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Rockies :: Banff-Louise :: Cascade Fireroad

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View from the porch of Stoney Creek Ranger cabin at 13.5 km.  Second (not used) building lower right; North end of Cascade Mtn. upper left

Cascade Fireroad is one of prime cross-country ski or mountain biking trips in Banff National Park.  Old Road is mostly flat; main elevation gain is near the start from Minnewanka road.  For winter trips it is usually  track-set in both directions to the bridge at km6;  beyond it is often just single track.  With full day on disposal it is worth skiing or cycling to Stony Ranger cabin for good exercise as well as bit of history of Banff NP.  If cycling, Stony Creek bridge ~1km past Ranger Cabin is worth visiting as well as brief hike on Elk Pass trail to Cascade River Ford. Valley is well sheltered and safe in winter conditions.  In summer it is good mountain-biking trip, but be aware that it is also popular horse-back riding route.  Expect company on sunny winter weekends.  Loop return via Elk Pass Trail to Norquay Ski Area is sometimes done as summer backpack, but this trip can not be recommended as views are mostly limited considering significant overall distance.   Alternate extension is rarely done ascent of Elaphus Peak;  this is very long day and best left for late summer because of non-trivial ford of Cascade River.  It is also possible to make several day backpack ending at Ya-Ha-Tinda area, but transport logistics for such trip are formidable.

1.  Cross Country Skiing
2.  Mountain Biking

Cross Country Skiing

January 20, 2017

Park at Lake Minnewanka.  In winter old Minnwanka Road is closed, so you will have to drive in via Two Jack Lake.  Walk around the gate and ski down the road to first major curve;  Cascade Fireroad starts on the right (north) side.   Ski up the road. Incline is gentle for ~2km and then completely flattens out. At km 6 brief descent brings you to the bridge over Cascade River;  this is usual turnaround point for shorter half-day trips.  Continuing on the other side going is pretty much similar.   For next couple of kilometers there is often some debris from trees that considerably slow you down on skis.  Around km 10 portion of the road is sometimes iced and caution is needed;  you might have to take skis off. Finally just past km 13 watch for side spur descending to Cascade River on the left side to the Stony Creek Ranger Cabin.   There is horse coral, outhouse and second building (not used).  Cabin is often vacant and locked; if using the porch for your lunch break, please leave no trace behind you.

If you have extra time and energy, Fireroad is usually trackset for another ~1km to the bridge over Stony Creek.  Return is the same way and it will be faster as there is more downhill

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Mountain Biking

May 21, 2021

After snow has melted mountain biking Cascade FR is great back-country trip.  Starting from official trailhead at upper Bankhead on Lake Minnewanka road adds ~1km (each way).  After joining winter route, first couple of km are steady uphill and you might have to push depending on your leg strength (great coasting on return!).  Grade then flattens passing by several ponds before dropping down to Cascade Bridge.  This is good spot for a break and back-country CR6 campground, just after crossing the bridge,  is excellent spot.  Beyond road is more rough  with more steady uphill approaching Stony Ranger Cabin.  Just  before end of cycling at Elk Pass junction there was large washed out section (May '21). 

If first time here, it is well worth doing a bit of exploring on foot.  Scenic Stony creek bridge is ~100m further up the road, while hiking 0.7km down Elk pass trail brings you to Cascade River ford, passing decaying and quite photogenic old Stony bridge (see gallery).  Return will be much faster;  on my trip I took almost 2hrs going in, but less than an hour cycling back.

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