October 2015

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As October comes to a close, we're still having lots of outdoor fun! We've been out on several hikes/scrambles, a lot of mountain biking, and a wee bit of kayaking. It has been a very dry month (not unusual), with nice temperatures ranging from daytime highs of +5 to +20C. What's not to like?

Certainly the mornings can be cool, so you have to bring along a few thin layers to shed here and there, but if you like active, it's easy to stay in a cool operating temperature. And trail conditions are excellent due to no rain.

The crowds are gone, the highways are relatively quiet: love it!




Mt Grotto scramble

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Another gorgeous fall day in the Canadian Rockies!! Instead of heading out to view the beautiful larches, we opted for a south-facing scramble up Mt Grotto, which is on the opposite side of the valley from Grandview Chalet B&B in Canmore, AB. While not a technical scramble, it rises 1425m (4675') from the start at the Alpine Club of Canada clubhouse. And it is an unrelenting pitch that you really notice on the way down!

The aspens were in full colour, as you make your way out of the valley. There are a few confusing intersections of trails initially, but you basically stay to the left of the massive canyon where the Rat's Nest Cave system is. You can arrange for guided tours of the cave system out of Canmore. They are quite interesting.

About the time you reach treeline, you've reached the NW ridge that you follow to he peak (2706m, or 8878'). The ridge is really excellent to follow, with huge views of the Bow Valley all the way to Banff, and the prairies to the east. Mt Assiniboine, at 3616m, is an obvious peak to the south.  If you keep your eyes open along the ridge, you will see Devonian coral fossils such as the one pictured below (~350 million years old). 

The route took about 6.5 hours - it will take a few days to unknot the quads!

Healy to Harvey: A spectacular alpine traverse

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Between some rainy spells, the Canadian Rockies were in a short September heat wave. Last Friday, we went for a hike in the high alpine that was stunning, albeit a fair distance (8 hours). We dropped a car at the Bourgeau Lake trailhead on the TransCanada highway (west of the Banff townsite), then drove up to the Sunshine Ski Area parking lot. Healy Pass, from there,  is a 655m elevation gain - but since you're starting up high, it's really not long before you're in the alpine.

Once at Healy, where there are views of Egypt Lake, you can wander towards Harvey Pass. We picked our own route - the massive peak of Bourgeau is a pretty good landmark as you go up ridges, and cross various sub-basins. A map is a pretty good idea - even on a brilliant day.

On this day, the bluebird skies highlighted the recent snows on various peaks including Monarch, Assiniboine (3620m), Goat's Eye, Lookout, , and the infamous Delirium Dive ski route off Lookout. Once at Harvey Pass, which is on your way to the peak of Bourgeau, you descend for 1035m (3400') back to where you hopefully left the car and some comfortable sandals.

The start of this hike is only 30 minutes west of Grandview Chalet B&B in Canmore.