The Icefields

Had a few days off, so we ventured up the Icefields Highway for some camping and hiking. My daughter was taking a few days of mountaineering courses through Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, and had a campsite at the Icefields campground (Jasper National Park), so we took it over from her. The weather was supposed to get better (ha!).

We did a late afternoon hike up Parker's Ridge, and then beyond on a ridge heading towards Mt Athabasca. We had fabulous views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, and the huge peaks around Athabasca. Very cool coral fossils abound in the area. Pretty much everything is above tree line here, since the highway is at 2000m.

The next day, we hiked behind the campground towards Wilcox Pass. A couple of Park's Canada's famous red chairs overlook the Athabasca Glacier on the trail above the campground. What a view! But the view got better once we turned off the trail and wandered across the alpine meadow to gain the ridge up Mt Wilcox. Towards the top of the mountain, it starts getting a bit sketchy, with some exposure, and very steep chimneys/gullies. But our lunch spot was unsurpassed!

On the way down, a dozen  Big Horn rams were lazing in the sun on the ridge. We had to circle around them - catching some cool photos of the beasts while doing so. Pretty much a National Geographic moment!

The following day proved to be rainy, and we pulled the plug. But we have to go back! This area is so incredible! And only 2.5 hours drive from Grandview Chalet B&B in Canmore.

Sport Climbing, Heart Creek

Located just 15 minutes east of Canmore, and a short hike in, is one of the several sport climbing sites in the front ranges of the Rockies. The bolted climbs are scattered about 20 minutes up Heart Creek, in a limestone canyon with a small pleasant creek. About a half-rope in height, the climbs are certainly challenging for a variety of experienced and semi-experienced climbers. Obviously, you need trained climbers to lead, and set the ropes. But once top-roped, anybody can try it.

My daughter has been begging me to come out on one of their Wednesday evening outings, so I tagged along. She is fortunate to be able to learn from her aunt, and her husband. A couple of other characters also came along, and provided additional lead support. I couldn't have better help!

After a couple of hours, the leads cleaned the route, and we helped ourselves to important re-hydration fluids, and hiked out in the dark.

Tent Ridge - Horseshoe Ridge Walk

Perhaps not the easiest to get along on the proper trail approach, this hike is a premier ridge walk with outstanding vistas of the vertically-thrust front range peaks in and around Spray Lakes. Again, this drive is about 30-40 minutes south of Canmore, along a dusty gravel road. You turn at Engadine Lodge, and drive a short ways towards the Mt Shark recreational area.

As the name implies, this ridge walk is in the shape of a horseshoe - you walk up into the beautiful alpine meadow in the middle, and the trail cuts left, and up onto the ridge climb. The climb is somewhat scrambly, but for most accomplished hikers, it's not too bad. Going clockwise around the ridge is probably safest, as you're going up the scramble steps, and not down them.

Soon you reach the first of three peaklets - this one offering fine views of Tryst Lake, The Fist, and even distant views of Robertson Glacier. The next peak's decent is one to be done carefully, but soon enough it levels out onto a pretty easy cruise to the final peaklet. Dropping back down to the forest is very steep - love to have poles at that point! At any rate, check out a few of the photos (including one or two panorama stiched photos).

By the way: Engadine Lodge is under new ownership, with big plans. We've stayed there is the winter, and it's a great place.