Prairie View Trail

What You Need to Know

The upper part of Prairie View Trail near the lookout is rocky and may be difficult for short legged dogs like Daschunds, Corgis, Pekinese, etc. to navigate. The hike across the dam is exposed and can be very windy. This can be a popular trail at times in the summer and is shared with mountain bikers. You will probably meet other hikers and maybe other dogs. Don’t forget your camera!

The trail starts from the Barrier Dam parking lot. Walk across the causeway and follow the trail to the right. You will come to a sign post that shows Prairie View Trail going up to the left. The trail follows a wide fire road, switch backing up to a viewpoint of Barrier Lake. You could turn around here and head back down or continue up to the next lookout point. This is where the rocky part of the trail is. Past the rocky area you will see a large white panel and can continue up to the right to the fire lookout. This will present a great view of the Bow Valley and Mount Yamnuska. Keep your dog on leash as this is a steep drop off.

If you continue to the left of the white panel, you will have another clear view of Barrier Lake, Mount Baldy and the Kananaskis Valley. Another steep drop off so keep your dog away from the edge. From here you could turn around and go back the same way or follow the trail down the south side of the mountain. This is a winding, pleasant hike through the aspen forest to the junction with the Jewel Pass Trail. Turn left at this junction to get back to Barrier Lake. Halfway along this part of the trail you will come to a waterfall which is a wonderful place to stop and relax.

Follow the trail you are on to the junction with the Stoney Trail and turn left. You have gone 11kms so far! Follow this part of Prairie View Trail another 2kms to a junction and take the right fork. This part meanders along the edge of Barrier Lake. You will come to one more junction and again turn right to head back to the dam and back to the parking lot.