Prairie Creek – Powderface Creek Loop

The Prairie Creek – Powderface Creek Loop is a time-honoured hike in Kananaskis that can be done pretty much any time of the year. Taking in two roughly-parallel valleys, there’s a hop up and over a low wooded bump that separates the two (via Prairie Link) just beyond the half way point. Rarely out of the trees, every now and then there’s a spot where they thin that affords you views of surrounding hills and that big Alberta sky. You know, to keep things interesting.

While ordinarily busy, on our late winter (or was that early spring?) visit things were pretty quiet, even if the large number of cars in the parking area initially suggested it would be otherwise. But then again, there’s lots of trails in the area and other attractions so I guess everyone was well spread out. Even so, you can see in the well trodden snow, where it accumulated in sheltered areas, that it’s a popular route. We encountered a little ice in places, so come suitably prepared if you’re likewise doing it during the colder months.

There’s two starting points depending on the time of year. you can park close to the trailhead just west of Elbow Falls along Highway #66, but in the colder off-season you have walk in from the winter gate a little to the east. It’s not a big difference distance wise.

Nothing’s stopping you from doing this loop clockwise, and we’ve done that many times too, but tend to prefer this direction for some reason.

Prairie Creek and Powderface Creek Trails, along with Prairie Link that tie them together, are signed/marked and get some maintenance (fallen trees removed, that kind of stuff). You’ll find maps at official junctions.

Walk down the highway a bit. At a culvert, come to Prairie Creek and drop down on the well worn path. Soon after the bridge you’ll head up – it’s a bit of a push but nothing too much. Levelling off you’re well above the creek now with the trail at its narrowest. A big rock outcrop is one of the best viewpoints of the day. Look west and take in Vents Ridge (Vents Ridge/White Buddha in some docs) – Powderface Creek Trail is on its far side. You’re on the flanks of Prairie Mountain at this point, but you can’t see the summit from this angle.

Drop down to creek level again and for the next while the trail is at its most laid back. After a few uneventful clicks, come to a junction at a grassy area, turn south and soon after cross the creek on a bridge. The K-County map marker found here sure is old and worn and has around at least as long as we’ve been doing the outdoor thing (20+ years). Prairie Creek Trail continues on to the west – we’ve never been – before hooking up with Powderface Trail (a road).

Now comes a bit of a climb. Always in the trees, the path takes a fairly easy line and before you know it you’ve topped out and are dropping down on the far side. This is the broad butt-end of Vents Ridge. Soon after the bent tree come to a meadow and at three way junction turn left on Powderface Creek Trail. Going right would takes you deeper into the forest and then up to the end of a long ridge. See: Powderface Creek

The noon-bell rings and a downed tree here makes a nice bench on which to enjoy lunch. We always make the meal stop a high point in our hikes. The hill to the west is Powderface Ridge. It’s especially long and surprisingly is open at the top even though this angle suggests it’d be heavily treed. It’s often windy up there too. With nice views of peaks to west to be had from up there, it’s a popular trek too and the summit can be reached by a number of routes. One is the continuation of Powderface Creek Trail we just spoke about or as we’ve done before, by using the more direct southwest approach. Either way, it’s a decidedly fun time.

Powderface Creek Trail is actually an old exploration road. If you were to turn right at the last junction and continue for a couple clicks, you’d find the remains of a old truck that looks like it tumbled off the road while descending a steep grade. In any case, it’s mangled up good.

You’ll be heading south now. Always paralleling Powderface Creek, the track rises and falls with the land and come summer free range cattle sometimes can be found along here. Look down for evidence of their visits! Powderface Creek Trail is popular with two-wheelers, so keep an eye and ear open for them. That’s Vents Ridge on your left now and you’ll likely see a couple unofficial trails that head up that way along this stretch. Sooner or later, we might have to check them out. So many places to go!

Soon after a cattle gate, there’s a bypass, which is the dryer option when the water is running. Along here the trail (road) and creek are often one, which this avoids. With everything all frozen on our visit we didn’t need to use it. Parting ways with Powderface Creek, there’s a couple short up sections, then you drop down and in a few moments emerge from the woods at the Powderface Day Use Area. Straight ahead, just across the (unseen) Elbow River is a lump of rock called Iyarhe Ipan (origins: Stoney Language). You can’t miss it. It’s likewise a nice hike from what we’ve heard and in time maybe we’ll tackle it. It is however, more scramble-like in nature.

Back at the highway, it’s a short jaunt back to your ride. What a great time. Obviously, any day in the woods is good one. Any day in the woods with your best friend is even better (so bring one). And any day in the woods with your best friend, good eats and wine, that’s where the magic happens.

Till the next trip report, keep being awesome!

They’re saying…

”I love the beautiful pictures that are shared in Facebook. I highly recommend this site to anyone who feels like they can enjoy new adventures through Chris and Connie.” Lori Miller.

In the area…
Ford Knoll Loop.
Mustang Hills.
Moose Mountain.

If you wish more information about this route, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: April, 2019.
Location: Elbow River Area Kananaskis.
Distance: 13.5km loop.
Height gain maximum: 300m.
Height gain cumulative: 400m-ish
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and therefore may differ slightly from other trip reports.
Technical stuff and notes: it can be busy on certain days.
Reference: Kananaskis Trail Guides by Gillean Daffern.

In the off-season you start at the gate.

On Prairie Creek Trail.

Crossing the trail’s namesake.

You go up!

High above the creek now.

Coming to a viewpoint.

With spring, these would be soon be gone.

The return leg is on the other side of that ridge.

Close to the creek again.

It’s easy going along this section.

When open to the sun the trail was bare.

It’s an area of rolling ridges.

In the trees.

Timber!

A little bridge to cross.

And a map to guide the way.

Now on Prairie Link.

It connects Prairie Creek & Powderface Creek Trails.

Going up & over a wooded hill.

The bent tree.

Lunch time!

The north end of Powderface Ridge.

The trail rises & falls with the land.

Sheltered areas held on to the snow.

Sharing the trail.

At the cattle gate.

When the creek’s running this bypass is the dryer option.

There’s a couple short steep pushes at the end.

Iyarhe Ipan across the Elbow.

The end to an awesome hike.

Do it in either direction, do it in any weather.