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Rockies :: Kananaskis :: Kidd Creek

GPS Track

Panoramic view down Kidd Creek Drainage to Kananaskis Trail corridor;  Spoon Needle center right,  Opal North and Wedge to its left.   Good Animal trail far center right of the photo leads to a nice viewpoint 10-15 min away

August 4, 2023

Drainage branching off Terrace Trail used in winter by Ice climbers leading to "Kidd Creek Waterfall", breaking east cliffs of Mt. Kidd with surprisingly good views and thoroughly enjoyable half-day hiking trip.  Solitude is almost guaranteed.  Optimal time is mid-May when drainage is flowing from snow melts with plenty of small cascades.  My original trip was in August and everything was almost dry, but I will revisit in Spring and update Gallery.

From Galatea Parking follow popular Lilian Lake trail ~10 min to Terrace Trail junction, just past second bridge and turn right.  Kidd Creek is the first drainage less than 5min along Terrace;  it is not marked but trail soon develops on climber right side becoming well defined and easy to follow.  There is one fairly steep bit where poles will be great asset on descent.  Less than 30 min from Terrace trail exits to treeline, bypasses short cliff on climber left, then continues in moderate grade up grassy right bank.  Great views develop and whole experience becomes much more enjoyable than perhaps expected.  Approaching the cliffs trail slowly disintegrates, but it is possible to reach the waterfall by following rocky drainage to its base marked by end of long black rock (see Gallery).  On my trip I spotted good animal trail on grassy hillside to the left (south) and decided to investigate.  It does not lead far, 10-15min max past the drainage to promontory with excellent viewpoint of Spoon Needle and Kananaskis Valley;  I built small cairn here.  

Return is the same way and will be considerably faster.  Do not try to descend directly to Lilian trail on south side as there are cliffs lower down.

Gallery