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- Tom Snow: Dawson TH
Tom Snow
Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada
Tom Snow serves as the main connector between Elbow Valley and Sibbald Area. It is not a very well maintained trail, but used heavily by equestrians and few mountain bikers. The trail winds through foothills east and north of Moose Mountain and may be ridden north to south or in reverse; you decide. There are a number of nice and scenic sections along this mostly doubletrack trail; however, for the most part this trail could use some work. Expect mud bogs and plenty of them, impassable in sections during the spring or after heavy rains. When the mud finally starts to dry, the trail can get very rough due to cattle and horse traffic.Although there isn’t a whole lot of elevation gained over the length of the trail, it is not one for the inexperienced backcountry mountain biker. Riding the 30 kilometer leg from Dawson to Station Flats will have you navigating through deep sections of mud, crossing plenty of creeks, and jumping, or lifting, your bike over fallen trees. It is best to avoid this trail after heavy rain fall or during the spring time. If riding the full stretch, make sure you have a retrieval vehicle on the other end or someone waiting to pick you up as it’s a long ride to do as an out-and-back; unless you enjoy that sort of thing.
Tom Snow may be used to connect Moosepackers to end at Station Flats, if you’re not up for riding down Ridgeback. It may also be used to connect the West Bragg Creek trail network with the Moose Mountain network or the Sibbald Area network of trails.
bikepirate rating:
Trail Stats
Distance: 29 km (one-way)
Time: 3 - 5 hrs
Elevation Gain: 522 m
Elevation Loss: 580 m
Min Elevation: 1,399 m
Max Elevation: 1,595 m
Technical Rating: Intermediate
Physical Rating: Moderate
Season: June - October
Permit Required: No
Time: 3 - 5 hrs
Elevation Gain: 522 m
Elevation Loss: 580 m
Min Elevation: 1,399 m
Max Elevation: 1,595 m
Technical Rating: Intermediate
Physical Rating: Moderate
Season: June - October
Permit Required: No
Trail Location
Trailhead:
Dawson Recreation Area access: Take Hwy 68 (Sibbald Creek Trail) to Powderface Trail (dirt road). Drive south on Powderface Trail about 5 km to the Dawson Equestrian Campground and day use area; well signed. The trailhead is well-marked and begins at the northeast corner of the parking lot.
Station Flats access: From Bragg Creek drive west on Hwy 66 to the Station Flats turn off; the turn off is well signed. The trailhead is well-marked and begins at the northwest corner of the parking area.
GPS:
N51 01.431 W114 52.862 (Dawnson)
N50 53.726 W114 42.333 (Station Flats)
Dawson Recreation Area access: Take Hwy 68 (Sibbald Creek Trail) to Powderface Trail (dirt road). Drive south on Powderface Trail about 5 km to the Dawson Equestrian Campground and day use area; well signed. The trailhead is well-marked and begins at the northeast corner of the parking lot.
Station Flats access: From Bragg Creek drive west on Hwy 66 to the Station Flats turn off; the turn off is well signed. The trailhead is well-marked and begins at the northwest corner of the parking area.
GPS:
N51 01.431 W114 52.862 (Dawnson)
N50 53.726 W114 42.333 (Station Flats)
Downloads
Map: click here
GPS Map (GPX): click here
Google Earth: click here
Alberta Parks: click here
Trail Report: click here
Google Earth trail view only works if you have the program; download it here (free)
GPS Map (GPX): click here
Google Earth: click here
Alberta Parks: click here
Trail Report: click here
Google Earth trail view only works if you have the program; download it here (free)
