Jura Creek Hike

Where:

• Jura Creek

 

When:

• May 2, 2020

 

Who:

• Ed, Jace, Joey, Jennifer, Craig

 

 

Trailhead:

• 15 minutes east of Canmore on the 1A highway
• 1 km east of Exshaw across from the Graymont Plant (north side of the road)
• start by going past the left side of the outhouse and pointing yourself on one of the various trails that head towards the curvy ‘V’ between the two mountains that separate Jura Creek
• there is a combination of road and path that morph into the reconstructed post-flood bank of Jura Creek
• there is a higher trail before you enter the initial canyon on the left bank for times when the water flow prohibits going through the canyon
• we ended up taking a path on the left bank that hugs the creek as you enter the first canyon as the spring runoff was in full force

 

 

Degree of difficulty:

• 170 meters elevation
• 7 km round trip to just past the major waterfall crossing
• 3.5 hours total time on the trail
• slow going on this day due to snow and ice pack as well as several creek crossings
• moderate hike in terms of elevation with no excessively steep sections
• at this time of year, I would only recommend this trail for seasoned hikers who are comfortable with tricky footing

 

 

Interesting notes:

• the curved canyon wall as you drop into Jura Creek near the start of the hike is very scenic
• at this time of year, we had to view the canyon from above it which is quite beautiful and very different from being right inside the canyon
• the rock formations within the valley provide for some magnificent scenery
• the waterfall around the 3 km mark is quite tricky to cross during spring runoff but is a beautiful rock formation
• the valley is quite narrow but offers views of Exshaw Mountain/Ridge, Door Jamb Mountain, Loder Peak, and the Goat Mountain complex