Nihahi Ridge - Sat, Jul 28 2018

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Nihahi Ridge (7/28/2018)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.You will then make your payment for this event at the venue, NOT in advance to the COC.

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:

Little Elbow Campground, South K-Country

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Jul 28 2018 10:30 AM (Carpool Departure: 8:30 AM *log in for location*)

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Jul 27 2018 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

allow 6 hours (including travel)

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Len M.
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

$3.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members & Guests, 18 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests:

Minimum Group Size:

Maximum No. Guests Per Member:

Number Registered So Far:

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

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Distance: 9km return
Elevation Gain: 500m
Pace: Relaxed but Moderate - NOT suitable for beginners or speedy hikers

THIS IS A CARPOOL ONLY EVENT! IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE YOU MUST DEPART WITH THE GROUP FROM THE DESIGNATED CARPOOL LOCATION.

"Nihahi" is a Stoney Indian word meaning "rock". 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. 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, the 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 makes its way towards 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.

Required Items to Bring:
- Proper Hiking Boots/Shoes
- Water
- Lunch/snacks
- Appropriate hiking wear

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters/Icers
- Bear spray and/or air horn and/or whistle
- Personal first aid kit
- Camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Follow Hwy 22x west, go past the turn off to Bragg Creek, after the turn off continue on Hwy 66 (same road). Continue west for 29 km and turn left into the access road for Little Elbow Recreation Area. Turn and park at a large parking lot on the left (signed "Trailhead Parking").

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 Friday, April 19, 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:

Member Cost:

$3.00/Person

Cost Includes:

$3.00 cost applies to Regular Members and Guests only and does not apply to Premier Members. Coordinator will collect your $3.00 when we meet at the Carpool.

Make a Payment:

Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the COC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: