Hiking Project Logo

A variety of singletrack, some views, and a bit of everything.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.6

Miles

9.1

KM

Point to Point

5,317' 1,620 m

High

4,701' 1,433 m

Low

841' 256 m

Up

1,410' 430 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors

Description

Ridgeback is one of the newer trails in Kananaskis, built in 2009-2010 and maintained by the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance. It's a mix of machine-built and hand-built construction, designed to provide an alternative to the perrenial wetness of the Tom Snow (South). As a multi-use trail, it has become quite popular with hikers, in addition to mountain bikers, in a short time. It's a new trail, so tweaks and changes are always happening.

Signage is good, with a map at every intersection. The trail is fairly smooth with no extended root or rock sections. There are great views of the valley from the top of the ridge, although you might miss them as you quickly make your way down the 3.0 km descent to the Ranger Creek bridge.

Ridgeback has a bit of everything, providing a significant challenge for hikers of all abilities. The lack of roots and rocks means you can concentrate on enjoying the hike instead of worrying about losing your footing.

Ridgeback and Tom Snow (South) come together at three points, dividing both trails into four sections, all of which are good in either direction. You can mix and match sections of the two trails to extend or shorten your hike. If doing an out-and-back from Station Flats it's worth taking the final section of Tom Snow up to the Packer's Mountain Road and turning left up that to the foot of Moose Packers, where you can begin your return via Ridgeback.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Lindfield

Trail Ratings

  2.0 from 1 vote

#45572

Overall
  2.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
100%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#193

in Alberta

#45,572

Overall
2 Views Last Month
147 Since Aug 18, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.