Old Goat Glacier

Posted September 9th, 2007 by dirkca

Distance:

7.6 km

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Elev. gain:

650 meters

Time required:

3 - 6 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

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Directions to trail head

From Canmore, follow the Smith-Dorrian Road to Spray Lakes. Turn south over the dam. Follow the Spray Lakes West campground road for about 1.5 km. Where the road makes a sharp left turn and goes slightly uphill, turn right. There is parking hidden behind some vegetation. The trailhead is a bit difficult to find. Turn around if you can't find it. There are no signs!

Hazards on trail

Occasional rock slides, slippery trail in some parts. Dangerous moraines and glacier crevasses! Do not walk on glacier or on loose moraines if you don't know what you are doing. People have gotten killed here as recently as 2 years ago.

Hike Description

A true gem in Kananaskis Country! The hike offers opportunities to take great photos of forest floors with lots of greens and moving water. You also get a chance to see and feel a real glacier.

After walking along a creek through dense forest for about 2 km, the trail reaches the base of a steep rock formation. To your right is a beautiful waterfall. In spring and summer you may have to cross a creek and some snow. Follow the trail through very dense bush vegetation. Usually there are some orange ribbons indicating the trail. Don't worry, you can't get lost. Just aim for the steep, open area to your left.

The trail gets very steep now. There is loose rock here; hiking poles are a definite plus. Up the first steep section and hang to your right. A flat area opens up which is good for a little break. Follow the trail further up for about another kilometer. The trail becomes less defined from here on. My suggestion would be to stay on top of the moraine. Tracking on the map stops here. Keep walking for another kilometer or so, and you will reach the foot of the glacier. Again, be careful.

A note: This is a nice hike as long as people don't do silly things.