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Mt. Allen/Centennial Ridge

Mt. Allen/Centennial Ridge near Kananaskis, AB

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This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars

16 kms
10hours
difficult
Hiking
Fall, Summer
Kananaskis, AB

bfcoffey

LARGER MAP

NTS Map: 082J14.

Elevation Gain: 1,400 m (4,592 ft).

Centennial Ridge is the highest maintained trail in the Canadian Rockies. Built by the Rocky Mountain Ramblers hiking club from Calgary in 1967, it is the most demanding and impressive day hike in Kananaskis Country. Unusual rock formations and great views all along the long ridge. This trail can be done from Kananaskis village area or from Dead Man's Flats near Canmore. The 16 km distance is from one end or the other (and back). At the sign in the Ribbon Creek parking lot, go north on Hidden Trail. After hiking about 200 meters, turn left and start the long climb to Centennial. Due to various old roads to the Mine Scar, the trail is well marked at its many junctions. After leaving the last of these roads, it's a moderate ascent through aspens to finally reach open slopes. Now it starts getting tough with an ascent of 600 m in less than 2 km (1900' in 1.2 mi). As you make your way up this strenuous section, an imposing rock step leading to the broad Olympic Summit appears in full view. Further along the ridge you encounter the rock garden, a cluster of large conglomerate rocks. As you reach the end of the rock garden, a row of conglomerate rock pinnacles appear on the edge of the ridge. At this point, you begin the arduous final ascent of the summit. As you make your way up, at one of your many rest stops, you can glance back and admire a view of the rock garden from above. About an hour after leaving the rock garden, the summit finally looms close by.

Summit views of the surrounding Rockies are impressive; also the town of Canmore. Return the same way unless you wish to take the north route to Dead Man's Flat beside the Trans-Canada highway.

Distance of 16km is out and back. Time is around 10 hours.

Current conditions:

Directions:

Ribbon Creek parking lot off Highway 40 in Kananaskis.

By Posted By: tyfung - Mon Jul 05 17:55:50 EDT 2010 Upside High elevation, chanllenging trails, unique geographical features, spectacular scenery at the end and during the trail. Very satisfying/accomplished feeling at the end. Downside great elevation gain in short period of walking.
lack of signage when trying to reach the base area
only opened for 4 months of the year due to winter as well as animal breeding season. Comment high elevation provides you with the best scene available even if you have been to rockies multiple times. It feels just like going to CN tower and you get to see Toronto from above. You can walk the streets of toronto forever but seeing it from above is totally different. Similarly, the peak offers high above perspective of the rockies where you see waves after waves of mountain tops. Its worth it, no doubt about it . hopefully you are either experienced hiker are simply young and has brute strength in you to take you through the whole trail - 16km

By Posted By: longleggedhiker - Sun Jul 04 21:11:59 EDT 2010 Upside Outstanding views on the highest maintained trail in Canada, exciting mountain terrain, an outstanding full day hike, whichever way you go. Downside It is a steep climb up to the summit; 1400 m from Piegon Mountain -or- 1350 m from Ribbon Creek

The south ridge up to the summit can bake on a hot summers day; if you are doing the Ribbon Creek to summit and back, START EARLY. Comment This is an excellent hike, definitley one of the best in the Canadain Rockies.

You can do the full traverse from Piegon Mountain to Ribbon Creek (or vise versa) 16.9 km, 8 hours. Requires you to have someone drop you off at one end, and drive to the other end to pick you up. Moderatley popular.

OR North approach to summit and back, 21 km, 12 hours. Least popular option.

OR South approach to summit and back, 12.8 km, 9 hours. Most popular option, by far.

Bring plenty of food and water and don't forget your camera, you will be reaching for it at every twist and trun in the trail.

This trail is subject to an annual srping closure. CLOSED April 1. Re-opens June 21.

By Posted By: unipsycho - Mon Jun 28 03:01:38 EDT 2010 Not Rated Comment Whoops. I can't add. 3.5hrs to reach summit (from 9:30 to 1PM).

By Posted By: unipsycho - Mon Jun 28 02:58:21 EDT 2010 Comment Forgot to include this. Took 4.5 hrs to reach the summit packing in my mountain unicycle. I rode about 10% on the way up. Took 2 hrs to descend from summit as I was able to ride about 33% out.

By Posted By: unipsycho - Mon Jun 28 02:46:00 EDT 2010 Upside Breathtaking views, varied terrain, an absolute amazing summit view in all directions. A superb full day hike. Downside It's a lot of elevation gain to the summit (1500+ m), only open after June 21 due to goat lambs and there was still plenty of snow hiding the trail on June 26.