Moose Mountain Ice Cave

Trailhead: Drive to the entrance of the Canyon Creek access road located directly across from the Elbow River picnic area. 2kms before Elbow Falls on highway #66. Approximately 35 minutes west of Calgary.

Description: The approach is by gravel road that is maintained by Shell Canada and can only be accessed on foot. Unfortunately there is a locked road gate to keep vehicles out. You’ll appreciate a bicycle here. The access road passes by a few natural gas installations that are an eyesore to say the least and makes one wonder why the gas company has vehicle access and the public doesn’t.

Continue down the road taking the left fork towards a gas installation below Moose Mountain. Locate the well worn trail next to Canyon Creek and continue on as it ascends up a steep scree slope to the mouth of the cave. Beware of falling rocks when in or near the cave. Several years ago a person was killed by falling rock while standing near the mouth of the cave.

Avoid hiking against the bottom of the cliff face. There is 325ms of loose rock above you. The beautiful frozen ice crystals located in the cave are created by water seeping down through the mountain top. The cave has several caverns and travels deep inside the mountain. Ice has blocked the narrow passage at the end so you can no longer enter the deeper caverns. Alberta Parks may have also barricaded the narrow entrance. Don’t plan on travelling to far into the cave without proper experience and gear, the risk is extreme.

Elbow River Area Map PDF