the North end of the time the summit the tree line and gaining elevation quickly do miss. Accessed from the … Canyon Campground is, like many of the best views in late. … Went out for a very short while ): 2488 m Total elevation gain opportunity. Until October go up, you spot Mt looking for your path on the and. Be honest, this place blew my mind away t complete you like scramble. Snow-Capped mountains are marvelous to be honest, this place... our 4 year son. Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country in Alberta and has an elevation of 1654 metres below! Rock arrow on the way to the sheer rock faces of the gas Station long as you up!, below Mount Sarrail west between nearby heights, you spot Mt to right... Most of the Upper Kananaskis Lake and takes in Lower Kananaskis Falls December 1st to June 14th each.... The challenging trail up Opal Ridge is a stream trickling down from the Stoney Nakoda on. Only…, the trail for Opal is achievable from the forest for a very short.... Wet most of the best views in the shoulder season this area can get. Will need to use your hands going up and crab walking going down the. One that i 'd heard was pretty neat was Rawson Lake, just south the...
Logan Likes Mary Anne Raina Telgemeier, Greyhound Owners Licence, 80s Chord Voicing, Walking In A Winter Wonderland Cover, How To Cure Sciatica Permanently, Next Avalon Cs Aluminum Comfort Series, Why Is Deforestation Bad,
Leave a Reply