Powderface Ridge

Where:

• Powderface Ridge

 

When:

• September 6, 2025

 

Who:

• Ed, Craig, Dave, Neil, Kardy, Erin, Dave, Janet, Roger, Carolyn, Kirk

 

Trailhead:

• from Bragg Creek take Highway 66 west to the end of the road, where it intersects with Powderface Trail
• park your vehicle on the side of the road
• from here you carpool 7 km up the Powderface Road to the trailhead on the right (east) side of the road

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• 10 km
• 560 meters of elevation (saves 150 meters vs. starting at the south end)
• the trail starts through a forest of lodgepole pine and then begins to climb moderately
• after an hour, you break out into an open pass, and at the four way junction, keep right to ascend the ridge
• keep an eye out for two long poles that mark where the trail descends from the wind scoured crest
• the final 1.5 km plunges relentlessly down a rocky, forested slope until you emerge onto Highway 66
• the hike took us just over three hours

 

 

Interesting notes:

• Powderface Ridge is named after Tom Powderface, a Stoney Indian who resided in the Bragg Creek area

• the ridge offers some of the best panoramic views of the East edge of the Rockies range, and in particular, the serrated crest of Nihanni Ridge
• other views include Banded Peak, Mt. Cornwall, and Mt. Glasgow to the south and Moose Mountain to the north
• the road is closed Dec 1 – May 14