Mount Howard
![Panorama from Mount Howard scramble in Kananaskis, the Canadian Rockies](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CAN-Kananaskis-MtHoward-Scrambles-1920x480.jpg)
Table of contents
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.
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
Check Area WeatherReviews
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Let someone else do the hard work, book a custom tour in over 85 countries.
Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!
Nearby Trails
![Powderface Creek Trail](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Dummy-3-2560x633-1.jpg)
Powderface Creek Trail
Kananaskis Country
![Porcupine Ridge Hike](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1709x633-Hiker-on-Porcupine-Ridge.jpg)
Porcupine Ridge Hike
Kananaskis Country
![Cox Hill Hike](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CA-AB-Sibbald-Creek-Trail-1709-633.jpg)
Cox Hill Hike
Kananaskis Country
![Elbow Falls Loop](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CAN-AB-Kananaskis-Elbow-Falls-Hike-01-1709-633-great-river-views-on-the-Elbow-Falls-Hike.jpg)
Elbow Falls Loop
Kananaskis Country
![Little Elbow Trail](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CAN-AB-Kananaskis-New-Hikes-Little-Elbow-1940x480-Panorama-view-of-Little-Elbow-hiking-trail-beautiful-river-forest-Kananaskis-Alberta-Canada.jpg)
Little Elbow Trail
Bragg Creek and Sheep River
![Big Elbow Trail](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/CAN-AB-Kananaskis-New-Hikes-Big-Elbow-1940x480-Panorama-view-of-Big-Elbow-hiking-walking-trails-in-Kananaskis-Alberta.jpg)
Big Elbow Trail
Bragg Creek and Sheep River
![Big Elbow Loop](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CAN-AB-Kan-Backpack-BigElbow-1940x480.jpg)
Big Elbow Loop
Kananaskis Country
![Wasootch Ridge](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAN-AB-Kananaskis-Hwy-40-Wasootch-Ridge-1920x480.jpg)
Wasootch Ridge
Kananaskis Trail
![Moose Mountain](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAN-AB-SWFH-Moose-Mountain-1920x480.jpg)
Moose Mountain
Bragg Creek and Sheep River
![Powderface Ridge](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAN-AB-SWFH-Powderface-Ridge-1920x480.jpg)
Powderface Ridge
Bragg Creek and Sheep River
![Prairie Mountain](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAN-AB-SWFH-Prairie-Mountain-1920x480.jpg)
Prairie Mountain
Bragg Creek and Sheep River
![Canyon Creek Ice Caves](https://d3owbckoeihl9o.cloudfront.net/images/10adv/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CAN-AB-SWFH-Canyon-Creek-1920x480.jpg)
Canyon Creek Ice Caves
Bragg Creek and Sheep River