Powder Face Ridge Trail

Trailhead: Park in the ditch next to the #66 highway just before the Little Elbow Campground turn off. During the winter highway closure from Dec 1st to May 15th park on the north side of the highway opposite the Elbow Falls entrance. Locate the trailhead in the Powder Face trail parking lot located a few hundred meters from the locked gate.

Description: Powder Face Ridge trail can be hiked in two directions. The first is located 300 meters past Elbow Falls starting at the Powder Face Trail parking lot. The second more southerly approach shown in the pictures below is located at the Little Elbow campground turn off.

The south end trail winds it’s way up through a spruce and pine forest opening onto a beautiful mountain meadow below Powder Face ridge. In September of 2008 there was a blow down near the south end start of the trail. Blow downs are rare events that are are caused by very strong winds funneled into one spot by local geography. Pictures of the fallen tree’s clearly shows the impact and strength of these winds.

This trail offers excellent views of Mount Glasgow, Mount Cornwall, Outlaw Peak and Banded Peak. The summit offers a classic transitional view of prairies to foothills to mountains with the city of Calgary visible on the eastern horizon. Powder Face Ridge is a perfect spring time hike for getting your summer legs back in shape. You are in bear country

Elbow River Area Map PDF