Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaChester-Sawmill
Canmore, Alberta -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (3 votes)
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Trail TypeMixed
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Bike TypeAM, XC, Fat, Adaptive MTB
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Climb DifficultyGreen
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Physical RatingEasy
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Dogs AllowedYes
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Global Ranking
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Local Popularity45 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
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Year Opened2016
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Land ManagerAlberta Parks
This section of the High Rockies trail begins from the Goat Creek parking lot and is the starting point if riding the entire trail from north to south. Descend the Goat Creek trail to the Banff park boundary, the first signed trail junction. As of May 2016 there was no sign indicating the trail to the left is the High Rockies trail, but it is. This section of trail primarily follows old service roads used to access power lines. The scenery is outstanding but the riding itself is fairly ordinary. There is a short, but beautifully built, boardwalk section just before Goat Pond. Traveling south one gains altitude fairly steadily but never steeply. Cross the dam at the north end of Spray Lake and keep right, the trail parallels the lake all the way up to the Driftwood parking area and comes out on the just south of the Driftwood parking area access road. The trail continues on the east side of the road with a very visible climb back up into the trees, the character of the riding changes to up and down single track. Let the fun begin.
The Original trail report was close, but it missed a large section in the middle and a suggested that you have to ride the gravel road. It's all one trail, no need to break it up. Strava has the correct trails as well.
Access Info
From Canmore follow signs to the Canmore Nordic Centre then keep driving past the Nordic Centre up the Spray Lakes Road (AKA Smith Dorian Road). This soon turns to dirt and cuts across the steep lower slopes of the East End of Rundle (EEOR). 10 minutes up the dirt road you'll level out and pass a long, narrow body of water, Whiteman's Pond. As you begin to descend slightly you'll find the Goat Creek carpark on your right. If it's a weekend it will be packed with cars as this is the starting point not only for the High Rockies trail but also the Goat Creek trail (drops you in Banff) and the hiking routes up both Ha Ling and EEOR.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for High Rockies - Buller to Driftwood bike trail trail
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Altitude change-402 ft
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Altitude min5,597 ft
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Altitude max6,007 ft
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Altitude start5,999 ft
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Altitude end5,597 ft
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Grade-0.751%
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Grade max-36.904%
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Grade min37.581%
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Distance climb4 miles
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Distance down5 miles
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Distance flat3,033 ft
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Avg time01:55:44
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Avg reverse time02:23:44
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
High Rockies -... Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 0 rides
All
- 238 rides
Photos
Routes with this trail
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+ 1





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.



Nearby Trails
- High Rockies - Buller To Rummel 2,244 ft
- Watridge Lake Trail 3 miles
- Mount Shark 15 Km Loop 3 miles
- High Rockies - Rummel To Chester 4 miles
- Rummel Lake Trail 4 miles
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