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Rockies :: Canmore and Bow Valley ::

AM Trail

GPS Track

Panoramic view of Bow Valley from final slope of AM Trail.  Rundle Forebay lower down, Ha Ling center right

June 16, 2020

AM Trail ("AM" presumably stands for "Alpine Meadow") is, according to Daffern K-country guidebook, only hiking trail in Canmore Nordic Centre area.  It is a pleasant few hours exercise ending at great viewpoint below East End of Rundle Cliffs.  Lower part is confusing network of mountain biking trails, but things drastically improve once you reach actual hiking trail.  There are several nice viewpoints along the way and final part is open rise up EEOR shoulder to base of climbing paths.  Panoramic view of Bow Valley are fantastic!   This would also be a great place to watch sunrise.  Partial loop return is feasible in lower part by descending to  Spray Road & hiking via cutline over to Nordic Center.

Park at Nordic Center.  (Alternatively, you can also park at Grassi lakes trailhead and hike back to Spray Road - in that case find trail just opposite traffic sign).  Head up on cycling paths.  From Nordic Centre follow Centennial then up Killer Bees. Junctions are marked.  Spray Road start -- optional loop descent -- joins in near Backdoor junction.  Follow Backdoor to semi open clearing at its highpoint.  Signed Nectar Noodle, that can also be used as descent to Nordic Center, continues on the other side.   Turn left - this is start of AM trail.  From here way is obvious and marked with yellow squares.  Trail climbs moderate at first then steeper and leads to great viewpoint of rough gully between first and second bump of EEOR.  Trail is less defined in this part as it climbs much more steeply past old bike trestle and traverses left (east) to open shoulder with fantastic views of Bow Valley.  These are probably the "Alpine Meadows".  From here it is pleasant 15 min moderate hike to trail end at base of climbing cliffs.   Rough paths can be found at both side of the cliff, but they are climber access trails that lead nowhere.  Best viewpoint is probably just below the cliffs.  Watch for ticks here!   Descend the same way, utilizing one of several possible ways as described above.

Note that AM Trail passes through AB Provincial Park wildlife corridor that is seasonally closed till June 15.

Gallery

North side of Bow Valley telephoto.  The Tit right, Charles Stewart SE above.  Tibitts ridge  just left of center