Merlin View

Step after step and much distance travelled only to end up back where you started? Yes and such is hiking. This walk in the woods plays out in West Bragg Creek and takes in several trails in that extensive network. They are: Snowy Owl, Old Shell Road, and Braggin’ Rights (on the return), plus at the west end a nice loop called, Merlin View. The latter is new to us (only put in a few years ago), and climbs a low forested ridge, with a viewpoint, before doubling back.

Trails in this network are generally multi use, so keep an eye open for bikers, snowshoers (rare in July) and even equestrian riders (not all trails). There’s room for everyone. In winter, there’s the famous Kananaskis ice, born out of Chinook freeze/thaw cycles and a good beating down by traffic, so some kind of traction device is pretty much mandatory. This is hiking in Kananaskis, early in the year. There’s maps and signage at regular intervals to help keep you on track.

The fun begins at the West Bragg Creek Provincial Recreation Area, west of…go figure…Bragg Creek, Alberta. Reach the very end of West Bragg Creek Road and you’re there! This is a very popular recreation area, but there’s so many trails going in so many directions that crowding isn’t as bad as it might appear from the often busy parking lot. Even a click or so away will have you thinking you’re alone. We’d say this route is best done clockwise as described here, which leaves the better parts for last.

Head west on Snowy Owl, a route paralleling Mountain Road, which you can also use (but keep off the XC track in winter), but our choice is a bit more interesting. In summer, however, you might be forced to use the latter if conditions are wet. Almost two kilometres in, transfer to Old Shell Road (as in Shell Petroleum), once used in the service of gas installations in the area. Your author drove it back in the 1990s when in the oilfield trucking business and the land around less recreation oriented than it is now.

At a four way junction (in winter, usually marked by a big ice-flow), head west on Moose Loop, then quickly transfer to Merlin View (right). We’ve often spotted moose in the meadows to your left, but not this day. Up until this point, the snow underfoot was soft and grippy, with little ice, and could have been done without spikes, but from here on in, for us, were definitely needed. It was slick!

Join up with a pipeline right of way, briefly, then continuing westbound, leave it behind on going right into the woods and start climbing. The grade is quite agreeable, by design and so it’s all pretty pleasant. Watch for descending cycles.

Along this section, see evidence of the great blowdown that took place in the area late in 2021. It was some kind of killer windstorm and knocked over thousands of trees, with some trails put out of commission for months and clean up efforts still ongoing (as of this posting). The damage on Merlin View was minimal compared to other routes (those atop ridges in particular) but still, you’ll see plenty of damage. Some trees literally shattered and it looks like a bomb went off!

There’s been not much in the way of views so far, but once near the top of the little ridge, the forest thins in places. Still, there’s no bones about it – this is an in-the-trees kinda hike. Up at the top, take in rolling hills with some showing the scars of logging. Yes, industry and recreation coexist here.

Most prominent from this angle it’s Moose Mountain, a big ol’ hunk of rock, and to its right and not quite so dramatic in stature, Cox Hill. Both are delightful hikes and on viewing them we longed to revisit both. Look for the fire lookout atop Moose and dream of visiting.

The viewpoint makes a great lunch spot and a little Kung Fu Girl, some cheese, good company, a nice view and the world seems right. Here’s to Mother Nature! Later back home, soul crushing reality sets in (insert smiley face here), but for this hike, all the problems of the day simply vanished.

Back on the trail and into the trees, pass a three way junction (with Kestrel, uncleared of deadfall on our visit), then bend back east. This is the highpoint of the day and for the next while it’s mostly downhill following the spine of the ridge. But again, it’s never too steep and so real easy.

After a while, come to a large open meadow. As memory serves me, this was the site of a gas well back in the day and not natural. How ever it’s came to be, getting out of the trees once in a while is nice. Now comes the biggest descent of the day taking in a series of switchbacks that follow a former pipeline right of way (that obvious open swath through the trees).

Continue the easterly heading at the next four way junction and on coming to Telephone Trail (one of the originals at WBC), join up with Braggin’ Rights on the opposite side. The route from here traverses a well-forested slope, but even so, there’s the occasional view south. Those hills over there are a magical place and home to a maze of trails. While we’ve hiked many of them (not all worthy of trip reports), we’ve just scratched the surface and have plenty left to do*.

At a four way, take to Whitetail, making use of an old seismic cutline for a time before dropping down. Cutlines (and you’ve passed a few if you follow our map) are another left over from gas exploration and usually arrow straight. Descending now, pass a couple junctions and in a few minutes come to the parking lot.

The Bragg Creek Trails system is maintained by dedicated volunteers, but even so there’s costs involved in upkeep. Drop a couple bucks in the donation bin or do it online.

Merlin: a species of falcon seen in the area or the legendary wizard associated with King Author and the Knights of the Round Table. Who knows and maybe the people who named the trail are fans of medieval things? No, it’s probably the bird.

*You’ll see we’re doing fairly flat-ish trails these days (relatively speaking – some call them mundane), like those at WBC, and this is mostly due to Connie’s post-Cancer medication. It’s murder on her muscles and joints, especially when the going is steep, but there is a supposed light at the end of the tunnel. They keep reminding us that things should return to normal once she’s off them in a couple years, but in the meantime, cheer her on!

Know more (new window): West Bragg Creek Trail System.

Till next time, happy trails!

They’re saying…

”Chris and Connie are the real deal – their adventures are truly interesting and fun!” Justine Cooke.

More from the area…
West Bragg Creek Trails: Call Me.
Tom Snow/Ridgeback.
Iron Springs – Elbow.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: January, 2022.
Location: West Bragg Creek area, Kananaskis, AB.
Distance: 13km if you follow our route.
Height gain maximum: 280m.
Height gain cumulative: 320m-ish.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Technical stuff and notes: That famous K-Country ice if you visit in winter.

On Snowy Owl.

The trail was well packed and snowshoes unneeded.

Old Shell Road is a left over from gas exploration.

Heading west.

Should have brought skates.

The moose meadows.

Along a pipeline ROW.

This tree literally shattered.

Climbing up (easy grade) on Merlin View.

Hey, over here!

They’re still cleaning up from the great blowdown.

At a thinning of the trees.

Moose Mountain left & Cox Hill right (see post for links).

At the viewpoint – we have wine!

Here’s to Mother Nature.

Connie enjoys the scenery (Moose Mountain behind).

Back in the trees.

There were lots of icy sections.

Another tree that didn’t make it.

And soon after, a nice surprise…

…This meadow.

Who is Carlson and why does he get a corner?

Now it’s Braggin’ Rights.

If not for these, it would have been no fun.

These rolling hills are a magical place.

Even with spikes, Connie steps gingerly.

Whitetail follows an old cutline.

Interesting textures on this tree.

13kms, only to end up where you started.