33.2 miles
Distance
4,772 ft
Climb
-4,813 ft
Descent
1 mile
High Point
This is the High Rockies Trail from Goat Creek to Peninsula.
Detailed Description
All High Rockies is a 33 mile less popular intermediate route located near Canmore Alberta. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. This route includes 11 trails. This route climbs 4,772 ft with a max elevation of 6,767 ft then descends -4,813 ft.
21 Reviews & Comments
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+ 0
toizzz
(Aug 29, 2021 at 8:50)
(Aug 29, 2021 at 8:50)
Trail High Rockies - Buller to Driftwood
The lower section of trail doesnt break the trees except two small views. The higher sections may offer better views.
[Reply]
toizzz
(Aug 29, 2021 at 8:41)
(Aug 29, 2021 at 8:41)
This is not a green trail. Its blue. We rode from the lower end out to the 8.3km mark and back. The bottom first 1k is all shattered rock and not much fun. Then it turns into awesome forrest single track. Not bush style single track. As in no undergrowth that wants to constantly obscure the trail and wack your legs etc. There are many man made and natural jumps spread along the trail. Even a few nice berms. The trail will let you rip a little down hill section and then you have to sit and spin again for awhile. The climbing will knock you back into your biggest easy gear. But you have 16km one way so you should conserve your energy. The views are the real letdown. Imo they remind me more of ridding past a big gravel pit. Dont come here for the view is all. The climbs are steep enough that a novice rider with a heavy bike or not enough gears will do a lot of pushing. Which is why its not a green trail. Imo you would need to be an well conditioned rider to ride this trail out and back without the dreaded bonk. We did out and back half way. 16km total. It was a good ride. But i kind of dread the idea of the full out and back.
[Reply]
Joyfulbiker
(May 18, 2020 at 10:58)
Really muddy and snow covered. Not ready for bikers yet.
[Reply]
iggraham
(Oct 19, 2019 at 14:20)
Dry trail despite the Spray Lakes road having some wet and snowy patches.
[Reply]
iggraham
(Oct 19, 2019 at 14:20)
Dry trail despite the Spray Lakes road having some wet and snowy patches.
[Reply]
MariaB
(Sep 23, 2019 at 4:12)
(Sep 23, 2019 at 4:12)
Is some limited gravel parking on the north and south side of 742 at the trail crossing.
[Reply]
MariaB
(Sep 23, 2019 at 4:00)
(Sep 23, 2019 at 4:00)
Downhill flow in conifers. Shuttle from NW (Chester or Sawmill) for more downhill than up. Very fun and beautiful ride.
[Reply]
bproch
(Jun 24, 2019 at 22:01)
Rode yesterday. MINT CONDITION. Trail flowy and fun. Nothing technical doubletrack. People posting it's difficult I dont understand? Make sure you read the accent and decent numbers.
[Reply]
Kingofthepeaks
(Jun 2, 2019 at 18:32)
(Jun 2, 2019 at 18:32)
Not sure why this trail on gets a 35 in popularity, and according to the app, it's rated as easy.
This trail is seriously under rated for its popularity, it deserves at minimum a 75 for popularity, and should be considered intermediate (not easy as trail forks suggests.)
This trail is a gem, and I can't wait to complete the full trail.
[Reply]
This trail is seriously under rated for its popularity, it deserves at minimum a 75 for popularity, and should be considered intermediate (not easy as trail forks suggests.)
This trail is a gem, and I can't wait to complete the full trail.
dingoboy
(Dec 19, 2018 at 16:43)
(Dec 19, 2018 at 16:43)
3 bikers rode from driftwood lot to avi closure sign at spray lakes day use juntion and back on fat bikes yesterday. Great riding 90% of the trail. Some soft spots with sugar snow that didn't want to pack. Set decent tracks so should be easy going. Last 2km south was pretty tough as there was one old bike track to follow. Like riding a 2x4. Need more traffic there to pack things down and widen the track. Other than that it was awesome. Studs not needed but fat tires a must. Wont get anywhere on skinnys. Too much snow and snowing the whole time we were out.
[Reply]
shaungair
(May 19, 2018 at 19:21)
South of driftwood its definitely not a green trail. Rates a blue from there on - steeper sections with lots of loose rock.
[Reply]
warrenmacdonald
(Aug 25, 2017 at 21:52)
I've now ridden most of this trail on a Lasher Sport ATH (all terrain handcycle), and have to say with front wheel drive some sections are super challenging. I couldn't have done them without my partner pushing me up a bunch of the steeper hills where I just couldn't get traction on the front wheel. Will post in more detail at some point section by section, but would say that a rear wheel drive HC, like a One-Off, Reactive Adaptions "Bomber" or SportOn Explorer would do just fine, though in my mind these bikes are just not as enjoyable for this type of XC riding.
[Reply]
blkslac
(Aug 1, 2017 at 18:50)
The trail starts on the south side of the Sawmill trail head access road, just as it enters the parking area. After a bit of a dull climb at the start, your in for a long, fun downhill run.
[Reply]
blkslac
(Aug 1, 2017 at 18:30)
After climbing back up to the suspension bridge, the trail is fast and flowy all the way to the crossing at the Spray Lakes Rd.
[Reply]
blkslac
(Jul 29, 2017 at 23:07)
July 26, 2017. Chester parking lot access closed due to grizzlies in the area. The trail is still open though.
[Reply]
teleskier
(Jun 18, 2017 at 8:46)
We rode it June 16th from Driftwood, 35 km return and 3200 vertical feet. Amazing trail conditions, wouldn't classify this as green due to it's length and some of the corners may present challenges to beginners. Really flowy and great for an all day in the saddle ride! Can't wait for phase 2 to be smooth and complete to Elk pass. I posted some recent photos of the truly amazing day out.
[Reply]
tbkfan
(Sep 25, 2016 at 10:01)
(Sep 25, 2016 at 10:01)
Rode Buller to Driftwood yesterday with a few younger/beginner riders. There is a fair amount of climbing involved for beginners, but none of it is steep or sustained. The trail is beautifully built and the scenery is pretty hard to beat for such an accessible trail.
[Reply]
GregandStaish
(Jul 9, 2016 at 18:49)
Lost a Suunto watch on the High Rockies bike trail Saturday July 9th, 2016 near driftwood area. It has a bright purple wristband. If found please contact 403-679-1266. Thank you! - Beer reward if returned.
[Reply]
Trails in Route
| 2,024 ft | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 10 miles | |||||
| 1,627 ft | |||||
| 3 miles | |||||
| 4 miles | |||||
| 5 miles | |||||
| 4 miles | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 2 miles |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlue
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Route TypePoint to Point
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Bikepacking
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eBike Allowed
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Bike typeAM, XC, Fat
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Physical ratingHard
More Stats for All High Rockies mountain bike route
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Altitude change-41 ft
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Altitude min5,547 ft
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Altitude start5,588 ft
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Altitude end5,548 ft
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Grade-0%
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Grade max-41.6%
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Grade min54.2%
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Distance climb15 miles
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Distance down15 miles
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Distance flat4 miles
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3D
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
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- no data
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
- Downhill Ski
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Photos
Videos
FatBiking High Rockies Trail | Dec 2016
1419 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jan 16, 2017
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By JeffBartlettMedia & contributors
- #17233 - 2,286 views