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| Centennial Ridge Trail, Kananaskis |
Route Description
Take Hidden Trail from Ribbon Creek parking lot. The trailhead is near the information kiosk on the north side of the parking lot. After 300 metres, turn left.
September 2018 update: The first section of Centennial Trail was rebuilt recently, but is well marked so it’s easy to find your way.
From here, the trail gets very steep! You will gain about 600 m over the next 2 kilometres, but it’s totally worth it. Hike through mixed forest to the first lookout (a short ways off trail to the left).
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| First lookout – short detour to the left of the trail, Centennial Ridge |
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| First lookout on Centennial Ridge |
Return to the main trail and continue to gain elevation. You will leave the trees shortly and be surrounded by meadows that are filled with wildflowers in early July. There’s a nice flat area about 3.2 km from the parking lot that makes a nice snack/picnic spot; we call it “second lookout.”
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| Indian paintbrush on Centennial Ridge |
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| Centennial Ridge Trail |
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| Just below the 2nd lookout, Centennial Ridge Trail |
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| 2nd Lookout on Centennial Ridge Trail |
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| Heading back into the aspens to descend. Tons of Indian paintbrush! |
The trail is well marked with signs and orange diamond-shaped markers above treeline, so no route finding is required. Enjoy the trail and wildflowers!
Centennial Ridge at a Glance
Distance (one way): 3.2 km to second lookout; 4.3 km to Olympic Summit; 6.8 km to Mount Allen Summit
Elevation Gain: 680 m elevation gain to second lookout; 940 m to Olympic Summit; 1340 m to Mount Allen Summit
Washrooms: Pit toilets at Ribbon Creek parking lot
Stroller Friendly: No
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| Centennial Ridge Short Version Map Map Credit: Google Maps |
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| View from the 2nd lookout on Centennial Ridge Trail |
Going Further
The bump above the second lookout is a false summit. You will ascend a few bumps before reaching Olympic Summit. Look for larches near the second bump if you’re hiking here in late September.
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| Centennial Ridge Trail, Kananaskis |
Beyond Olympic Summit is the “rock garden” (about 6 km from the parking lot) – a grouping of large, conglomerate rocks and pinnacles – and summit of Mount Allen.
Know Before You Go
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