West Wind Pass Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Located near West Wind Pass. A lovely view of the Spray lakes and of Wind Valley.
The hike is 2.1 km long (each way) with an elevation gain of 380 meters (1245 feet).
This trail is listed in Gillian Daffern's great trail guide "Kananaskis Country Trail Guide - Volume 1". A description can also be found at: http://www.trailpeak.com/index.jsp?cat=def&con=trail&val=1507.
The trail is fairly easy to follow, despite what it says in the trail guide. Recent use and addition of cairns has improved route finding since the guide was last revised. It should be a good family hike with older children. Just make sure you wear proper hiking footwear.
Park at N50 58.567 W115 19.297
This is 4.8 km south of the Spray District Office at Spurling Creek on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (Hwy.742).
The cache is placed so that those heading up Windtower do not need to go out of their way. If you are fit and like a good climb, the walk to the top of Windtower is straightforward and gives even better views than the pass. This hike is also well described in Gillian Daffern's great trail guide "Kananaskis Country Trail Guide - Volume 1" and another description can be found at http://www.trailpeak.com/index.jsp?cat=hike&con=trail&val=1510.
With both hikes it is usually windy at the pass and the summit, but the trails themselves are well sheltered from the wind.
Update March 28, 2005
At the trailhead, there is a sign indicating that the West Wind Valley is closed during the winter from December 1 to June 15 each year. This closure does NOT affect the trail from the Spray lakes to West Wind pass. It is a seasonal closure of the Wind Valley, which is the valley to the north of the pass. The Wind Valley is closed for this period as it is a prime winter range and breeding area for Elk and Sheep
If you plan to travel during this period, please ensure that you approach the pass from the Spray Lakes (normal route) and not from the Wind Valley. The route from the Wind Valley should also be considered to be quite difficult and not recommended at any time.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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