Mount Howard

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Easy
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
7-10h
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
20.1 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
1,052 m
User Ratings
These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
Overall Rating
This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
9.0
Physical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Technical Difficulty
This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
Easy (Circle)
Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure.
Read Reviews
Directions to Trailhead
Panorama from Mount Howard scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies

The views from the summit of Mount Howard are as spectacular as any, but it is the long and wonderfully scenic ridge walk to get there that sets it apart from others in the area.

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Route Description for Mount Howard

Start hiking up along the dry Canyon Creek flats. The scenery along the creek bed is surprisingly nice, especially the colorful rock and sheer cliffs of Mount Bryant to the north.

After 5.0 km of hiking along the creek bed, equally split between pleasant hiking on old vegetated river flat and river rubble from the 2013 flood, there is an obvious ascent ridge to start up. A reasonably good trail leads the way through the forest.

The slope steepens significantly at treeline, but remains a simple hike. Fortunately, a light breeze and hats filled with snow kept us cool. This is definitely a hike to do in decent weather and with tolerable wind as it’s over 4.0 km of hiking along a ridge from treeline to the summit. The ridge had several highpoints, but the descent off each was always much less than it seemed from a distance.

The final high point before the summit has a good bypass trail to follow. You can then choose between a somewhat steep slope, or ascend along the ridge. The ridge has unstable rubble, but depending on how much snow is around may be the better option, and was the option we chose.

Once past the messy rubble the easy ridge walk resumed, and you quickly reach the base of the summit bump. The final ascent was easy until we encountered an icy snow patch just below the summit. Unfortunately, it was frozen solid and not safe to walk on without crampons, which we didn’t have. Fortunately, there was some snow free bedrock, which was a moderate scramble to the summit.

The view from the summit was spectacular. The snow remaining on the surrounding mountains and in the valleys was beautiful, and the green forest, grey slate, orange scree, and blue sky complemented the whole scene.

On the way down from the summit we found a very easy route around the bedrock we had scrambled up earlier, then crossed the snow slopes from earlier. Continue east along a ridge leading towards Compression Ridge before descending on a ridge heading north and following a minor creek bed back to Canyon Creek. If it is a hot day, wet your hat in Canyon creek and stay cool for the rest of the hike out.

Insider Hints for Mount Howard

  • Check the weather before you go, above the tree lines the hike is completely exposed and lightning storms are frequent.

Getting to the Mount Howard Trailhead

Take Highway 66 west. 9.4 km after the turnoff to Elbow Falls, take the right-hand turn onto Powderface Trail. Follow this gravel road for 14.3 km, and park in a turn-off on the right-hand side.

Route Information

  • When to do

    May - November

  • Backcountry Campsites

    No

  • Toilets

    Little Elbow campground

  • Pets allowed

    Yes - On Leash

  • Scarmbling Rating

    Grade 1

  • Exposure

    None

  • Family friendly

    Yes

  • Route Signage

    None

  • Crowd Levels

    Low

  • Route Type

    Out and back

Mount Howard Elevation Graph

Weather Forecast

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Mount Howard Reviews

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