Valemount’s Swift Creek Loop a perfect easy-access hike
By Laura Keil
If you’re staying in the Village of Valemount and looking to get out for a hike but don’t have a 4×4, the Swift Creek Loop is a great option. You can walk to the trailhead or park your vehicle or lock your bike just off Main Street (other side of the bridge over Swift Creek) and start there. The trail provides a moderate amount of elevation gain and descent (150m/500ft, but some rolling trail and steep sections) and a good number of steps (8.5km/5.3mi).
The calming rush of the creek, the huge cedar trees on the other side of a short suspension bridge, the lookout over Valemount and surrounding mountains, the lichen, mushrooms and other plant life are all what make this route a favourite among locals and visitors.
In September you can occasionally see spawning salmon close to the municipal water intake. The Village gets its drinking water from this stream, please respect that this is a watershed. Keep yourself and your pets out of the water so as not to disturb the delicate salmon redds (nests). Chinook salmon are more commonly seen closer to the Visitor Centre in Swift Creek and usually begin spawning in mid-August.
Important Notes
The Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association is currently working on re-routing a 200m stretch of wet trail under the Southern Traverse (for those that know the trail, it’s that typically boggy section right before you climb the steep hill back to 5-Mile Road). They also plan to do some brushing of overgrown forest on the north side. The re-route has been roughed in but it still needs a little more work, according to YORA. A bridge to cross the small creek at the beginning of the reroute will be installed in September.
Mountain biking trails intersect at various spots along the way, watch for the #6 markers which will keep you on the main hiking trail. To avoid walking down 5-Mile (which can be very dusty due to biking shuttle vehicles) watch for the sign across the road which will allow you to access a new trail leading you to the bottom of 5-Mile, leading to Juniper Street just off Main Street where you started.
As always, watch out for bears. Be sure to make lots of noise so you don’t surprise them and they have time to leave to avoid an encounter. The mosquitoes can be bad during the spring and summer, although when I hiked this 3 weeks ago there were hardly any mosquitoes. Still, bug spray and/or a bug shirt are recommended.
For more local trails visit hikevalemount.com
Summary
Distance (Loop): 8.5km/5.3mi
Approx. time: 2-2.5hrs (full loop)
Elevation gain: 150 m/500 ft
Trailhead coordinates: 52.838697°, -119.267809°
