Warm chinook winds melt the snow and ice on this Alberta ‘wishbone’ trail

If you’re looking for a winter trail with some acclimate weather, this one near Waterton should be on your wish list.

Although access to Waterton Lakes National Park normally requires a national parks pass, the government will be offering the Canada Strong Pass with free admission and 25 per cent off camping and overnight stays from Dec. 12 to Jan. 15. That makes Waterton the ideal spot for an Alberta-based getaway this holiday season.

The eastern end of the park frequently experiences warm chinook winds that melt the snow and thaw black ice, keeping the trail clear with relatively mild weather. If you’re not bothered by headaches from chinooks, this is a pleasantly warm place to hike.

This 6 km out-and-back trail boasts gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and waters, plus it’s listed as an easy hike that everyone can enjoy no matter the time of year.

What to expect

The eastern end of the park frequently experiences warm chinook winds that melt snow and thaw ice, often leaving the Wishbone Trail with milder weather. It’s an ideal way to hike past Maskinonge Lake and get a stunning view of Lower Waterton Lake, glazed over in ice.

You’ll find the trailhead on the Chief Mountain Highway (Highway 6), south of the park gates. The trailhead is not clearly marked from the road, but it can be located right next to the sign of Belly River Campground.

The walk from Wishbone Trail to Lower Waterton Lake is relatively flat, with fabulous views of Mt. Crandell, Mt. Alderson and Bertha Peak. It goes for a long way out, about 6 km, and past 7 km, you’ll start to hit avalanche territory. You can continue on to Middle Waterton Lake or even Crypt Landing.

In wintertime, spikes are recommended to traverse the icy terrain. But if you’re game to brave the cold, Wishbone Trail can offer some pristine mountain views, and maybe a glimpse of some wildlife or two. When Chinooks pass through the area, you can drink in the warm temperatures and enjoy watching the natural thaw.

It’s a stunning, easy hike that’s ideally completed in the early hours of the morning, so you can catch the pink sunrise over the mountains.

Don’t forget to brush up on your bear and avalanche safety before you make the trip. Let us know how your trip to Wishbone goes!

Wishbone Trail

Where: Waterton Park, Alta.
How to get there: Drive three hours south of Calgary via Highway 2

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