Ole Buck Loop

Here’s an easy one for those days when aspirations are wanting. It’s a simple loop, mostly in the trees and takes in the west facing slope of Ole Buck Mountain. Well graded, the route is K-Country official, so marked and well maintained. Easy stuff! You’re talking Ole Buck Loop in the Sibbald area of Kananaskis and you’ll be done in no time.

There’s two possible starts to this “expedition”, the traditional way via Sibbald Lake, or as we did from the Sibbald Viewpoint Recreation Area (it’s on the map). Our’s is the longer of the two. Start off via the Sibbald Forestry Exhibit trail at the west end of the parking lot and put feet in motion.

Almost immediately come to a fine viewpoint – Moose Mountain (the tallest peak) to the south and the Hunchback Hills to the southwest are standouts. Otherwise it’s a vast swath of nameless hills and ridges and the endless forest. Along here we find a little memorial to Heather and ponder if this was her spot?

Cross the highway (#68, Sibbald Creek Trail), a dusty affair and the road you came in on. Look for interpretive plaques the next while that tell of logging that happened in the area in the 1960s and ’70s.

Travelling behind the Sibbald Campsite (smell that bacon cooking), come to a junction and turn right. Cross a bridge and then if you’re following our route head left. The trail to the right is the return leg of the loop.

The path follows a reclaimed logging road, here along a grassy meadow, then on hitting the trees starts heading up. At this point a second trail is seen – don’t take it and instead go right. Climb steadily but never at too steep a grade.

Part way up there’s a nice little bench to take a break. This is an in the trees hike, as you’ve seen, so views are non-existent. Embrace the spruce and embrace the pine. Prairie Crocus, always the first flower of spring, were plenty underfoot this fine day.

A rocky outcropping announces your arrival at the high point and is a great place to kick back for half hour or so. Lunch time! Those damn Whisky Jacks are quick to home in on dropped crumbs!

So it’s wine and conversation and in the time we spent here, saw several groups comes and go, reminding us the trail is popular. Most people come in from the big campground below with few recreational hikers doing it. It’s too easy really.

Some people have bushwacked it up to the “lofty” summit of Ole Buck from here and it looks doable. We “summited” from an alternate approach in the past. Here: Ole Buck Mountain.

Continuing on, start dropping down, but the grade is just as gentle as it was on the up leg. Official Kananaskis trails (the few that there are, relative to the total) are always well thought out if anything. In no time you’ll be back at the bridge and it’s a simple matter of retracing your steps back to the car.

This was one of the more easy going hikes here, but still quite enjoyable. The desire is to hit up the money shot locations makes us forget that any trail, even one in the trees like Ole Buck Loop, can be fun. A day in a woods is always a good one.

They’re saying…

”…I sure enjoy reading about their travels.” James Churchill.

More easy stuff like this…
Mesa Butte (The Grind).
Ford Knoll Loop.
Sandy McNabb Hills.

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

Date of adventure: May, 2021.
Location: Sibbald Area of Kananaskis, AB
Distance: 6km total.
Height gain maximum: 200m.
Height gain cumulative: 220m
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Technical stuff and notes: There’s lots of cow pies lower down.
Reference: Kananaskis Trail Guides by Gillean Daffern.

Along the Sibbald Forestry Exhibit Trail to start.

There’s this nice view early on.

A memorial to Heather.

Crossing Sibbald Creek Trail, aka Hwy #68.

In 1962…

Crossing a little creek.

Along a reclaimed road.

Keep right here.

The grade is mostly moderate.

A bench part way up should you need a rest.

They’re the first flowers each spring.

The high point’s up there.

Wine is our reward.

Quick to grab anything dropped.

It’s an east going hike and quite enjoyable.

Moose Mountain through the trees.

Dropping down at a steady pace.

Now that’s a burl.

The north end of the Hunchback Hills in back.

Six km and 200m of fun.