Sheep Trail (Teskey Road to Bluerock Creek) | Trip Reports | Kananaskis Outdoors Forum

On Saturday I forded the Sheep River at Gorge Creek and hiked to Bluerock Creek via Teskey Road and Sheep Trail (biking back along the road). 

You have to know that Teskey Road is there, just across the river.  It is easy enough to find if you persevere through the trees on the other side of the river towards the hillside.  It gives a great view of the Sheep River gorge – with some icicles already clinging to the cliffs across the river.

The section of Sheep Trail from Teskey Road to Dyson Falls seems to get more muddy every time I travel along here, due to the horse traffic, but at this time of year it is no problem as it is all frozen!  Dyson Falls are a mini-gem – they are quickly icing up.  Traveling west from Dyson Creek along Sheep Trail, look for Junction Hill fire lookout high up on the distant ridge far off to the south (left) – a great hike in summer.

The Kananaskis Country Trail Guide (Third Ed. Vol 2 p168) mentions an open hill (GR648098) to the north of the Sheep Trail, just to the west of Dyson Falls, as being worth a side trip.  I don't know how many times I have passed below this hill as I travelled along the Sheep Trail,  but this time I decided to detour up the easy slopes and found a really nice "hidden" viewpoint at the western end of the gentle ridge.  It is well worth a visit in its own right for anyone who wants a change from the usual route along Sheep Trail between Dyson Falls and Indian Oils bridge.  There was only an inch or two of snow up there, although this changes hourly at this time of year.  I look forward to returning to that hillside on a sunny summer's day to enjoy the view and to soak up some sun. 

I have found that the Sheep Trail makes a very good late season hike. especially since the Sheep River can be safely crossed at this time of year.  I could see that a large party of hikers had passed along the main trail to Green Mountain from Indian Oils parking area earlier in the day, but I never saw them.

 Nobody had travelled along the section of Sheep Trail from Indian Oils bridge westwards to Bluerock Creek since the recent snowfall, and there were about 3 inches of fresh snow on the ground.  The trail moves away from the river after some good early views down to the river from some low bluffs, but it is still a pleasant trail for a late season hike.  The nice thing about a light snow cover is that you get to see the prints of all the tiny creatures which scuttle back and forth across the trail.   A second crossing of the river at Bluerock Creek was easily done, brnging me back to my bike hiding under the bridge.

I recommend this route to those who want a little late season adventure.  Hurry as the road closes in two weeks!!