This snowshoe gives you a sense of wilderness and great views on an adventure that can be done in half a day.
This hike takes you behind Mount Stelfox to a great viewpoint looking down into Coral Canyon and up the massive valley of Coral Creek.
With a large, easy trail to follow, this adventure takes you quickly into the backcountry giving you a feeling of remoteness. There are also impressive open views up the Cline River valley and towards Sentinel Mountain. This is one of the better options for snowshoeing in the area when there is snow.
At a Glance
Distance: 7.5 km return
Elevation gain: ~190 m
Challenge Level: Moderate | Family Friendly
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Minimal
Management: Kiska/Wilson & Job/Cline PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: Horses and OHV (trapline use only)
Trailhead: The trail starts at the Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area, approximately 48 km west of Nordegg and 42 km east of Saskatchewan River Crossing. Toilets are available at the trailhead.
On this adventure, you will walk through the forest, climb up and down old glacier moraines, experience amazing views over the canyon and stand below a stunning icefall along the Cline River. There is a little bit of everything on this hike that will be sure to satisfy a multitude of tastes. The parking lot fills on weekends and there is almost always at least one group on the trail on weekdays. With this trail becoming more popular every year, please tread lightly, pack out your garbage and pick up your dog’s poop!
We’ve been offering this as a guided hike for almost a decade at Nordegg Adventures. Until the pandemic we only saw the occasional hiker or ice climber, now it is becoming a popular trail. Keep in mind that what we find busy would be considered a quiet trail in Banff or Jasper.
At a Glance
Distance: 3.4 km return
Elevation gain: ~75 m
Challenge Level: Moderate | Family Friendly
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska/Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: This trail starts at the Pinto Lake Staging Area, located approximately 50 km west of Nordegg and 42 km east of Saskatchewan River Crossing. Toilets are available at the trailhead.
Head Out On Your Own
Distances
0.6 km | Short but steep hill
0.9 km | Trail narrows
1.0 km | Abraham Lake views
1.1 km | Short but steep hill
1.2 km | Narrow canyon
1.3 km | Icefalls viewpoint
1.4 km | Canyon viewpoint
1.5 km | Canyon acess
1.7 km | Icefalls
The Trailhead
The Pinto Lake Staging Area where this trail starts is easy to miss as you drive down the highway. There is a small parking area near the road, the only place to park in a snowy winter, with a larger parking area a little further down the driveway in an abandoned gravel pit. Alberta Environment and Parks has plans to improve this parking lot and a toilet has already been added in recent years.
This trailhead serves a few different trails and there are no clear signs for most of them. The Cline River Canyon trail starts on the right-hand side as you enter the gravel pit. Going up the old access road you quickly gain a view of Mount William Booth and the Whiterabbit Valley on the other side of Abraham Lake. The trail goes through an area often used as a campsite before entering the pine forest. The next section is on a fairly flat plateau with the Cline River at the bottom of the valley on your right.
The Forest Walk
The walk through the forest is a pleasant one with glimpses of the White Goat Wilderness Area and the Cline River Valley whenever the trees open up. There is one short but steep hill in this section as you make your way from one plateau to the next. It can get quite icy but a pair of ice cleats makes it easily manageable.
Soon the trail narrows and drops down to your right. There are two openings in the forest ahead affording distant views of Windy Point Ridge and Mount Abraham. These openings in the forest are caused by water seeping out of the ground, causing the area to slowly slump toward the river below. Continue on the trail ahead, making your way down another short but somewhat steeper hill. The trail from here changes slightly from year to year, making its way through the forest to the first view of the Cline River Canyon. Be careful here: the edge of the canyon is unmarked and slopes toward the cliff. Make sure to stay at least at body length away from the edge.
This is one of the skinniest and most dramatic sections of the canyon, making it hard to see the river at the bottom. You can see multiple icefalls plunging over the cliffs on the other side of the canyon.
The Canyon
Follow the trail to the left to another viewpoint with a natural railing made of rock. This is your first view of the icefalls where you’re going. There are a number of great viewpoints ahead on the trail, looking straight at the canyon and the peaks framing the valley ahead.
To access the canyon, continue on the trail until you reach an opening in the forest that looks like the end of the trail. Access the small stream on your right and make your way down the drainage. This section is a mix of snow, ice and rocks depending on how much snow the winter has brought. In most years ice cleats work best while snowshoes are great in years where heavy snow fills in the bottom of the gully.
IN THE CANYON
Once at the river, take a left and head towards the icefalls, passing over river rocks and a small water source coming out of the rocks. This source isn’t particularly warm but runs all winter long, even on the coldest days.
An extra jacket will help you enjoy your time here since it’s often much colder in the canyon. Take your time to enjoy the peacefulness of the place, the ice covering the canyon walls and the river running through it. The ice on the walls comes from water seeping above the canyon walls, not from a creek or a stream. On some days you can see the water slowly dripping down the icicles and they get bigger as the season goes on.
A few things to keep in mind to ensure a safe experience include:
Stay on the ice that is sitting on rocks at the base of the icefalls. The river in the canyon freezes from time to time but we don’t recommend going up the canyon since the river is deep in sections, the ice is unstable and there is a risk of falling rocks or ice.
Ice climbers break off a lot of ice chunks, some quite large, while climbing. Stay a good distance back to avoid getting hit.
The ice does break off the wall and falls down below from time to time. This mostly happens when we have large temperature fluctuations and we see this often when the temperatures suddenly drop to -30C. Enjoy the views without getting too close to the canyon walls and stay aware of your surroundings.
THE RETURN
Retrace your footsteps to return to the trailhead.
A short hike with great views of the Kootenay Plains
This short hike brings you up for some great views of the Kootenay Plains and BATUS Canyon, an area that was once a popular training ground for the British Army Training Unit Suffield and nowadays with ice climbers throughout the winter.
The trail, similar to the one described in the David Thompson Highway – A Hiking Guide, takes you to a viewpoint overlooking the entrance of the canyon.
The first section is well-travelled thanks to ice climbers accessing the canyon during the winter months. The last section is an easy scramble to the viewpoint.
The canyon is 200 metres deep and was a popular training area for the British Army Training Unity Suffield (BATUS) between 1979 and 1992.
For years the soldiers spend time on a 3 weeks training course in the area, learning a variety of mountain skills. Nowadays they have moved their operations elsewhere but you will see encounter the Canadian Army training in the area from time to time.
At a Glance
Distance: 2.6 km return
Elevation gain: ~345 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Minimal
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: Approximately 55 km west of Nordegg and 35 km east of Saskatchewan River Crossing on Highway 11. Look for a larger creek bed crossing the road between Cline River and Preacher’s Point with a dirt road on the lakeside of the highway.
The Trail Guide
VIEWPOINT | 0.9 KM
0.6 km | Junction: Keep Right to Access the Viewpoint
0.9 km | Viewpoint
CANYON ACCESS | 0.6 KM
1.2 km | Junction: Keep Right to Access the Canyon
1.5 km | Waterfalls in the Canyon
RETURN TRAIL | 1.1 KM
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead
THE JOURNEY
From the highway, follow the well-established trail going up on the right side of the creek. The first section is an easy but steady climb and as you gain elevation the views of the Preacher’s Point area improve. The Survey Hill trail is the area across Abraham Lake from this hike.
THE VIEWPOINT
At the junction, continue straight to access the viewpoint overlooking the canyon. The trail is less travelled from here and before long turns into a short scramble up an open slope. At the top, find your way to the end of the ridge on the left for the best views of the canyon.
THE CANYON
Make your way back down the slope and head back to the junction you passed on the way up. Take a right to follow the well-established trail to access the canyon.
The trail makes its way down to the creek and from there heads up toward the canyon until your reach the waterfall blocking the way.
THE RETURN TRAIL
Head back to the trailhead following the same route as you did on the way up.
The lesser known neighbour to Coliseum Mountain, the Eagle Mountain Ridge hike takes you to amazing views of the Rockies and foothills.
The ridge walk gives a different perspective on the area, away from the crowds yet overlooking Nordegg and the David Thompson Highway.
I found this hike almost by accident. The Miners’ Cafe in Nordegg posted a picture of the area and it looked well worth the hike. The first attempt on a rainy and muddy day, following the directions from the David Thompson Highway Hiking Guide, wasn’t overly successful. It also turned out that the directions were for the summit, not the ridge I was looking for.
My second attempt, from the Beaverdam PRA was much more fruitful, taking me along a nice trail through the forest up to the ridge, overlooking the townsite, with views of the Rockies to the west and far onto the horizon to the east. Eagle Mountain Ridge is not as busy as it’s neighbour, Coliseum Mountain, and offers views that are at least as spectacular.
At a Glance
Distance: 15.4 km return
Elevation gain: ~660 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Minimal
Management: Beaverdam PRA & Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: Mountain biking
Trailhead: The trail starts at the Beaverdam Provincial Recreation Area, 6 km east of Nordegg on Highway 11.
THE TRAIL GUIDE
THE SERVICE ROAD | 2.2 KM
0.5 km | Locked gate
1.5 km | Old railway next to the road
1.8 km | Crossing the old railway and abandoned overflow campground
2.2 km | End of the service road
THE FOREST | 3.9 KM
2.2 km | Follow the trail into the woodlot
2.9 km | Continue on the main trail, straight ahead
3.0 km | The trail enters the forest
5.0 km | Continue on the main trail, straight ahead
5.4 km | Steep section
6.1 km | Path to the ridge
THE RIDGE | 1.6 KM
6.1 km | Follow the path at the wood cairn
6.5 km | Base of the ridge
7.7 km | End of the ridge
RETURN HIKE | 7.7 KM
THE SERVICE ROAD | 2.2 KM
The first section of the trail is on the service road leading to an abandoned overflow campground and woodlot. Park your vehicle at the Beaverdam Provincial Recreation Area campground and head back on the service road toward a locked gate at 0.5 km. The road heads into the forest and gradually up the hill. Walk past the various trails and paths along the way, staying on the road until you reach the abandoned overflow campground at 1.8 km.
After 1.5 km you’ll notice the old railway, now a quad trail, running along the road. The road will be crossing the trail shortly, taking you into the abandoned campground.
The abandoned overflow campground is now used for staff accommodation, firewood and equipment storage by a local campground operator. There is no camping allowed. Please stay clear of all equipment and property as you follow the road along Martin Creek to the woodlot and the next section of the trail.
THE FOREST | 3.9 KM
At the end of the campground, follow the trail heading into the woodlot. The trail is well-established and easy to find.
Keep an eye out for wildlife, flowers and berries as you walk through the logged area. The trail to the right at 2.9 km provides access to a climbing area. The Eagle Mountain Ridge trail is straight ahead.
From there the trail head into the forest for a pleasant hike with a steady uphill. While the trail is enjoyable the views are limited for most of the next 3 km.
The route is straightforward and at 5 km continues straight ahead where a narrower trail with flagging tape heads into the forest. It becomes obvious at this point that we’ve already gained significant elevation and there are glimpses of the views to come.
At last we can see through the trees the ridge we’re heading for. A quick glance at the cliff bands gives us a heads up that we have some elevation to gain ahead. The steepest section of the trail is coming up ahead. It is relatively short and with hiking poles there’s nothing to worry about, even on a rainy day.
Once you get your first glance at Coliseum Mountain and Baldy you know that the views from the ridge will be worth the hike.
The next junction is easy to miss; make sure to keep an eye for a piece of flagging tape and a cairn made of logs and stumps to your left.
RIDGEWALK | 1.6 KM
From the marker, follow the path into the trees making your way to the base of the ridge approximately 400 metres away. The summit of Eagle Mountain is directly to the south at this point. This is the destination of the hike described in the David Thompson Highway guidebook.
Once you reach the base of the ridge there is a nice quiet spot tempting you to stop for lunch. Continue on for the short walk up the ridge for even better options for a lunch and a rest.
Walk along the length on the ridge for great views of the forest area to the east toward Rocky Mountain House and views of Nordegg, the historic mine site, Abraham Lake and the front range of the Rockies.
THE RETURN TRAIL
Head back to the trailhead following the same route as you did on the way up.
Coliseum Mountain with its “cap” gives you 360-degree panorama of the foothills and Rockies, making this a classic hike in Alberta’s West Country.
Published on August 29, 2013 | Last updated on May 3, 2023
One of the most popular hikes in Nordegg to the distinctive summit overlooking the town. This trail guide is for the official trail. There are two other options to reach the summit and we’ll add these here at some point in the future.
Coliseum Mountain dominates the skyline by Nordegg at 2040 metres high. The mountain was possibly mentioned in a map sketched by Sir James Hector showing the route taken by the Palliser Expedition in 1858.
Martin Nordegg claimed to have climbed the mountain in 1913 and by 1925 a fire lookout, the first in the province, was built on the mountain. Today, only a pile of rubbles is left of it and the active fire lookout is on Sunda Mountain to the north.
At a Glance
Distance: 12.6 km return
Elevation gain: ~705 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: The Coliseum Mountain Trail Staging Area is located in the Nordegg North subdivision. From highway 11, follow Shunda Creek Road and keep right onto Baldy Mountain Road. Take the next right on Eagle Drive. The trailhead parking lot is at the end of the street. Dry toilets are available at the trailhead.
The Trail Guide
COLISEUM MOUNTAIN ACCESS | 6.3 KM
0.3 km | Stream crossing
1.3 km | Old access trail
4.3 km | Viewpoint and scree slope
6.3 km | Summit viewpoint and old fire lookout
RETURN TRAIL | 6.3 KM
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead
THE JOURNEY
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the signs to the Coliseum Mountain trail. The first section of the trail is newer having been built after the new subdivision and making the hike a few kilometres shorter.
The only stream crossing on this hike is near the beginning. The rest of the trail is dry and usually in great condition.
After 1.3 km the trail reconnects with the older trail. From there it’s a steady ascent with switchbacks making it easy to gain most of the vertical on this hike. Along the way the views starts to get better with glimpses of what’s to come.
The trail eventually levels off after 4 km where there is an informal campsite and great views of Nordegg and Abraham Lake. The trail continues across the scree slope and then along the ridge toward the site of the old fire lookout, another 2 km away.
Hiking along the ridge gives the opportunity for spectacular views of the mountains to the east, the Brazeau range and the forested area to the east.
The last step is to ascent the cap where a trail takes you through the cliff band to the summit. The 360 degree views makes it obvious why this was chosen as a fire lookout in the 1920’s. Sadly little remains of the fire lookout, except for a few concrete blocks and metal pieces.
THE RETURN
To head back to the trailhead, simply retrace your footsteps.
Scramble up the creek bed to a cave and great views of Abraham Lake. The popular Hoodoo Creek hike offers great views the entire way along highway 11.
An unofficial trail takes you in and out of the creek bed, making your way up the narrowing valley pass two hoodoos on the way to the shallow cave.
Hoodoos like the ones you’ll see on this hike are evidence of the glaciers that once covered the area. As they advanced and retreated over the region, they carried rocks of various size and deposited them along the way.
The deposit, called till, contained a mixture of clay, sand fragments and occasionaly large rocks. In some cases like here, the calcium carbonate in the limestone cemented the deposits together.
A the water eroded the deposits, those hardened deposits remained as pillars called hoodoos.
At a Glance
Distance: 3.8 km return
Elevation gain: ~360 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: There and back
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: None
Trailhead: The trail starts along highway 11, 2.8 km west of the Windy Point access. There is a cairn with an informal marker on the side of the road where the trail starts and Hoodoo Creek is now marked with a green highway sign. This is 52 km east of Saskatchewan Crossing and 39 km west of Nordegg.
THE TRAIL GUIDE
ACCESS TRAIL | 1.9 KM
1.0 km | Hoodoos
1.8 km | Cave Access
1.9 km | Cave
RETURN TRAIL | 1.9 KM
Retrace your steps back to the trailhead
THE JOURNEY
Unfortunately this trail can be a little hard to find at first. Alberta Transportation has now added a green highway sign for Hoodoo Creek, making it easier to find the trailhead but there is still no trailhead parking lot. On weekends it’s often easier given the number of cars parked on the side of the road, otherwise it is the first major creek after Windy Point when you’re heading west. There is a cairn on the side of the road with a stick and quite often flagging tape marking the start of the trail.
The trail is on the right side of the creek and right from the start there are some great views of Abraham Lake and surrounding mountains.
For the first kilometre, the trail is in good shape and stays to the right of the creek while it steadily gains elevation. The views improve as you go and before long you’ll reach the hoodoos that are the namesake for this creek.
After the hoodoos the trail disappears and the next section is a mix of walk and scramble along the creek bed.
The access to the cave is up a steep scree slope. It is a well used path and quite easy to find.
EXTENDING YOUR HIKE
If you have time after visiting the cave it is well worth continuing up the creek for 300 to 600 metres. At a fork in the creek there is a nice cascade down the side of the mountain and going further on the right fork gives some nice views of the V shaped valley, Mount Michener and Abraham Lake below.
THE RETURN
To head back to the trailhead, simply retrace your footstep. Walking down the creek all the way to the highway is an option but the trail is faster.
A WORD OF CAUTION
This is a pleasant hike usually suitable for families. Too often however we encounter unprepared groups on this hike. You will be hiking on a creek bed, over boulders and up a scree slope which all require proper footwear.
The creek is very shallow, not much more than a stream, on most days. It is obvious however from the width of the creek bed, the size of the boulders and the signs of slides that this hike can be treacherous on a rainy day or during a storm.
THE NARROW CANYONS OF THE CLINE RIVER AND CORAL CREEK
Coral Canyon is probably one of the most delightful half-day hikes in the area with gorgeous views and narrow canyons along the way.
While the hike itself is not overly long, the perfect lunch spot awaits with dramatic views of Coral Creek. Plan on spending some extra time on this hike.
This hike is located in the Cline River Area. It is an area that includes alpine, subalpine and boreal upland ecoregions with a significant population of grizzly bears, elk, goats and mountain sheeps.
At a Glance
Distance: 7.7 km return
Elevation gain: ~190 m
Challenge Level: Moderate
Trail type: Partial Loop
Congestion: Moderate
Management: Kiska / Wilson PLUZ
Other Trail Uses: Horses
Trailhead: Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area.
Trail Guide
From the trailhead parking lot, head toward the trail kiosk where you will find the well defined path.
A short walk from the parking lot (approximately 100m) you will come across a stream crossing. There are usually enough rocks and logs to make it across with dry feet but a pair of hiking poles is helpful for balance as you cross this slippery section.
As the trail starts to climb after the stream crossing you will notice a smaller trail to the left heading into the forest. This is the trail we will follow here since it offers the best views of the Cline River and Coral Creek canyons. For those looking for an easier option, the horse trail alternative is described further down.
The June 2013 flood washed out the trail in many sections. A new trail has formed along the river. Remember throughout the first section that although the old trail is visible, many sections are unstable. Stick with the new path.
From there the trail follows the Cline River. The trail start to climb away from the river as you approach the Cline River canyon. From there follow along the canyon until you reach the confluence of the Cline River and Coral Creek.
At this point you will reach a viewpoint overlooking the Coral Creek canyon and a junction with the horse trail (the horse trail veers off a short distance from the viewpoint along the cut line).
Continue along the canyon, following the path through the forest and along the ridge until you meet the horse trail. Follow the sign for Coral Creek. From here you are approximately 500 metres from the viewpoints.
As the trail reaches the top of the hill heading into the forest, follow the smaller trail leading down toward the canyon and a great viewpoint of the narrow canyon and broad valley above. This makes for a great lunch spot but we’d suggest heading a little further along the trail and down to the creek.
Head back up to the horse trail and follow it into the forest and down the hill on the other side all the way to the creek.
On the way back, follow the trail into the forest for a more relaxing adventure back to the trailhead. You will see the trail on your left shortly after the viewpoint access.
ALTERNATE TRAIL
The trail described above is easy with some steeper sections. Those looking for an easier option can follow the horse trail at the first junction, shortly after the creek crossing. While on the main horse trail you will come across many trails to your right, heading into the forest. Keep going straight on the main path until the well used horse path veers right into the forest. At this junction, stay on the horse trail for the easier option or continue straight ahead to join the more scenic hiking trail.
Even if you intend to follow the horse trail at this point, we strongly encourage you to go straight ahead catch an up close view of the canyon. It is a short distance away and you can easily back track to this junction to resume your journey on the horse trail if you choose to.
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