Nihahi Ridge Hike

Trailhead: Park at the Little Elbow Campground 40 minutes west of Calgary. Note Highway #66 is closed at Elbow Falls from Dec 1st to May 15th.

Description: Hike up the road along the Elbow River to end of the campground passing the locked road barrier until you see the signed trailhead located on your right. Continue hiking up the Nihahi Ridge trail through a spruce and fir forest. In a short distance the trail enters a beautiful wildflower meadow.

Spectacular views of the valley below will be in sight from this point onwards. Work your way up past a cable railed bluff then up the scree slope until you reach the ridge buttress. At this point you can catch your breath and take in the views. This is as far as most people go however you can keep going further up the ridge if you don’t mind a short steep section that requires your hands and feet to climb.

Follow the trail along the right side of the buttress until it ends at the bottom of a short steep rock face that is usually wet. Scramble up this section then continue on up to the top of the ridge. Once you arrive you will not be disappointed. Views of Moose Mountain, Prairie Mountain, Powder Face Ridge, Mount Glasgow, Mount Cornwall, Outlaw Peak, Banded Peak and Mount Romulus are stunning. You are in bear country

Elbow River Area Map PDF