Opal Creek is a gorgeous entry to the inner sanctum of the Opal Range of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, but with a tricky approach. The trail is accessed from the Elpoca day use area.

Opal Falls

Opal Falls presents a formidable and impassable barrier to the upper valley. There are good (but braided) trails from the Elpoca Viewpoint parking lot, leading to the falls, but no way to get up valley from here.

Gillean Daffern's "Slithering Gully"

The practical route, described by Gillean Daffern, starts about 300 metres down the Valleyview Trail from this parking lot, and follows up a ridge. We were not able to follow this route due to a Valleyview Trail bear closure in our July 18, 2009 exploration. We went up what she describes as a “slithering gully.” Do not take this route if you have any choice. It is extremely steep and loose and most unpleasant to climb or descend.

View from top of the ridge

This is the view from the top of the ridge (300metres of climb), of the Mangin Glacier and Waka Nambe pinnacle across the Kananasksis Lakes. You could enjoy this view without coming up the gully (apart from the bear closure).

Awesome slot canyon of Opal Creek

From the top you get a view down the awesome canyon, certainly the wildest, most impassable gorge I have seen in the Canadian Rockies.

The Opal Range inner sanctum

There is a surprisingly good trail up the ridge and into the upper valley, the inner sanctum of the rugged Opal Range, which includes a front range east of the Kananaskis Trail (Highway 40) and a second, higher, range, which divides Peter Lougheed Park from the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park.

Man-made post in the wilderness

In the middle of this remote and wild place there is a sturdy man-made post. Who put it up and for what reason remain a mystery of history.

Meadows of Opal Creek

In July the lush green meadows and flowers are knee deep. The going above the trail is fairly easy, with much open country and game trails through fingers of subalpine forest.

View from head of Opal Creek

There is a great view from the head of the creek, right at the treeline. We saw 15 sheep grazing at the very top of a col and outlier of Mount Jerram.

The trip is about 10 km and 750m of elevation gain.

Ramblers July 18, 2009 exploration team Francis, Chau and Carl, coordinator and scribe.