Nihahi Ridge Traverse

Lat/Lon: 50.85°N, 114.92°W
Nihahi Ridge is the last major obstacle on the front range in Kananaskis Country,
more specifically serving as the border to Elbow Sheep Wildland Provincial Park.
Kananaskis Country encompasses over 4,000 square kilometers of foothills and
mountains bordering Banff National Park in the central Canadian Rockies. Nihahi
Ridge is a 8km extended ridge sandwiched between Mount Fullerton to the west
and the Powderface Trail (gravel road) to the east.   It was officially named in 1922
after the Stoney Indian word equivalent of “rocky”.

Nihahi Ridge has two published routes, a hiking trail leading to within 1300’ of the
south summit and a scramble route that ascends the south summit and traverses
the entire ridge to the north summit with a challenging descent. There are no viable
ski routes up the ridge. Most of the area front range mountains are in good view from
the ridge including Mount Cornwall and Mount Glasgow to the south, Mount Remus
and Mount Romulus to the southwest as well as The Wedge and Opal Ridge to the
west.   Moose Mountain is to the northeast and is the site of a popular 30km trail race
to the summit that I participate in every September.

The guide book rates this route a moderate scramble, but in my opinion the route
finding skills are closer to difficult status.   A party of three, who finished right
before me, took 11 hours versus the 7.5 hours it took me solo.   That being said,
according to the guide book some continue on to Compression Ridge which makes
sense to the hard core, since you are up this high and so close to the start of
Compression . But I had my ride home escort me along the trail portion, 1300’ below
the southern summit (start of the traverse), and did not want to abuse the privilege by
making the day even longer.

Getting There
The Bragg Creek and Sheep Valley area of Kananaskis Country can be accessed
from Calgary via a number of roads. The simplest is to take the Trans-Canada exit
for Bragg Creek, Highway 22. Travel south through Bragg Creek on Highway 22 until
it dead ends into Highway 66. Turn right on Highway 66 and follow it until a dead end
into the Little Elbow Campground. Park on the right at the sign for trailhead parking.
Watch for cattle and deer on the road as you will be driving through open range land.
Highway 66 is closed from December 1 through May 14.

Red Tape
There are no permit requirements to enter, climb and/or park in Kananaskis
Provincial Park. The Elbow Valley Information Center is located on your right after you
turn right on Highway 66. Any recent notices will be posted on the bulletin board at
that location. Kananaskis Provincial Park headquarters are located on Highway 40
east of Canmore.

This is active grizzly country, therefore, you should always have bear spray on your
person. There was a dangerous bear in this area during June, 2004 and my exit trail
on descent was closed unbeknownst to me at the time. I do advise checking with the
park website link provided above for possible trail closures.

When To Climb
As with most scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, the driest time is from June
through September. The front range can be scrambled earlier if conditions are
compatible. I traversed the Nihahi Ridge in June and the ridge was in dry condition
with minor snow on the descent. There are no published backcountry ski routes on
Nihahi, nor would it be conducive to ski to the ridge.

Camping
The closest camp site would be the Little Elbow Campground in which you start this
scramble. Do not expect much of a backcountry experience, however, as many city
residents use this campground as a holiday type resort. There are many backcountry
sites in the area. You cannot camp outside of the marked specific camping areas in
Kananaskis. Refer to the Kananaskis Provincial Park website for more information
regarding camping and/or lodging.

Mountain Conditions
The Kananaskis Provincial Park website is a very thorough park website, including
trail conditions or closures, wildlife notices, weather conditions, avalanche
conditions, camping permits, whitewater conditions, etc. It is an excellent source if
you are going to spend any time here and comparable to any National Park website I
have used. Outside of the parks web site, Canadian Avalanche Association is also
useful, particularly for winter travel.   Canadian Alpine Accident Reports are also
extremely useful.

Route
This is a 3100’+/- ascent day although your altimeter will register considerably more
due to loss and regain of the many peaks along the ridge. Start in the Little Elbow
Campground at the end of Hwy 66. If someone is dropping you off, they can drive in
to the trail head itself saving a kilometer or two. Being a traverse, you will need to
stash a vehicle or bike or have cabbie service (as I did) pick you up at the Prairie
Creek Trailhead on Powder Face Trail (gravel road).   The way I worked it was having
the same party who picked me up come along for the trail portion (Nihahi Ridge
Trail) and then return to the vehicle and pick me up at the end of the traverse. The
returning party will have excess time on their hands however.

Hike through the Little Elbow Campground as it dead ends into the Little Elbow Trail
that runs along the Little Elbow River. This portion of the trail is basically a fire road.
Less than 1km from the gate, you will come across the Nihahi Ridge Trail on your
right. This is a 2.2km trail that leads up to within 1300’ of the south summit of Nihahi
Ridge. This trail is rated moderate and has a total return distance from the trailhead
parking of 8.8kms with an elevation gain of 1250’+/-.

The south summit is an easy objective standing at about 7800', approximately the
same height as the other umpteen peaks on this route until the 2nd to last and the
final north summit itself standing at 8300'.   Actual elevation gain from bottom to
top is only 3000’+, but the accumulated elevation gain is quite extensive. This up
and down ridge will have you seeing about four false summits (I ran a mountain
race in the morning at Station Flats and got dehydrated on the way up the trail, I
kept pretending the ridge was over). There are some maneuvers over rock band-
steps along the way, but nothing terribly difficult.

The views stand out during the entire traverse. Calgary is off to the east, Mount
Cornwall and Mount Glasgow to the south, Mount Remus and Mount Romulus are
relatively close to the southwest and The Wedge, Opal Ridge and Mount Joffre are
distant to the west.

The real challenge of this day is the descent.   Most beta discusses coming down
the west side and taking the long hike back to the campground via the Ford Creek
Trail. I chose to descend the steep north side of the north peak, allowing me to
glissade (in June) down snow and rubble several thousand feet.   However, there is
no trail out to the Powderface Trail Road. Therefore, set your compass before you
are submerged below tree line and wilderness and head northeast to the road.
When you find yourself on one final ridge that gives you any visibility before
hitting the forest again, set your compass for a significant open bog with several
bleached rock protrusions.   Once you make this clearing, head due east and
listen for the start of Prairie Creek and follow it on out to the road using various
animal trails. There was a dangerous bear in this area during June, 2004. Once I
reached Ford Creek Trail for my final exit, this area was taped and signed heavily in
regards to trail closure. Follow the trail to the road.

Essential Gear
Helmet, Considerable Water, Alpine Ax and Gaiters for Descent, Bear Spray,
Compass and Map

Trip Report
Ran a 5 Peaks race this particular morning at Station Flats. Starting a long ridge
traverse dehydrated was probably not the best idea. That being said, it was an
incredible sun filled day. Had a party in front of me that I did not see until I was
finished. They took 11 hours, I took 7.5, so completion times can vary significantly on
this route. My wife and dog went in on the trail portion with me which worked out well
in terms of picking me up at the end of the traverse. They just took a long time on the
return trail and hiked more, etc. If I had it to do over, I would combine this ridge with
Compression Ridge and have it all done. Now I have to bushwhack back in to the
start of Compression Ridge. Both of these ridges would make for one hell of a long
push do doubt. Cheers.