The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Day Hikes in the Canadian Rockies

As my month staying in Dead Man’s Flats (near Canmore and Banff, Alberta) comes to an end and the next stage of my adventure approaches, I find that I have only begun to scratch the surface of the outdoor opportunities this area offers.  Indeed, most of my hikes were within a 30-40 minutes’ drive of my condo; I never even visited several provincial and national parks that were within easy driving distance for a day trip.  It looks like I’ll have to return to do justice to the Canadian Rockies!

Johnston Creek, a very popular (and easy) day hike near Banff
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls
Bow Mt. and Bow Lake from the Helen Lake trail.  The Bow River rises above its eponymous lake.  The hike to Helen Lake is a popular one from the Icefields Parkway.
Lake Helen and Cirque Peak, Banff National Park.  I only climbed the 100 meters to the ridge shown, not the extra 400 meters needed to reach the summit.
The aptly named Dolomite Peak from the ridge above Lake Helen
Lake Helen from the ridge
Mt Lougheed from Wind Ridge.  The trailhead was only a few kilometers from my Dead Man’s Flat condo.
Canmore from Mt. Lawrence Grassi summit.  Mt Lawrence Grassi is 900 meters straight up from the Spray Lakes Road.  I was the only one of the mountain that day.
Goat Lake from Mt Lawrence Grassi summit
Wildflowers on the C-level Cirque trail near Lake Minnewanka
Lake Louise view towards the Plains of the Six Glaciers and Mt Victoria.  It seemed that most of the province was at Lake Louise that day.
Pink columbines along the Plain of the Six Glaciers trail
View of Victoria Glacier (much of which is covered with debris) from a lateral moraine
Mt Cory (left) and Mt Edith with Cory Pass as the low point between them
The crux of the Mt Edith climb is this 15 meter chimney, about hip width and fortunately not as steep as it looks.
Mt Cory and Cory Pass from Mt Edith summit
The impressive south face of Mt Loius (right) as seen from Mt Edith summit.  Definitely NOT a scrambler’s objective!
Mt Yamnuska scrambling route to the summit (at right).  Apart from a section with chains, the scrambling was straightforward.
Mt Yamnuska summit view of the descent route to the West.  Lots of “boot skiing” was enjoyed on this descent.
Heart Mt. from near Heart Creek trailhead, just down the road from Dead Man’s Flats
Lac des Arcs (sans cement plant) from Heart Mt. summit
Unnamed twin peaks from Grant MacEwen summit, the second peak of the Heart Mountain horseshoe traverse
A Mt Grant MacEwen Hoary Marmot. Or is it a small bear?
The route to Cascade Mt. summit.  At more than 1500 meters ascent, Cascade Mountain was the longest hike I did in the Canadian Rockies
Big Horn sheep on Cascade Mt. ridge
The Cascade Mt. summit traverse. Despite appearances, no snow was on the trail; with snow or ice it can be quite hazardous.
The Vagabond Hiker on top of Cascade Mt. (2998m)
Cascade summit view southeast to Lake Minnewanka.  The smoke was quite bad that afternoon in the Banff area.
Horse Thief Canyon, Drumheller, Alberta. Red Deer River is in the background.  Part of the Badlands, Drumheller is about one hour drive east of Calgary.
Maggie in Horse Thief Canyon, Drumheller, Alberta

My next post will feature some photos from day trips around Reykjavik, Iceland.  In the mean time,

Happy Trails,

The Vagabond Hiker

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. You’re going to Iceland?! Awesome. Thanks for sharing your adventures! The pictures tell a beautiful tale.

    • Yes, I’m doing a 5-day “Reykjavik Recon” next week. There are some great hikes right around the capital that I hope to check out.

  2. I remember that area well and going up Mount Randel. I am in Solida Colorado halfway through my Colorado Trail backpack. Happy trails

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