Popular Canmore Crag Remains Closed
Cougar Creek is one of the Bow Valley's best rock climbing areas. It's been off limits for the past few seasons and won't be opening anytime soon
Access to the area has been closed for years, but over the past few summers, rock climbers have accessed the creek via a sneaky new trail that avoids the construction area. It weaved a path high onto Grotto Mountain before dropping back down into the creek via a steep gully.
Alberta Parks has reissued a notice of closure this week, reminding people that the creek is fully off limits. “Cougar Creek canyon from the junction of Montane Trail and Lady Macdonald Trail upstream for approximately one kilometre,” Parks stated here. “Visitors looking for alternatives to Cougar Creek canyon may consider Heart Creek, Grotto Canyon or hire a guide that can safely show you other options.” The reason for the closure is constant blasting of rock.
In 2013, a flood devastated much of southern Alberta, including the residential areas around Cougar Creek in Canmore. Since then, the Town of Canmore has been working on installing a permanent structure. The town has had to hire several contractors, pay millions of dollars and push the end date of the project back to 2025 or later.
What climbs are in Cougar Creek? In winter, only really Ghoster Coaster, but in summer, there are hundreds of sport climbs at famous crags, including Planet X (one of the Rockies busiest for 5.13 and 5.14 climbs) and Casino Wall (one of the Rockies busiest crags for 5.10 climbs). Hiking trails and the East-Southeast Ridge 5.5 of Lady MacDonald are all found up in Cougar Creek.
The Illusionist 5.14 in Cougar
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