Nakiska Ridgetop Weather Station – 50° 56’ 37” N 115° 11’ 23” W

Being tethered in place is much worse for some than others.

As COVID restrictions have flattened our appetite for straying too far from home, we have dedicated this summer to exploring the less-known trails close to us. We are doing mostly day-trips. Names that we have heard mentioned – Sarrail Ridge, Windy Tower, Old Goat Creek – have been added to a list of Hikes We’ve Been Meaning To Get To. We decided that adding to our quiver of “known hikes” will make it easier to show our future guests a good time. When it is overcast (or smoky), you can still hike – you just stay in the valleys and trees. If you are hiking with friends that aren’t used to the altitude (or who aren’t as fit), there are less strenuous hikes. Some hikes feature waterfalls. Some hikes are more technical (meaning there could be some light climbing/scrambling). Some hikes have criss-cross back and forth over streams, with quaint bridges. Some hikes have panoramic views … but require going up 1,000+ metres to access those views.

Although each hike is quite spectacular in retrospect, I haven’t been blogging about each individual one. Here’s a summary of some of our outings.


Click on any of the pictures below for a BIGGER view.

June hike, on our way to Old Goat Glacier


Pip on the Ha Ling stairs

Hiking through the smoke on the way to Helen Lake

Old Goat Creek valley

Canmore and the Bow Valley from the top of EEOR (East End of Rundle Mtn.)

Parker Ridge with Mya and Pip

Bow Lake in the smoke

Fire carnage on the way to Helen Lake

Sometimes we hike with wheels.
Here we are riding the Bow Valley Parkway to Lake Louise
with Sean, Gaetanne, Chris and Anne-Marie

Early morning shadows, volunteering for Epic Trail Day at Canmore Nordic Centre

Centennial Ridge Hike

Leaving Mt. Allen Summit

Grassi Knob and Three Sisters behind

The cairn at Olympic Peak

Sentinel rocks on the Centennial Ridge trail

Pip having lunch on the way to Old Goat Glacier






As I write this, Kate is packing our packs to climb Sarrail Ridge with Jim and Grace tomorrow.  I think a campfire tonight will be the prelude to a night dirtbagging in the van, then an early start at the trailhead to beat the crowds.


Heigh ho, heigh ho ...



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