Foran Grade Loop

Posted October 28th, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

6.4 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Elev. gain:

225 meters

Time required:

2 - 3 hours

Bikes permitted:

Yes

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Horses permitted:

Yes

Download GPX

Directions to trail head

Drive to Turner Valley which depending on your route is anywhere from 65 to 78 kilometers from Calgary. After you drive into Turner Valley from the north on highway #22 drive through town to a 4-way stop which has a sign for highway #546 to the west. There is an Esso station at the intersection. Turn right (west) on Highway #546. This highway turns into Township Road #194a. The boundary of the Sandy McNabb Recreation Area is approximately 17 kilometers from Turner Valley. The trailhead is approximately 2 kilometers inside the park, about a 1.6 kilometers west of the winter gates. There is pullout on the right side of the road. This is the start of the Foran Grade Loop. The other option is to park about 3 kilometers further west at the trailhead for the Windy Point Trail and hike the loop clockwise.

Hazards on trail

The winter gates are closed and the trail inaccessible unless you are prepared to walk an additional couple of kilometers west of the winter gate from December 1 through May 15.

Hike Description

This trail starts with a short walk in a pine forest before you reach a barbed wire fence. After the gate the trail turns to the left and crosses the pasture and begins a gradual climb up switchbacks en-route to Foran Grade Ridge. At points, clear spots provide views of the Sheep River Valley looking west towards the mountains.

Foran Grade Loop Hiking Trail

When you descend from the Ridge towards Windy Point you will reach the intersection of the Foran Grade Loop and Windy Point Trail. This intersection is 3.5 kilometers from the trailhead. Turn left, follow Windy Trail, and the road is only 1 kilometer. At the highway you can turn left and follow it back to your vehicle or you can cross the highway and continue to follow the Windy Point Trail. This section of the trail involves walking along the precipitous canyon walls of the Sheep River. I would suggest returning on the road in slippery conditions. The GPS track and the distance of 6.4 kilometers assumes you return on the road to the trailhead. If you take the Windy Point Trail after crossing the highway you will add 650 meters to the hike.