McGillivray Canyon Hike close to Canmore
8 min read
Several years ago, I arrived throughout a article on the McGillivray Canyon hike and filed it absent as a hike that appeared appealing. And what a one of a kind hike it turned out to be!
The trail usually takes you from the parking large amount close to the noisy Trans-Canada Highway, via really woods with dappled light-weight to the edge of McGillivray Canyon. A climb ensues followed by a steep descent – that can be tough in winter. There’s about a 300-metre extend with publicity in which you actually really do not want to fall. But at the time in the canyon, the hiking is easy, and the expertise of going for walks past steep canyon partitions is glorious.
McGillivray Canyon is just one of numerous slot canyons in close proximity to Canmore. It does not see any place near the figures of men and women that Grotto Canyon receives due to the fact of the issues of receiving into it. If it was quick, it would be overrun with folks as the chockstone around the stop of the trail is Instagram worthy.
In winter season the massive boulders are snow protected, so it is a superior strategy to comply with the trail of all those who have long gone in advance of you. The relaxation of the calendar year, help save for the spring soften or flood, there is a modest stream that flows through the canyon. You will not operate into a lot of folks on the McGillivray Canyon hike, although at sure situations of the year you might see rock climbers on the around vertical faces.
The landscape in the canyon is remarkable, primarily when you occur to the chockstone, a massive boulder wedged involving the two canyon walls. Even although it’s been there for a fantastic lengthy time, it is unnerving to stroll underneath it.
Look at out my Instagram reel to see what the hike looks like.
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It’s a minor disconcerting standing below the chockstone even nevertheless it is been there for a really lengthy time
McGillivray Canyon hike summary
Permits: You do have to have a valid Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Invest in on the internet prior to you go. It’s $15 per working day or $90 for every year with up to two vehicles at the exact same address.
Distance: Close to 4.4 km spherical vacation
Elevation acquire: 136 m or 446 ft
Time needed: 1.5 – 2.5 hrs relying on how much time you spend making the most of McGillivray Canyon.
Level of problems: Quick to reasonable with one particular caveat – there is significant exposure most people today won’t like on the path higher than the canyon partitions. In winter it is icy. If you attempt it without icers, you could get oneself into major problems. After in McGillivray Canyon it’s clear-cut.
Never ignore: Allow somebody know wherever you are likely and when you are due again. Have the climbing essentials and an excess pair of dry socks.
Bears: I’d recommend carrying quick to access bear spray in all but the coldest winter season months.
Canines: We didn’t carry our canine and I’m glad we did not simply because of the steep, icy descent. It’s doable for some athletic dogs but is it a great plan? My partner suggests certainly, and I say no. Greater while when the snow and ice have disappeared.
Equipment: In winter season get very good icers that grip the ice on a slope and not the wander-in-the-neighbourhood sort of icers with metal knobs. I’d advise a climbing pole as very well – very good for stability and testing drinking water depth in the pools in the canyon.
Remember to: Practice Go away No Trace concepts. The canyon appears pristine, and it would be great to preserve it that way.
Temperature forecast: Look at the forecast prior to you go.
Path problems: It is hard to examine trail ailments for the McGillivray Canyon hike since this like lots of trails in Kananaskis is an unofficial trail. Use some widespread sense. If it’s rained challenging, there is been a significant dump of snow, or a horrific windstorm has handed by means of, give it a move for at minimum a handful of days until finally matters settle down.
Consider particular accountability: There are dangers included with this hike. Make sure you’re knowledgeable of them and do almost everything to mitigate them before you go. You are accountable for your own basic safety. Get your completely billed cell cellular phone and an emergency place product like a Garmin InReach Mini 2.
We both wore icers with a great grip on the McGillivray Canyon hike
Obtaining the trailhead for the McGillivray Canyon hike
If you’ve driven the Trans-Canada Freeway amongst Calgary and Canmore, then you have passed the unmarked entrance to the parking whole lot and the trailhead for the McGillivray Canyon hike.
You CAN ONLY get to the parking whole lot from the east certain lane on the Trans-Canada Highway.
If you are driving west on the Trans-Canada Highway
Get off at Lifeless Man’s Flats. Go around the overpass to decide on up the Trans-Canada Freeway heading east bound. Zero your odometer at the prime of the on ramp. Drive for 3.5 km from the top rated of the on ramp. holding a shut eye out for the pullover. It is obvious and it will be at about the 3.6 – 3.7 km issue. When you can see Lac des Arcs in the length, you are almost at the pull off. Beware of cars and trucks powering you.
If you are driving east on the Trans-Canada Freeway
From Canmore it’s about a 10-minute, 11 km travel. Follow the directions higher than from the on ramp from Dead Man’s Flats.
You can only accessibility the McGillivray Canyon hike if you are driving east from Canmore
McGillivray Canyon hike description
There is no signage for the McGillivray Canyon hike, but the route is on the Gem Trek Canmore and Kananaskis Village Map and we uncovered Natural and organic Maps, an offline climbing application to be really useful.
From the parking ton head out on the apparent trail that starts off by two substantial rocks. In shorter purchase pass a trail coming in on your left and a indicator expressing Trans-Canada Path. Disregard it and hold going for walks on what the Gem Trek map calls the Bow Corridor Hyperlink Path as it curves all over and heads as a result of a thick stand of trees.
In limited buy you’ll see a yellow sign saying, “Alberta Wildland Provincial Park boundary.” Flip remaining on to the path John is pointing at in the photograph under.
The path leaving from the parking lot
Switch still left off the Trans-Canada Trail just previous the indicator that states Wildland Provincial Park boundary
Go on walking through fairly forest to reach the start out of the canyon. You will see a rough trail down to McGillivray Canyon, but never take it. Back in 2021 Alberta Parks pulled all the ladders and ropes out of the canyon as it considered them to be unsafe. There is now an upper canyon bypass trail and that is what is described in this web site.
Simple walking by way of rather woods
The trail was nicely tramped down when we did the McGillivray Canyon hike but could be hard to comply with after a clean snowfall. You could possibly want to wait around a day or two for other hikers so you can observe their tracks.
When you achieve a modest – as in possibly a one metre climb up a rock with roots the place you are going to most likely want to use your arms for the first time, you will will need to search for a trail on your still left getting off from beside the only significant boulder in the rapid spot. This is the canyon bypass path. We went straight by it as there is a faint trail and experienced to bushwhack up to it about 10 minutes afterwards.
The moment you’re on the bypass path, it is very uncomplicated. Most of the elevation attain will take place about the next 50 % kilometre or so. As you get near to the steep descent into the canyon, you simply cannot aid but discover the fall-off on your right. Aim on your ft and prevent tripping. It’s a steep, slippery descent to the canyon base, but the good thing is there are fairly a handful of trees to seize. I found a pole handy in areas in this article too.
Make use of the trees to keep upright on the McGillivray Canyon hike
It is a steep, slippery descent into McGillivray Canyon in wintertime – it would be simpler with out the snow and ice
After you are in McGillivray Canyon it is all simple going. You are going to be happy to know that the hike out of McGillivray Canyon is way less complicated that the descent into it. And the canyon is a elegance. We took our time, stopping to admire the rocks along the way. We noticed lots of climbing ropes and bolted routes up sheer canyon walls. It would be entertaining to see the rock climbers in action right here.
We did the McGillivray Canyon hike in March soon after a heat spell so there were being swimming pools of standing water you experienced to get about. A pole aided for harmony and to probe to see how deep the pools are. If you get a soaker, a dry pair of socks would be wonderful to have.
It is exceptionally attractive in McGillivray Canyon
The trail in the canyon was straightforward to stick to
Sheer canyon walls had been a sight to see on the hike up McGillivray Canyon
Some rock climbers with time on their fingers have to have designed this log bench
John climbing up to the chockstone in McGillivray Canyon
Wanting at the chockstone from the other aspect
John less than the chockstone at the stop of the McGillivray Canyon hike
Retracing our ways to get out of McGillivray Canyon
Final views
I appreciate canyon hikes – and in simple fact some of the best days of my lifestyle have included canyons. Cue a full day canyoning practical experience in Jasper National Park and one particular in Utah’s Escalante Wilderness. Each of individuals were guided hikes that essential ropes and rappels. There is almost nothing technological about the McGillivray Canyon hike, but you do have to experience comfortable with some publicity. Change all-around if it is as well a lot for you!
Spot map demonstrating the parking
A lot more good day hikes near the canyon
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