Runs

The Highline Trail, Canmore, Alberta

April 20, 2009
By Phil Villeneuve

Distance: 9K

Trail Entrance: Quarry Lake

For more info: www.canmore.ca (click on “maps” link)

One of the beauties of living in Canmore, Alta. in the past years has been the amount of work put in by local groups to build new trails for both running and mountain bike enthusiasts. In the local trail system, the Highline Trail stands out as a must run, especially if you’re looking for a good workout. As the name implies, the Highline Trail runs high up, in the shadow of Ha Ling and Grassi Peak, skirting its way along the Wildlife Corridor via creek beds, avalanche chutes and dense forest, all of which make for some fun, technical terrain.

The trail now offers runners three entry points, all accessible from the main Powerline Trail that runs parallel to the valley bottom. For out-of-towners, the easiest way to access the Highline is by parking at the Quarry Lake day use area on Spray Lakes Road on the route up to the Canmore Nordic Centre.

From Quarry Lake, aim for the Powerline to the south and look for the Highline trailhead signs. Regardless of the entry point, there’s no easy way up to the good stuff. The endless switchbacks will test both your lung and leg power right from the start. Just when you think you’re getting to the top, there’s one more turn looming ahead. During the ascent, make sure to keep your head up and your ears tuned for incoming downhill traffic, as mountain bikers often take advantage of the numerous banked turns for a quick downhill ride.

At the first junction, about 1.5K up from Quarry, the main trail heads east and follows the natural contour of the slope all the way to a fun descent into the Peaks of Grassi residential area. The exit will pop you out onto the Powerline Trail, which you can take west all the way back to Quarry Lake. If you choose to head west (from the main junction), you’ll be treated to the latest addition to the Highline trail-building project, which was completed in late 2008, and experience some Canmore’s purest single-track.  This thread crosses the Riders of Rohan downhill trail and eventually merges with it at the bottom, feeding you back at the west end of the Powerline.

Mix and match all you want, regardless of the direction you choose, you’ll be in for a real treat.

Phil Villeneuve is a top trail runner and cross-country skier. He lives in Canmore and works for Salomon Canada.