Kananaskis Country in Alberta is home to the Blackshale Suspension Bridge, located on the southern section of the 80-kilometre Upper Rockies Trail that stretches from the Goat Creek parking zone whilom Canmore to Elk Pass on the verge with British Columbia. The wing of the suspension underpass increases the fun factor for hikers and mountain bikers unwrinkled and provides a increasingly uncontrived route withal the Upper Rockies Trail.
There are a couple of ways to hike to the Blackshale Suspension Underpass – the longer official 6.0 km return hike starting from the parking lot at Black Prince Cirque and the short and fast 1.0 km return hike up from the side of the Smith Dorrien Road. However you do it, this is a unique hike that people of all month will love.
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Blackshale Suspension Underpass hike in Kananaskis summary
Permit: You do need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. It’s $15 for a day, or $90 for a year – and that covers two cars registered at the same address. It’s weightier to purchase online, though you can buy in person on Highway 40 at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre.
Distance: 6.0 km return from the Black Prince Cirque parking lot and just 1.1 km return if you start at side of the Smith Dorrien Road to the south.
Elevation gain: 330 m or 1,083 feet
Time needed: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Level of difficulty: Easy
Map: Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes or Organic Maps as an offline hiking app. I’d recommend both.
Be prepared: The Blackshale Suspension Underpass is on the High Rockies Trail – which is shared with mountain bikers. You may need to jump to the side of the trail in a hurry.
Cell service: Don’t count on any service without you’ve passed the turnoff to Nakiska Ski Resort.
Dogs: Permitted on leash.
Wildlife: We’ve seen moose and grizzly bears in the unstipulated zone of the underpass in the summer. Be smart and siphon easy to wangle withstand spray. If you see fresh scat, make lots of noise.
Weather: Check the Kananaskis forecast surpassing you go.
Please: Practice Leave No Trace principles and siphon the hiking essentials, overly for an easy hike like this one.
Location map
Background on the Blackshale Suspension Bridge
The Blackshale Suspension Underpass is a 73 metre (240 feet) long rope underpass created to “provide a special wits on the trail and to indulge users to navigate the creek directly rather than detour virtually the steep creek bed” – equal to McElhanney, the visitor that provided the structural diamond of the bridge.
The Blackshale Suspension underpass is sealed in the winter as the weight of the snow could be an issue, expressly without a big storm. Brace cables have been widow to modernize stability of the underpass if it gets very windy.
Best time to do the Blackshale Suspension Underpass hike
The weightier time to visit the Blackshale Suspension Underpass if you want to walk or velocipede wideness the underpass is in late spring, summer and fall. Once the snow arrives, Alberta Parks shuts the bridge, though you wouldn’t know it judging by the hardpacked trail wideness it.
Check on Peter Lougheed advisories and closures before you throne to Kananaskis, if you veritably must have a picture of yourself on the bridge.
Finding the trailhead for the official Blackshale Suspension Underpass hike
There are no public transportation options to get to the Blackshale Suspension Underpass hike – whether it’s the official or unofficial route.
Drive south on Highway 40 from the Trans-Canada Highway. You’ll pass the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre in well-nigh 10 minutes – so stop in here if you need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass or a pee break. You lose lamina reception shortly without passing the information centre, so you won’t be worldly-wise to buy a pass online at that point.
From there, it’s a 45-minute drive.
- Stay on Highway 40 to reach Kananaskis Lakes Trail AB 742. Turn right and follow it for 2.2 km.
- Turn right onto Smith Dorrien Trail – which becomes a dusty, dirt road come the summer. Stay on it for 8.4 km.
- Make a left hand turn into the signed Black Prince Cirque Trail. Momentum 300 m to reach a parking lot.
- To get to the start of the trail walk when to the Smith Dorrien Trail, navigate it, and squint for a sign pointing to the Upper Rockies Trail off to the left in the woods.
If you have the time I highly recommend the easy 2 – hour return hike to Warspite Lake from the parking lot surpassing or without the Blackshale Suspension Underpass hike.
Where to park for the unofficial route
This is the most popular hike into the Blackshale Suspension Underpass considering it’s so short. The trail though is unmarked, so you’ll need to have a tropical squint at the location on Google maps. Usually there are cars pulled over at the side of the road, though beware as there are other unmarked trailheads in Kananaskis Country.
Blackshale Suspension Underpass official hike description
After walking when to the Smith Dorrien Road, navigate the highway thoughtfully as vehicles fly lanugo this road. Squint for the Upper Rockies trail sign on the far side of the road. Hike up through the trees to meet the Upper Rockies Trail without 400 m. Signage points you right to the Blackshale Suspension Bridge.
Follow the trail as it weaves through the woods, gaining and losing elevation with regularity. There is a 330-metre elevation proceeds in total but there’s never a long-sustained climb. It’s increasingly like a mini roller coaster.
There are a couple of openings withal the trail that provide unconfined views of the mountains.
In the winter there is one short couloir to navigate (27 paces for me) that can be washed-up in well-nigh 7 seconds. There wasn’t much snow when we did the hike in mid-February, so I wasn’t worried well-nigh an avalanche. However, I would stave it without a big snowstorm.
You know you’re just seconds yonder from reaching the Blackshale Suspension Underpass when you see a sign saying congested area. Frankly, the zone virtually the suspension underpass sounds too rented for my liking in peak times, so if you’re like me go early or late in the day or visit in the off season., appreciating you can’t walk on the underpass in winter.
Blackshale Suspension Underpass rules
The Blackshale Suspension Underpass gets very rented in the summer and fall – and from what I hear there can be lineups. Exercise patience and be courteous.
The underpass is designed to hold a unrepealable weight. To be on the unscratched side, stay off the underpass when there are 20 people on it.
There is no right of way per se for the mountain bikers, but if you see one, let them pass so they can protract their ride without stuff held up for selfies. Again – just be courteous and patient.
Where to stay in Kananaskis Country
If you’ve got the upkeep I’d recommend nearby Mount Engadine Lodge and their mythological glamping tents. Even though their prices seem high, it includes three meals a day and an afternoon charcuterie plate.
Other options near the Nakiska Ski Zone are Kananaskis Mountain Lodge or the Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel.
Another spanking-new option kids would likely love are the tipis and trapper’s tents found at Sundance by Basecamp near the archway to Kananaskis Village.
More Kananaskis zone activities you’ll love
Day hikes in Kananaskis
- Easy Kananaskis Hikes Everyone Will Love
- 12 Kananaskis Trail Hikes in Alberta With a View
- Canmore Hikes that Offer Unconfined Views
Backpacking trips in Kananaskis
- Tombstone Lakes Hike & Camping Trip in Kananaskis
- A Backpacking Trip to Lillian Lake
- North to South Kananaskis Pass Hike via Turbine Canyon
- The Hike to Three Isle Lake & South Kananaskis Pass
Camping in Kananaskis
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