McGillivary Creek

McGillivary Creek may not be the most scenic trail but it is a lot of fun. This 13.8-km round trip from the Youth Camp this moderately difficult trail climbs a little and supplies the rider with many fun challenges. The fun shows up in the form of the numerous fords of McGillivary Creek and the wet and sometimes boggy sections of trail. For the less adventurous you might want to save this for a drier day late in August or September. Remember to bring along a dry pair of shoes for the drive.

From Coleman the trail begins on a dry good gravel road until you arrive at the Youth camp at which point the trail becomes a gentle trip along a needle-covered dirt road. The road follows parallel to McGillivary Creek through the serene forest setting into a clearing below the Seven Sisters. At any junction along the way always take the junction that parallels the creek.

Although not the most scenic of trail you must stop along the way to take in the views of Ma Butte and the volcanic ridges to the east. These ridges are the only Volcanics in the Canadian Rockies. Near the end of the trail there is a clearing where the Seven Sisters and the north side of Crowsnest Mountain come into view. Just prior to arriving at the clearing you may find the trail becoming very bog like. During June and July the bog can be skirted around by foot.