New Bike Trails in the Elbow

The Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance (CMBA) has completed the four-section re-route of Tom Snow Trail. The first two sections, constructed by hand, avoid some of the worst sections of Tom Snow. They are narrow and winding and not really suitable for equestrians. Hikers aiming for the more scenic northern section of the trail can shortcut up the cutline from the end of the first re-route to gain Tom Snow half-way down the big hill.

The last two sections of the re-route were built by machine with some hand finishing and are wider and less winding. They are among the best sections of trail that have been built recently in K Country in terms of routing and construction. The third section climbs onto the timbered ridge between Ranger Creek and Tom Snow. There is one good viewpoint about a third of the way up. Just before the end of the ridge, the trail descends to Tom Snow. The fourth re-route heads off round the end of a ridge to the Line Block Valve at the end of Shell’s resource road and joins Moosepackers. Great job CMBA!

Over the past couple of years another group of mountain bikers has built a trail across the high ground north of Fullerton Loop (name needed) that joins Elbow Trail to the ridge on the third re-route (we need a name for this hill too!). They also built a section that leads down to Fullerton Loop; while Fullerton is closed (officially) to bikers, it makes a good connector for hikers.

These new trails offer users many new loops of varying length and difficulty.

Click on the map below to download an 11″ x 8.5″ version.