Heart Mountain Trail Return via Quaite Creek Trail

Posted April 29th, 2007 by Chris

Distance:

10 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Elev. gain:

600 meters

Time required:

4 - 7 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX

Directions to trail head

Drive 75 kilometers west of the the city limits of Calgary. The turnoff you are looking for is the Lac Des Arcs turnoff but it is also posted for the Heart Creek hike. If you are driving west you will cross the overpass to the other side of highway #1 and up into the Heart Creek Recreation Area. If you are headed east you exit off the highway into the parking lot for the Heart Creek Trailhead. I would suggest you park at the Heart Creek trailhead and then hike to the Heart Mountain Trailhead. The other option and you will see many people doing it is to park in the ditch about 700 meters east of the overpass.

Hazards on trail

This hike involves climbing on loose rock and spree slopes. In one section you will be climbing a section of rock about 8 feet in height. Loose rock and falling are hazards on this trail. Do not take on more than you can handle.

Hike Description

The mountain is usually one of the first peaks that can be climbed after the spring snow melt. I was going to post the Elevation Profile from this hike but what you would see is that you hike straight up and then down at very aggressive rates of climbing and descent. For this reason, although dogs are allowed I do not recommend this trail for them. Depending on your pet, there is one spot at least where you will have to lift your dog to continue. I had to boost my dog at this spot and I can attest, it is steeper than it looks in the picture.

I would suggest you start in the Heart Creek Trail parking lot. You hike following the highway for about 1 kilometer before reaching the trailhead for the trail to Heart Mountain. A lot of people climb close to the peak and return the same way. The GPS track is a circuit route that can be completed by following the ridge line as it circles behind the Heart Mountain and then descends to Quartzite Creek. View the full size topographical map via flickr.

The GPS track for this hike can be downloaded via the file attached to this post. Go to the "About" page for directions prior to download or use of this data. Please submit your feedback and let me know your thoughts on the hike. If you have the the GPS data for other hikes in Alberta please send it along with a couple pictures to chris[at]hikealberta[dot]com.