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McConnell Ridge 100 m N
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Barrier Lookout Trail

Near Lac Des Arcs · Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park

Easy · Out and back

Trail score 61 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

McConnell Ridge 100 m Open the map

About this trail

Barrier Lookout Trail is a 1.2 km out and back trail near Lac Des Arcs in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park. It runs 0.6 km each way. The route gains 122 m in total and tops out at 2,004 m. Hike Alberta rates it easy. Allow about 50 minutes of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 70 m. Along the way you pass the summit of McConnell Ridge, a viewpoint and Barrier Lake Fire Tower. Also used for walking.

Length
1.2km
0.6 km each way
Elevation gain
122m
Estimated time
50min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,004m
Lowest point
1,882m

Elevation profile

1,882 m to 2,004 m
2,0041,882 0 km0.6 km

Highest point 2,004 m, lowest 1,882 m, 122 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 37% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

0% LTE · 100% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 0.0 kmViewpointsAt 0.0 and 0.5 km
  2. 0.6 kmMcConnell RidgeSummit · 1,981 m
  3. 0.6 kmYatesViewpoint
  4. 0.6 kmBarrier Lake Fire TowerLookout tower

Good for

  • Hiking, Walking
  • Dog friendly (on leash), Kid friendly
  • Summit, Views

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.0463° N, 115.0729° W.

Driving directions

Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Vehicle pass required when parking

Buy pass

Pass details

Vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley need this pass. It is registered to the licence plate. People arriving without a vehicle do not need one, and official exemptions and free days may apply.

$15 daily for one vehicle · $90 yearly for up to three vehicles

Information and prices checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 149 trails in Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30