Nihahi Ridge - Matt's Group - Sun, Oct 30 2005

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Nihahi Ridge - Matt's Group (10/30/2005)

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You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Kananaskis Country

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Oct 30 2005 10:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Oct 28 2005 11:59 PM

Event Duration:

4 hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Rhonda S
Matthew G
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 13 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

14 (Log in to see who's signed up.)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Distance: 8.0km return
Elevation gain: 500m
"Nihahi" is a Stoney Indian word meaning "rock". Appropriately, the trail climbs from the Little Elbow Campground towards the official start of the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. From the parking lot at the Little Elbow Campground, follow the campground access road to the west, and after 1km, leave the campground behind as you make your way through a series of three metal gates. Follow the wide course of the Little Elbow Trail until km 1.5 and turn right, following an access trail to the Ford Creek Trail, which you meet at a T-intersection after just 0.1km. Turn left on this wide horse trail and then right onto the actual Nihahi Ridge Trail at another signed junction.

The Nihahi Ridge Trail leaves the Ford Creek Trail behind and winds through a lodgepole pine forest with an understory of buffaloberry, nodding onion and a few patches of one-sided wintergreen. The climbing starts immediately as the trail begins a section of switchbacks along the lower slopes of Nihahi Ridge. While you climb, the lodgepole pine forest shows plenty of evidence of its fiery genesis in the charred remains of old trees. The lodgepole pine uses the heat of forest fires to open its cones. This makes it one of the first trees to colonize these fire scarred locations.

Finally at km 2.3, the climbing levels out as you emerge atop a pleasant subalpine meadow. You can see the trail snake across the meadow toward the base of the summit ridge. Follow this path across the meadow, and enjoy the splash of colour provided by the spring and summer wildflowers that make this meadow home.

As you reach the far side of the meadow at km 2.7, you rapidly approach the base of the summit ridge. As you begin climbing, there is a cable railing placed at km 3.1 to help you pull your way up the slope. As you climb above the railing, you'll come across an unmarked junction. Both trails soon rejoin, so you can select either option. At this point, teh trail begins climbing straight along the edge of Nihahi Ridge. There are excellent views to the east towards the rolling foothill summits of Powderface and Forgetmenot Ridges. to the south and west, the valleys of the Big and Little Elbow Rivers stand beneath Mounts Glasgow and Cornwall, along with Banded Peak.

At km 3.6, you must scramble up a short cliff face. As you climb the final easier section of the trail, it mkaes its way to wards the base of a cliff at km 3.8. This is the end of the actual hike - the summit of Nihahi Ridge is still some 210m above you, but this will be our turnaround point.

Ref: Canmore and Kananaskis Best Hikes Best Activities, and GemTrek's Bragg Creek and Elbow Falls map.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- "Icers" Ice Cleats available from Lee Valley Tools

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take the Trans Canada Highway west from Calgary and turn South on 22 toward Bragg Creek. At the stop sign at Bragg Creek, turn left to stay on Highway 22. Turn west (right) onto Highway 66 and continue west for 29.0 km. Turn left into the access road for Little Elbow Recreation Area. Ignore the second left turn signed "Trailhead Parking" and continue down the road to find the "Trailhead Parking" further down on the right. ** Note that if the road is blocked off beyond the first "Trailhead Parking", we'll have to park there and walk down, which will add a total of about 3km to our hike, on a flat trail beside the river.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

160Km

Carpool Departure Time:

8:30 AM

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $48.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.30, effective Monday, April 15, 2024). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:

Voluntary Donations:

Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: