Elbow Valley Trail / Riverview Loop

Posted December 1st, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

8.5 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Elev. gain:

165 meters

Time required:

2 - 3 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX

Directions to trail head

The hike starts in Paddy's Flat Campground. The turnoff is on highway 66 approximately 15 kilometers west from the intersections of highways #22 and #66 near Bragg Creek. Turn left into the campground access road. Do not turn into the group campground to the left. Follow the road which bends to the right. There is a parking lot on the left side of the road just before the sharp bend in the road to the left that heads downhill towards the river. The trailhead is marked and is on the right side of the road. This trail takes you back to the highway which you will follow and cross to start the hike. The other and easier option (the one I chose) is to park near the gate to the campground and start on the Elbow Trail which is directly across highway #66.

Hike Description

Once you have crossed highway #66, the trail heads uphill to a T-intersection. Turn left and you are on the Elbow Valley Trail. The trail rolls west along the ridge above the highway will views of the valley below.

The day I did this hike was one of the windiest I remember and the photos suffered but the photo below will give you an idea of the views along the Elbow Valley Trail.

After 2.6 kilometers you will cross the Moose Mountain Road. Another 1.3 kilometers and you will reach the 4 way intersection of Ing's Mine Trail, Sulphur Springs Trail and the Elbow Valley Trail. Keep to the left and head down to highway #66 which you will cross. This is the start of the Riverview Loop. The trail starts high above the river and works it way down to the side of the river.

This is where the trail gets confusing because there are several trails heading down to the river. Follow the trail past two cutlines and you will find a obvious well used trail. It has two steel culverts running under it (waypoint #001 on the GPS Track). Turn right and you will end up near the river on the Paddy's Flat Interpretative Trail. Follow this trail along the river to the east. There are several more trails that you will cross that head uphill into the campground. Watch for a beat up signpost with the number 11 on it that is part of the interpretive trail. After seeing the signpost you will cross a footbridge and you should immediately turn left (at waypoint #002 on the GPS Track) and begin to climb the hill towards the campground. At a T-intersection keep to the right to return to the parking lot. To the left is the rest of the interpretative trail. The trail ends on the main campground road. Follow it uphill and then to the right to return to your car.