Fernie Ammonite Fossil

I’m honestly not sure how famous the Fernie ammonite fossil is outside my own little bubble, but at least in southern Alberta and southern BC it is quite well known. One of the largest known ammonite fossils in the world, this beauty is found in the mountains east of Fernie, British Columbia.

Online resources show two trails taking you to the fossil site. Both trailheads are located on Coal Creek Road which runs nearly due east from town. It’s an easy enough road to find, but it does get rough away from town. Prior flooding has also destroyed a bridge over Coal Creek and you need to get across this creek to access the trails. It’s all doable, if you’re nimble, but be prepared to test your balance. And be cognisant of seasonal water levels.

The advertised “direct trail” is 1.6 km out and back whereas the longer option is 4.0 km out and back. When we did the hike, we took the longer route as the direct trail was not yet showing on AllTrails. The hike was enjoyable and correctly described as moderate in difficulty. Aside from getting across the creek to start your hike, the most difficult part is the descent into the final creek valley which requires shimmying down a short cliff using a rope and then scrambling up a rocky creek bed.

The town of Fernie is a beautiful mountain escape that caters to nature lovers. There are myriad more hikes available in the immediate area as well as a robust system of mountain bike trails. Accommodations range from hotels to campgrounds, the latter of which I recommend Mount Fernie Provincial Park. And in winter, the ski hill in Fernie is very popular. All of which is to say, a trip to Fernie is most enjoyable no matter what you do there. But going to see the giant ammonite fossil should top your list.