Canyon Creek Ice Cave Is a Unique Day Hike in Alberta
There is an element of fascination and mystery about caves.
If you’re like me and can’t help but satisfy your curiosity as to what lies inside, this hike is for you. Canyon Creek Ice Cave is a short but rewarding day hike only 45 minutes from Calgary. This impressive limestone cave on the south face of Moose Mountain formed through freeze-thaw cycles and contains fascinating ice formations almost year-round.
Hike Distance: 13 km roundtrip
Hike Duration: 3 – 5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 350 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Ing’s mine serves as the trailhead for the hike. To get there, turn right off Highway 66, about 20 kilometres outside the town of Bragg Creek, Alberta. There, you’ll find a paved parking lot and bathrooms.
The first five kilometres of this hike follows a gravel service road. Follow this road past gas plant infrastructure until you’re met with impressive cliffs that rise up on both sides of the road. With over 200 sport climbing routes, this is the Moose Mountain Crag. The area offers an abundance of climbing close to Calgary.
This section can feel like a drag, especially on the way back down, so it’s a great idea to take your bike and cut some time. I opted to trail run the road instead. Once you reach the trailhead that veers off into the forest, you can stash your bike close-by. Keep an eye out for marmots and mountain goats along the service road. They are often lingering in the area.
The Hike Itself
After five kilometres on the service road, the hike itself is a short one-and-a-half kilometre jaunt to the cave. Once you reach the end of the gravel road, a well-defined trail, veering to the right, will undulate through the forest until you reach a steep scree section.
You can see the cave on the cliff face in the distance, which can be a helpful guide if you’re unsure which direction to turn. Do not take the trail that goes straight up the scree slope, keep left at the intersection, crossing the creek, and continuing in the direction of the cave.
The last few steps up to the cave entrance require some light scrambling. Depending on the time of year, the rock that forms the cave entrance can be icy or wet. Be careful about slipping and give those around you lots of space.
Once inside, you can venture a few metres in to see some magical ice formations. I felt both awe and a hint of wariness entering the cave. Every echo that bounced off the looming walls had me looking over my shoulder.
A Note on Safety
First, headlamps are a must on this hike. The cave is pitch black without a source of light. Helmets are also recommended if you’re thinking of doing some exploring.
While the ice cave offers unique features this also means there are some important safety considerations before exploring. The last section of the climb turns into a scramble, exposing hikers to spots with potential rockfall. Be aware of where you are hiking in relation to others, and never hike directly above or below another hiker. Several accidents occurred here well over a decade ago. This is why the parking lot was moved five kilometres away from the official trailhead.
About 100 metres of the cave is accessible, after that there are small passages and narrow chambers that you must be extremely cautious should you choose to explore. It is highly recommended that you stay only in the wide, spacious area of the cave so you don’t risk getting lost or stuck in a tight space.
