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Hiking the Nihahi Ridge Trail, Elbow Valley / Kananaskis Country

Posted by in Hiking, Photography | June 13, 2009

The Nihahi Ridge Trail is unique to the Elbow Valley and the Kananaskis regions. It’s trail stretches through the 3 ecological zones (montane, subalpine and alpine) and create the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies.

This being my first major hike, I was immediately impressed with the views offered. Starting out in the thick pine trees you hike up towards the grassy slopes of Nihahi Ridge Trail (bring your bear spray), every step giving a wonderful new view of the Elbow Rivers. Ascending above the tree line into the subalpine zone, things start to get interesting! The slopes start getting sleeper and trails narrow.

Exiting the sub-alpine zone and ascending into the alpine, the brittle shale starts to crumble away from beneath my feet as the trail vanishes into a vast rocky landscape, let the scramble begin!

Final Destination

  • Hike elevation gain of  3,100 ft.
  • Distance: 9 km
  • Difficulty: Moderate Scramble
  • 50.85°N / 114.92°W

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