The foothills of the Elbow, often overshadowed by the larger peaks beyond or dismissed as merely a forested maze of bike trails hides ridge top outcrops and big views in all directions.  This trail brings a unique perspective of the foothills.

I began at the Station Flats trail head.  Headed west along the Elbow Trail and took right at the junction for the Sulphur Springs trail which brought me gradually upwards through a pine forest for a couple hours before emerging into the magnificent view of the western face of the foothill.  The trail then meandered southward along the ridge crest before descending down towards the junction with the elbow trail.  I followed the Elbow Trail eastward up and down the valley side while enjoying new and satisfying views of the foothills to the south and east.

And only a half hour from Calgary…