The White Buddha – Vents Ridge loop hike is ideal for those of you would want a short climb and a steep descent with a great view of the Elbow Valley, not far from Bragg Creek. You can knock it off in a few hours, even after work on a summer evening. It’s an interesting one too – as you’ll probably see climbers bouldering on White Buddha – or on the crag on the descent.
If you’re a regular on the Prairie Mountain hike, then I think you’d love this hike – simply as a way to change things up, get a different view – and a decent workout (though there isn’t as much elevation gain as Prairie) in just a couple of hours.
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Distance: Approximately 6 km as a loop hike starting at the Powderface Creek trailhead and finishing at the Prairie Creek trailhead on Highway 66 near Elbow Falls.
Elevation gain: 360 m or 1181 feet to Vents Ridge
Time needed: 2 – 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate – because of the steep descent off Vents Ridge. Younger kids could get to White Buddha or the top of Vents Ridge, but I wouldn’t recommend the steep hike down.
Good to know: The White Buddha trail is sometimes referred to as the Corri Robb trail.
Dogs: Permitted on a leash.
Wildlife: Even though I’ve never seen a bear on any of the hikes I’ve done in the area, I’d still recommend quick to access bear spray.
Permits: You will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
Don’t forget: Pack the hiking essentials and practice the seven Leave No Trace principles. Be sure to tell someone where you’re going and please pack out any garbage.
Hiking gear: Hiking poles and microspikes are helpful in the shoulder season when you might run into snow or ice.
Take Highway 66 to Elbow Falls. You can park in the Elbow Falls parking lot, along Highway 66 as pictured below – about 300 m past the Elbow Falls turnoff, or in the Powderface Creek trail parking lot. Arrive early on a good weather weekend.
The best time to do the White Buddha Vents Ridge hike is from mid-spring until November. I know people do an out and back hike to White Buddha in winter because the upper section is in the sun, but I wouldn’t recommend doing Vents Ridge in the winter. The steep descent on a narrow trail isn’t safe when covered with snow and ice.
At the bottom of the steep descent you’ll cross Prairie Creek, and in spring the flow can be quite high. The bridge is narrow, and some hikers may find it a bit uncomfortable.
If you’re a Prairie Mountain regular – and would like to change it up on occasion, the White Buddha Vents Ridge hike is a great option. You’ll get a great workout with only a half day commitment. It’s cool to see the cliffs (and the rock climbers) that make up White Buddha – and the views from Vents Ridge are superb.
My description takes you in a clockwise direction – so count on a very steep descent to the Prairie Creek Trail. If you’d prefer to hike up to Vents Ridge and down from White Buddha, simply follow the directions in reverse.
We started at the Powderface Creek trailhead. The trail is largely in the forest with little in the way of views for the first 1.1 km. If you’re doing the hike in shoulder season, I’d recommend microspikes as it can be very icy in the shady sections.
About 100 m after you cross the bridge, a kilometre into the hike, look for a narrow trail on your right heading steeply up. See the picture showing the sharp turn below. Also note how icy the Powderface Creek trail is in early November.
Gain about 200 m on the 700- metre-long trail to reach White Buddha once you’ve left the Powderface Creek trail.
There is a good trail alongside the White Buddha cliffs. Don’t linger where rockfall could be an issue. At the far end of the cliffs there’s one last scrambly steeper section to get to Vents Ridge – and then the views unfold.
From the top of Vents Ridge, you can simply retrace your steps back to the car for a 5 km return hike. If you’re a family with younger children, that would be the smart thing to do.
Otherwise, head off into the woods on a good trail. It’s about 1.3 km down to meet up with the Prairie Creek trail. Most of it is very steep – but also beautiful with all the white-grey rock and fun to hike. The crag is surprisingly long. There were several occasions where John and I thought we were at the end of it, only to see it continue.
Wait till the snow goes to do it, unless you’re a very experienced hiker with the right equipment like poles and microspikes.
Once you reach the Prairie Creek trail, you’re home free. It’s just 2 km to Highway 66 from here on a good wide trail. Most of it is downhill – but nothing too steep.
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