Overview
An interesting ride, with two big summits and some fascinating geographic features combined with great routefinding and some very rough no-track riding. Dramatic location dominates over good quality singletrack, although this is still a great day in the saddle!
Trail Description
Starting off with 10km of unusually good quality fireroad climb at the base of plateau mountain up to the wide, flat summit at 2500m. there is a working gas well at the top as well as some unique geographic features. the next destination, hailstone butte, lies to the east.
ride around and get your bearings, looking for obvious evidence of a buried pipe that leads towards the south-east side of the mountain. drop off the side, and navigate the scree and no-track to the fireroad below. it is very steep, and very rough!
locate a rough singletrack at the northern foot of hailstone, then begin the long and sometimes steep climb up to the fire lookout at the top. beware of the wind! it was exceeding 100km/h gusts at the lookout tower! talk to the ranger while eating your lunch, then sail back down the way you came, then exit south on a pleasant but long fireroad back to the car.
Getting There
from Calgary, drive about 32km south on HWY 2 until the turnoff to HWY 2A. continue south for about 10km until the junction with HWY 783, turn West and head towards Longview. Just before longview there is a well signed junction for HWY 541/HWY 40 into Kananaskis. Drive for about 20km to the sr940, head south for 26km to Wilkinson summit, park and head up the plateau mtn. access road.
When to Bike
This is a high-alpine ride at 2500m, as such should be ready from mid july to mid october.Images
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