If you are looking for a fun, short hike to break up the drive between Calgary and Fernie, then hiking to the Star Creek Falls in Crowsnest Pass is a great option. It's a really short hike (less than 2km out and back), but most of the hike is comprised of traversing the river over stepping stones and logs, plus an interesting climb using a chain to get to the final waterfall. Our kids absolutely loved it!
Keep reading this blog post for all the essentials you’ll need to enjoy the Star Creek Falls Hike in Crowsnest Pass, including key details of the hike, plenty of photos to show you what the hike is really like, and an FAQ section that answers everything else that you need to know about the hike.
STAR CREEK FALLS HIKE OVERVIEW
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STAR CREEK FALLS HIKE - KEY INFORMATION
Here is the key hike information:
How Long is the Bear's Hump Trail?
It depends which route you take. If you opt for the loop (loops around the top of the falls), it is a 2.1km loop trail. We chose to walk up the creek instead, which was around 1.5 km out and back and hugged the creek. Definitely more fun in my opinion as well!
How Difficult is the Trail?
Mostly easy but there are a few river crossings to navigate by using stepping stones and logs. There is one moderately difficult section where you need to use a chain to climb up a rock slab, but to put it into perspective, I think our kids could of made it without the chain.
What is the Elevation Gain?
Mostly flat. 96m of elevation according to All Trails
How Long did the Hike Take?
The trail took us around 40 minutes. It would take longer if it was summer as you might want to paddle in the falls and winter would be more challenging due to icy conditions, so I would give it 1h to 1h 30 mins.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
You can hike this year round. If you go in the winter then winter spikes are recommended.
HOW TO FIND THE START OF THE TRAIL HEAD
It's worth noting that depending on the type of vehicle that you are driving, you have two options as to where to park.
Most people park along the road at the bottom of the hill (see the first X on the map). However, there is a short but steep and fairly uneven road that you can drive up, to park a little closer to the falls. We didn't attempt it with our Ford Escape, and I think you would need a truck to do it safely. In the winter I suspect it could be pretty icy too.
Once at the top, head to the left and you will come to the creek. From there walk upstream along the creek and you come to a bridge where you can choose the route you are going to take.
WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I TAKE?
You have two different options:
Take the "Upstream" Route, which hugs the creek and leads you to the bottom of the waterfall via some fun river crossings and a chain climb.
Take the "Loop" hike, which is a hike that loops around the top of the waterfall, giving you a different perspective of the falls from above.
We decided that we'd have more fun with the kids navigating the river, so we opted for the upstream route. If you want to take this route, you need to stick to the trail to the right of this bridge and do not cross (as this will take you on the loop hike).
Continue along the path as it hugs the creek closely. If you have young kids there are a few areas where they will need to mind their step but nothing crazy.
NAVIGATING THE RIVER CROSSINGS AND CHAIN CLIMB
Eventually the path will drop down into the creek and you will get to a point where you have to cross the creek to continue. There are various stepping stones and bridges made out of logs to help you cross. We visited in September and the water was low enough that you could have crossed through the creek wearing water shoes if you wanted. In spring time the water levels can be a lot higher and would make the crossing a lot more difficult.
After multiple crossings you will reach the lower falls, which is where it starts to get a little more challenging, and some people may choose to turn around. If you are wanting to continue then you will need to cross the creek one last time, and make your way to the base of a large rock slab where a chain is located (you can see it on the photo below on the left hand side).
We noticed that the rocks were quite slippery and there were some areas with loose gravel which made it a little tricky, but take it slowly and you'll be fine. Now the fun part - the chain climb! This is perfect for kids as it's challenging but not overly dangerous. There is a little shelf at the top where kids can wait for adults to join them. The climb could be a little challenging for any children under 6 or anyone that struggles with mobility, so use your judgement.
Once you've navigated the chain climb, its a fairly easy scramble over rocks until you get to the Upper Star Creek Falls.
THE WATERFALL
The waterfall itself is pretty, and it's fairly accessible meaning that you can get pretty close to the water (or at least you can in the summer). The girls enjoyed being 'rained on' with the spray from the falls. In the late summer and fall you could definitely take a little paddle / swim if you were so inclined.
That's it! You now return the way you came, being careful on the chain climb down.
If you fancy a short extra hike you could always do the Upper Loop hike afterwards by crossing the bridge that you passed earlier on the trail.
THE STAR CREEK FALLS HIKE - FAQ
Is the Star Creek Falls Hike Suitable for Kids?
Yes, this is a really fun hike for kids, as they loved crossing the river on logs and using the chain to climb up the rock boulder. Children under the age of 6 may find the chain climb difficult, but it should be manageable for most active kids.
Is the Hike Dog Friendly?
Kind of. The chain section would be a little challenging with bigger dogs.
Is the Chain Section Dangerous?
Not really. The chain section should be suitable for most adults and active kids if you are careful.
Can I Swim in the Falls?
You could definitely paddle in the pool at the Upper Falls, although even in the summer, it will be cold.
What Wildlife Might I Encounter on the Trail?
This trail is definitely in bear country, so carry bear spray with you, and know how to use it.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
Bear spray – This hike is in bear country. Make lots of noise (I’m pretty sure no bears would want anything to do with our noisy kids though!)
Good Hiking boots – This is definitely not a flip flop type of hike! Make sure the whole family has some good hiking boots as you do have to walk over quite a few rocks and scree on the way up.
Phone – Quite a bit of the trail does have signal so it’s worth bringing with you from a safety standpoint, plus you’ll probably want to take a photo or two…..
Food and Water – Bring lots of water! We recently bought both of our kids Camelbaks so that they can drink on the go and it has been a game changer! Bring plenty of snacks and gummy treats!
First Aid Kit – I always recommend bringing a basic first aid kit in your bag as a precaution.
Walking Poles – you may feel more comfortable descending through the rocky areas by using poles. We didn’t, but many people were.
ENJOY EXPLORING THE STAR CREEK FALLS
The Star Creek Falls is a bit of a hidden gem in Crowsnest Pass, along the route between Calgary and Fernie. It's well worth stopping to break up the journey, or if you are in the area exploring. Our kids loved it!
As always, if you have any questions about the hike feel free to ask away in the comments section!
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