Powderface Trail (gravel)
Route Details: This route follows a beautiful winding forestry road up over a gentle pass with spectacular views at every turn. This is a dream road for Adv and dual sport riders and unlike most roads this route is great in both directions and gives a sense that you are riding a completely different stretch of backroad each way. Can be done as a loop or out and back.
From Cochrane head South on Highway 22 and then West on Highway 1 until you reach the turn off to the Sibbald Creek Trail (Highway 68). Take this stretch of road, which turns into gravel (which can have a lot of washboard), until you reach the start of the Powderface trail. Which is a left hand turn at the bottom of the hill just past the Sibbald Lakes Provincial Campground and Rec area. Once you turn onto the Powderface Trail you will begin twisting your way along the creek eventually climbing over the summit near Jumpingpound Mountain. All along this route there are many places to safely pull off the road and take some pictures or just gawk at the breath taking vistas. There is so much to see but be aware that this is a very narrow road in places with blind corners and heavy traffic especially on weekends (which I avoid and ride during the week when I can). Continuing South you go up and over two more short ascents/decents and finally drop into the valley wedged between Nahahi Ridge to the West and Powderface Ridge to the East. At the end of the gravel (end of Powderface Trail) you will pop out on Highway 66 West of Bragg Creek at Forgetmenot Pond and can either turn around and return the way you came for a different view of this amazing area or continue onto the pavement heading towards Highway 22 and make it a loop. For more information about this area check out the Bragg Creek to Elbow Falls/Forgetmenot Pond route.
Highlights: Forgetmenot Pond, Elbows Falls
Local Businesses: Vine Coffee Company (Cochrane), Mabel and Marie’s Bakery (Bragg Creek), Mountain Bistro and Pizzeria (Bragg Creek), Cowboy Trail Brewing (Bragg Creek)
KM/Hours of Riding: 90 kms, approx. 2 hours to Forgetmenot Pond
