Arethusa Cirque

July 19, 2021. A hike with kids to a picturesque cirque near the Highwood Pass. Region: Kananaskis Country. Traditional territory of the Tsuu T’ina, Stoney Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 4.9 km loop Elevation Gain: 270 m Elevation of Objective: 2427 m Total Time: 2h 31m There are 3 cirques clustered around the Highwood […]

Bertha Peak (South Ridge)

June 26, 2021. A straightforward Waterton scramble with great summit views. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina, and Ktunaxa First Nations Distance: 15.5 km round-trip Total Ascent: 1200 m Elevation of Objective: 2450 m Total Time: 7h 15m I tried scrambling to the summit of Bertha Peak 4 years […]

Lineham Falls

June 13, 2021. A hike up the valley between Waterton’s two tallest peaks leading to a spectacular waterfall. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional Territory of the Blackfoot, Ktunaxa, and Tsuu T’ina First Nations Distance: 5.1 km one-way (if going beyond the official trail to stand next to the falls) Elevation Gain: 400 m Elevation […]

North Drywood Falls

May 29, 2021. An easy and popular family hike to an attractive waterfall. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional Territory of the Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 4.1 km one-way Total Ascent: 150 m Elevation of Objective: 1690 m Time: 1h 15m one-way Often just referred to as Drywood Falls, this trail is a […]

Mount Bourgeau

July 17, 2020. A full-day hike in Banff to the summit of the most accessible Canadian Rockies peak above 2900 m. Region: Banff National Park. Traditional Territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations. Distance: 25-30 km round-trip (1 of my apps and my Garmin measured the trip at 30 km, another app measured […]

Stanley Glacier Trail

July 16, 2020. A scenic hike in Kootenay National Park, featuring glaciers, cliffs, boulders and waterfalls. Region: Kootenay National Park. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations. Distance: 11 km round-trip Total Ascent: 395 m Total Time: 3h 55m After an absence of several years, my family returned to Kootenay National Park this summer […]

Takakkaw Falls

July 15, 2020. A visit to a magnificent waterfall in Yoho National Park. Region: Yoho National Park. Traditional territory of the Tsuu T’ina, Ktunaxa, Blackfoot and Kelly Lake Metis First Nations. Distance: 1.4 km return Total Ascent: negligible This is an easy walking trail to one of the most amazing places in the Canadian Rockies: Takakkaw […]

Drywood Mountain

July 10, 2020. A full-day excursion involving biking, scrambling and ridge walking in the Castle Wilderness. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 25 km round-trip Total ascent: 1417 m Elevation of objective: 2473 m (official summit), 2485 m (ridge high-point) Total Time: 7h 33m Climbing Pincher Ridge last week, I spent […]

Pincher Ridge

July 3, 2020. An easy scramble (with some unpleasant bushwhacking) to the summit of Pincher Ridge in the Castle Wilderness, followed by a quick visit to Drywood Falls. Region: Castle Wilderness. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 14.7 km round-trip Total ascent: 1082 m Elevation of objective: 2426 m Total Time: 4h 49m Pincher […]

Avion Ridge via Goat Lake

June 22, 2020. A bike and hike to a high mountain ridge on the northern border of Waterton Lakes National Park. Region: Waterton Lakes National Park. Traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Tsuu T’ina, and Blackfoot First Nations Distance: 21.6 km round-trip (approximately 10 km on bike) Total Elevation Gain: 886 m Elevation of Objective: 2370+ m Total Time: 5h 32m […]