Lichen laden trees |
A rare peek through the trees |
Old man’s beard moustache! |
One of many foot high pinecone middens! |
3/4 Family Photo on the Icy Trail |
Heading down the icy trail |
View of Cascade Mountain from Upper Stoney Loop Summit |
Big POG at Upper Stoney Loop Summit |
Insider Tips: The trail is treacherous when icy. Check conditions before you go and bring ice cleats, crampons, microspikes, or snowshoes.
Happy Dance on Upper Stoney Loop |
Upper Stoney Loop Trail At a Glance
Distance: 4.4 km round trip
Elevation Gain: 185 m (610 feet)
Time: Allow 2.5-3.5 hours with young children.
Trailhead: Follow the signs to Mount Norquay ski resort and turn right at the main parking lot (6 km from downtown Banff). The trailhead kiosk is immediately on your right when you turn right into the parking lot.
Geocaching? “Stoney Squaw Mountain Summit” was near the trail and easy to find!
Stroller friendly? It is too narrow, bumpy (lots of rocks and tree roots), and steep for sports strollers, so bring a baby backpack for children that need to be carried.
Bike friendly? The trail is a multi-use trail and is used by mountain bikers in the summer. Due to the steep incline and bumps, this is definitely not a kid-friendly mountain bike trail.
Washrooms: The closest washrooms are at Mount Norquay’s North American Lodge (check ahead for seasonal closures).
Fun Fact: The mountain is named after a loyal Assiniboine wife who hunted this mountain and provided for her husband for several months while he was ill.