Mountain Shadow Trail

The Mountain Shadow Trail (MST) offers travelers a unique opportunity to enjoy sub alpine wilderness along the front ranges of the great Canadian Rockies.

With comfortable lodge or cabin accommodations conveniently situated along the MST, novice backcountry enthusiasts can participate in a wide variety of year-round activities.

Trail Environment: The MST is surrounded by the natural beauty of the front ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The trail traverses babbling brooks and gently rolling hills in a sub-alpine environment, complete with coniferous and deciduous forests and open, grassy meadows. The regions' wildflowers and remote setting attract a variety of forest songbirds and wildlife.

NTS Map: 083f05


Location: Easily accessible from Hinton, Alberta, the MST runs north and south along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies.

The north trailhead is located adjacent to the Rock Lake Road on the Wild Hay River, which is approximately 18 km east of Rock Lake. The north part of the trail starts at an elevation of 4,300 ft, gradually climbing to a high point of 4,600 ft. The trail then descends into the meadows leading to the drainage of Ice Water Creek. The trail continues descending down the Solomon Creek valley to the southern trailhead.

The southern trailhead is at the Black Cat Guest Ranch at an elevation of 3,350 ft. The total distance from the south trailhead to the north trailhead is 30 km.


Directions:
North Trailhead: Go west from Hinton under 5km to Hiway 40. Travel 23.0 km N on HiWay 40 and turn Left (just past Jarvis and Cache lakes). Go 18 km west on this road. Look for trailhead.