West Bragg Creek Trails: Call Me

You can keep good and busy exploring the extensive Bragg Creek Trails network and even if visited often, there’s always new routes to discover. Well thought out and maintained by a dedicated group (bless their hearts), trails are generally multi-use, so open to some combination of hikers, cyclists, equestrian riders, those on snowshoe or cross county skis, and all depending on the season of course.

Have we forgotten anyone or anything?

This early winter’s day we’re on foot and linking together snippets of many different trails (Telephone, Disconnect, Long Distance, plus Reconnect) to make a pleasant little loop through the forest. What a clever name we’ve given it too…phone references…get it…call me? Hello…anyone?

Just inside the Kananaskis boundary, this is an area of low rolling hills and feels well removed from civilization, even if the big city is just over the horizon. It’s nice and convenient too, so the just the medicine needed when there’s a hankering to get outdoors.

The fun starts at the West Bragg Creek Trailhead and that’s directly west of Bragg Creek (who’d have guessed?) There a big parking lot here and the whole place can be busy at times, but given the sheer number of trails everyone soon spreads out. We saw almost no one on our visit and based on the fresh untouched snow from the night before, were the very first to take in some parts.

Given the maze of trails, knowing your way is critical so to help there’s plenty of maps and signage along the way. One could get hopelessly lost without, but here they’ve made it hard to go wrong.

From the northeast side of the parking lot look for the Telephone Trail and dial in the adventure. This route is named after a communication line that once ran between a number of nearby ranger’s stations in the old days and is one of the longest loops in the GBCTA network. Our route only takes in a part of it.

The path is easy going, there in the trees. There’s a few ups and downs – nothing big – and a there’s a scenic little pond that’s nice. It’s all so pretty as a picture here, and good cheap fun. Pass junction after junction and note one sign that warns users taking in all sixteen kilometres of the Telephone Trail to be prepared. That’s some good advice as it’s a big remote loop. We’ve done it in the past – once in the spring and that was a stupid idea! The west leg can be a literal swamp in places that early in the season and so say it with me – doh! In fall or winter it’s not so bad, however.

Connect with Disconnect and make the easy climb up to the top of a low hill. It’s nothing hard but still a good workout. Pass a logging cutblock and you’ll see more than a few of these this day. They’ve been timber harvesting the hills here for a long time and continue to do so even with it a recreation area. These openings in the woods do afford a visitor some limited views, however, so otherwise you’d see nothing. These trails are not so much about that anyway and instead are for simply getting out.

Hook up with Long Distance and turn left. Most of these trails are fairly new (the last decade) and pleasantly meander through the forest. At a four-way junction turn right on Reconnect and drop down into a valley, then a click and a half later go left on joining up with the west leg of Telephone Trail. The woods are so peaceful after a snowfall and all we heard is the crunch of the fresh stuff underfoot. We could get into this hiking stuff don’t you know.

With Connie’s ongoing health problems now flaring up (transient muscle pain, non-permanent and tied to post cancer hormone therapy), we had a change plans and find an easy escape. The simplest and flattest option was to utilize parts of the Moose Loop, Moose Connector and Mountain Road back to the parking lot but otherwise, we think we’d have taken Braggin’ Rights. It’s a more hilly and windy trail (so more interesting too) that similarly leads back to the starting point but we’ll save it for next time.

We saw no meeses in the low lying swampy area visible along the Moose Loop/Connector section and while they do seem hang out here and we’ve seen them on past visits, they no-showed this day. Those b******s!

We didn’t see many people this outing, a few hikers and maybe as many on bikes, so we had much alone time which we always like. Everyone we did pass was smiling and waving and that tells us the woods have a way of putting people in a good mood.

Shout out to the Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association and their army of volunteers, who build and maintains the network. When back at your car, look for a donation box at the parking lot and drop in a fiver so the party never ends. Or go online to give.

Stay tuned for more good times and adventure on the trail!

Know more and that includes maps (new tab): Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association.

They’re saying…

“”Love the variety and always look forward to seeing the places they visit.” Brian Brandon – River City Classics and Eamon’s Garage.

More from the Bragg Creek Trails Network…
Tom Snow/Ridgeback – Up one and down the other.
Sugar Daddy/Sugar Momma.
Iron Springs – Elbow.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: October, 2020.
Location: West Bragg Creek area, Kananaskis Alberta.
Distance: 11km loop.
Height gain maximum: 240m.
Height gain cumulative: 260m-ish.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Technical stuff and notes: We got nothing.
Reference: Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association and the Dafferns.

On the Greater Bragg Creek Trails system.

Along the Telephone Trail.

Snow only fell the night before.

Lots of signs help you stay on track.

A warning for those doing the entire Telephone Trail.

Pretty as a picture.

It’s such a pleasant stroll in the woods.

Not far from Disconnect.

A recently logged section.

No tracks, no footprints, so we’re the first.

The best view of the day.

Now on Long Distance.

Along a low ridgetop.

It’s an area of low rolling hills.

Now it’s Reconnect.

It’s an easy going kind of hike.

Some mountain bikers pass.

The woods are so quiet after a snowfall.

Yes…yes it is.

Back on Telephone Trail (west leg now).

Looking for moose…

Almost done.

The final leg was along Mountain Road.

Call me!