Boblikesfun
Active member
Does anyone have any first hand info on the condition of the Elbow Loop trail. I'm not expecting Boulder Mountain but is it worth the short drive from Calgary to do the loop ? 
Elbow Loop Trail conditions ???
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xtremetreeline420
Member
If it's anything like Cataract has been, it will be good and you will most likely be the only rider out there.
xtremetreeline420
Member
Isn't the elbow loop like a 100km round trip? Or is there a closer place to stage that I don't know about?
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Boblikesfun
Active member
You stage at Maclean Creek. The actual "loop" starts on the far north west end of the OHV area along the river. Given good conditions and taking the right trails it would take about 1/2 hour to get to the start of the area that is only open to snowmobiles. I'm not sure how long the loop is or exactly how long it takes as I have only been to the corner of the OHV area on a motorbike. Staging from the end of the Powder Face trail is also an option but a longer ride.
Smithys
Active VIP Member
Does anyone happen to have a map of this area?
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Boblikesfun
Active member
Here is a map. The map of the loop is at the top of the page.
Wally in Calgary
Active VIP Member
If your kids are very good riders then you could do The Loop but if not it is not a real easy ride and there is an avalanche field half way through and a couple more places where it can slide very easily. There are a few places that warn not to Stop there. They are tight forest trails and if someone has not been through that knows the trail it is easy to miss. Just a couple of things to think about. FWIW.
Here is a map you can save and print --
Wally in Calgary
Active VIP Member
Yes it is just a snow covered logging road and runs about 30 kms to the Elbow Loop. Most times it is wind blown and has a lot of rough shale and rocks but if there is enough snow it's a good fast (lots of mild turns)) ride down to the Elbow. Not quite sure on the individual mileage but the whole trip is just under 100 kms from Powderface staging around the Loop and back.
I agree with Wally
The loop is best tackled from the Sibbald staging area off Hwy 68 the staging area is Dawson Equestrian area...take the powderface trail to get to the loop....but there is a few spots of AVI concern on the loop...and this year the snow fall has been heavier than past years...
I have tried to get to the elbow loop from the Mclean Creek side.....I dont recommend it.....far too many shortcuts it was a nightmare last timer I tried.....I ended up turning back
and you cant go over the river past the gas plant I know it looks obvious but you end up at elbow falls and you'll get bounced if they catch you there lol...its a
The loop is best tackled from the Sibbald staging area off Hwy 68 the staging area is Dawson Equestrian area...take the powderface trail to get to the loop....but there is a few spots of AVI concern on the loop...and this year the snow fall has been heavier than past years...
I have tried to get to the elbow loop from the Mclean Creek side.....I dont recommend it.....far too many shortcuts it was a nightmare last timer I tried.....I ended up turning back
and you cant go over the river past the gas plant I know it looks obvious but you end up at elbow falls and you'll get bounced if they catch you there lol...its a
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Boblikesfun
Active member
I agree with Wally
The loop is best tackled from the Sibbald staging area off Hwy 68 the staging area is Dawson Equestrian area...take the powderface trail to get to the loop....but there is a few spots of AVI concern on the loop...and this year the snow fall has been heavier than past years...
I have tried to get to the elbow loop from the Mclean Creek side.....I dont recommend it.....far too many shortcuts it was a nightmare last timer I tried.....I ended up turning back
and you cant go over the river past the gas plant I know it looks obvious but you end up at elbow falls and you'll get bounced if they catch you there lol...its a
Thank for the info guys !
I do have one question though....I know the trails in Mclean Creek area real well and can get to the far N.W. of the OHV area without a problem. It is a fair bit west of the gas plant and right alone the south side of the river. To get there with less problems you need to go west from the staging area, then south a fair bit and then head north with Quirk Ridge on your right hand side rather than crossing over it from the gas plant. Assuming you are there with out a problem, are there any issues then with needing to cross the river as you are on the south side anyhow. Just wondering. Thanks again.
I ride cross country in Mclean and I know it pretty good to...but never got past Quirk Creek on my sled...not enough snow last year...have you been this yr and if so was there enough snow??
Its sounds like you know your way around there quite well.....all I know is after Quirk you come out at cobble flats and go southwest till you find the narrow bridge to cross the river and from there you are at the elbow loop
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Boblikesfun
Active member
>...have you been this yr and if so was there enough snow??
No I haven't. We went there last year once and I swore I'd never sled there again as there wasn't much snow at all. This year I'm tempted but still a bit gun shy. Nakiska has got a few good dumps the past while and that got me thinking. After so many epic days in Golden and Revy it's hard to settle for what we would get out there but I would like to see the area from "exploring " point of view.
I'll advise if I go out.
Thanks
No I haven't. We went there last year once and I swore I'd never sled there again as there wasn't much snow at all. This year I'm tempted but still a bit gun shy. Nakiska has got a few good dumps the past while and that got me thinking. After so many epic days in Golden and Revy it's hard to settle for what we would get out there but I would like to see the area from "exploring " point of view.
I'll advise if I go out.
Thanks
Smithys
Active VIP Member
If your kids are very good riders then you could do The Loop but if not it is not a real easy ride and there is an avalanche field half way through and a couple more places where it can slide very easily. There are a few places that warn not to Stop there. They are tight forest trails and if someone has not been through that knows the trail it is easy to miss. Just a couple of things to think about. FWIW.
Here is a map you can save and print --
Do you happen to have a GPS file of this trail as well and the Powderface trail?
Wally in Calgary
Active VIP Member
Sorry -- No I don't have one. Here's the map of Powderface.
Thumper-darryl
Active member
I have not been there for a couple of years, but it sounds like signage to the snowmobile trails is lacking. The ASA has FREE signs available for ASA clubs, so I would suggest that the CSC put together a sign order, submit to the ASA and get permission from SRD to put them up.
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Boblikesfun
Active member
Today I went out to K Country and rode the Elbow Loop via the Powderface Trail. Temp and visability were perfect but the snow cover was lacking big time. I've been told that the snow pack is more than in recent years but I would say it's still just barely passable. Snow cover along the Powderface was very thin in spots and complety blown bare in two or three places. The half dozen ice flow areas on the Powderface were particularily bad as they were blown free of snow. On the way back in the evening there was a trace of new snow on the ice which made for a very slick combination. I talked to 2 riders near Tombstone Lakes who came in from Maclean and they said the Wildhorse trail didn't have much snow on it either. It was nice to see the area but unless we get a serious dump of snow I think I'll stick to my usual spots in Golden and Revy. The Loop itself was just OK and getting to it wasn't worth it.
Hey Bob roughly what was the round trip distance...down powderface and around the loop..??
Did you stage at dawson ?
Not surprising the low snow conditions.....when I think of the Sibbald area wind always comes to mind
I still want to try it though
Troy
Did you stage at dawson ?
Not surprising the low snow conditions.....when I think of the Sibbald area wind always comes to mind
I still want to try it though
Troy
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