ESSO Annuitant Hiking Club

Trail name(s):

Nihahi Ridge: A1, A2, B1, B2 Option; Ford Knoll Loop: B2, C

Hike Date:

September 8, 2016

Trail Planner:

Ken Johnson

References:

Kananaskis Trail Guide Vol 2, 4th Edition; Trail Write-up 2014-06-05 Bob Desruisseaux

Trail Access:

Little Elbow Rec Area off Highway 66

A1 / A2 / B1 Small Parking Area Before Loop C Camping Area

B2 / C Forgetmenot Pond Parking Area

Washrooms:

Close to Parking Areas

 

 Hike Summary

A1

A2

B1

B2 Option

B2 / C

Total Distance (km.)

12.4

10.4

9.8

8.0

5.6

Cum Elevation Gain (m)

770

750

650

410

270

Equiv. Flat Distance (km.)

20.1

17.9

16.3

12.1

8.3

Difficulty Rating

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Moderate

Easy / Moderate

 

 

 Group

Km.

Elev.(m)

Route Description

A1 / A2 / B1 / B2

0 

1615 

Small Parking Area Before Loop C Camping Area (about 0.5 km south of camping office), follow Little Elbow Campground access road / Little Elbow Trail southwest passing through campground. Continue through a gate onto to a wide fire road.

 

 1.5

1650

 Look for a Nihahi Ridge trail sign on the right and follow trail.

1.8

1660

Turn left at T-junction.

2.5

1800

Pass through meadow before turning west and ascending a steep slope bordered by a hand rail.

 

4.0

2000

Enter an orange rock zone. Good spot for B2s to stop and have lunch before retracing steps back to trailhead. Numerous paths to continue on, take the furthest one on the left.

4.9

2240

Scramble up a sometimes damp 4 m high diagonal crack. Only proceed if you are comfortable with scrambling up and down this crack. Some B1s will stop here and return to orange zone for lunch before retracing steps back to trailhead. Other B1s will scramble up crack and have lunch slightly above crack before retracing steps back to trailhead.

 

5.2

2340

Scramble up a notch for a view of the other side of the ridge. Only proceed if you are comfortable with scrambling up and down this notch. Most A2s will stop either below or above this notch before returning to just before the diagonal crack for lunch and then retracing steps back to trailhead. Some As will continue along ridge as time and comfort level allows.

6.2

2360

South summit. Retrace steps back to trailhead.

12.4

1615

Trailhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 Group

Km.

Elev.(m)

Route Description

B2 / C 

0 

1610

From Forgetmenot Pond Parking Area,find path that leads to crosswalk across camp area access road and leads to a zig zag cattle fence. then cross cattle fence and then turn right (east) on Ford Knoll Loop trail.

 

0.2

1610

Pass through cattle fence and turn right (north east) on Ford Knoll Loop Trail.

 

0.5

1615

Junction with Powderface Ridge Trail. Turn left and continue to follow Ford Knoll Loop trail.

1.1

1700

Trail turns left.

2.0

1820

4 – Way junction with misleading sign. Go right, this trail has some branches laid across it but provides some great views to the valley below.

 

2.2

1840

3 – Way junction. Go right for another view point.

2.3

1840

View point. Retrace steps back to 3 – Way junction.

 

2.4

1840

3 – Way junction. Turn right, look for flagging and trail sign.

2.6

1820

Back to 4 – Way junction with misleading sign. Go right to start descent to trailhead.

3.8

1700

Junction with Ford Creek Trail. Continue on Ford Knoll Trail.

 

4.2

1660

Junction with unnamed trail (look for flagging) turn left.

 

4.8

1630

Y junction, turn left.

 

5.6

1610

Trailhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Prepared by:

Bob Desruisseaux

Preparation Date:

April 15, 2014

Edited by:

Deyells; Johnsons; Merk

Edit Date:

August 21, 2016