Since being back, Ryan and I have been trying to enjoy being outdoors as much as possible. With our decision to move to Canmore also came our decision to hike more and to explore our backyard – the Rocky Mountains. Not everybody gets to live in the mountains, so we might as well take advantage of living so close to them, and the fact that we currently have lots and lots of time on our hands.
First up was Ha Ling peak, which is one of my favourite hikes. Short and sweet, yet a killer workout. It takes about an hour and a half to get up to the top of Ha Ling, where you have one of the most beautiful views of Canmore and the Bow Valley. The hike is not very giving, so prepare to literally climb straight up a mountain for an hour and a half. This was my third go at Ha Ling, and it definitely doesn’t get easier each time I do it (perhaps if I started doing it weekly it might get easier!), but knowing how amazing the view is it at the top is one motivator for not stopping and turning around. Plus, going down isn’t easy either, as the rocks are slippery and it is a fight to not simply run or tumble down the mountain. If only they had a zip line from top to bottom!
Next, we headed out to Kananaskis for a day hiking Sulphur Springs. This hike was much different than Ha Ling. We had only small elevation gains, and although the path was steadily going up or down either way, it was a fairly relaxed hike. The entire hike is a bit over 12 km, and it leaves you tired and feeling well exercised. Most of the trail was in the trees, but when we got out of the trees, the view of the mountains and the foothills was jaw droopingly beautiful.
A few days after Sulphur Springs, Ryan and I made our way out to Canmore to stay for a couple days to start training at work. Because our rental wasn’t available until August 1, we were stuck without anywhere to sleep. Hotels were way too expensive, so we ended up staying at The Hostel Bear in Canmore. It was weird walking into a Canadian hostel, after frequenting so many hostels around the world. I felt nervous and awkward, wondering if they were going to ask me for my passport, which I didn’t have on hand. Of course, they didn’t, and the entire check in process was easy and standard for a hostel. We ended up in a dorm room with some interesting people who appeared to be living in the hostel while trying to find somewhere to live. Needless to say, their stuff was everywhere and they were pleasant only up until the point that they found out that we had found somewhere to live come August 1 and they hadn’t. The first night, a bunch of them came stumbling back to the room at 3am, only to have a very loud conversation. This is one of my biggest pet peeves, and I have no tolerance for rude people in dorm rooms, so I asked them to be quiet. It’s fair to say that I went to my first shift of training tired the next day, and our dorm mates were not destined to be our new best friends in Canmore. Outside of the people, the hostel was really nice. It had a large common space, and a nice kitchen, and all of the amenities seemed to be new. Although it didn’t have the atmosphere that most hostels abroad have, it was definitely an interesting experience.
In between Ryan learning how to make tea, and me learning all about life in luon, we made time to hike Grotto Canyon, which is a short hike just outside of Canmore. You only hike about 5km through the river bed and into the canyon. I have to admit that I expected the canyon to be deeper, but the view from the top of the surrounding mountains was amazing. Apparently this hike is beautiful in winter, and although I think it would be quiet challenging to walk on ice and snow up the canyon, I do think it would be breathtaking. Perhaps next time we do Grotto Canyon, there will be more water and we’ll be able to see the waterfall, which while we were there was nothing more than a dribble of water over a rock. C’est la vie!
After our interesting hostel experience, we were beyond excited to move into our place in Canmore. We have a beautiful view of Ha Ling and the neighbouring mountain, which are humbling to look at throughout the day. We also have high ceilings and lots of light, making our space feel large and homey. We were fortunate to have our first visiter last week – my friend Elizabeth. E and I spent a beautiful Sunday visiting on the couch, and hiking Grassi Lakes. I was pleasantly surprised with Grassi Lakes. Although it is only a 2 hour hike, you get some elevation and at one point, I found I was panting and sweating from talking so much while attempting to walk! The downside of Grassi Lakes is that it is incredibly busy due to the climbing walls that are available at the top of the lakes. However, it is well marked, which makes it a pleasant hike to do. It would be fairly difficult to get lost! We hiked to the lakes, and wandered around them, snapping photos of the beautiful aquamarine water, before settling on a rock overlooking the lakes to enjoy the view of Canmore, Lady MacDonald mountain and Grotto mountain. This is definitely a hike I will do again!
My goal for the summer was to do 5 hikes, and since I have already done 4, I think it’s safe to say that I will meet and exceed my goal. Since I cannot be traveling, I mine as well explore Alberta! When we are not hiking the surrounding mountains, Ryan and I have now started work, falling into a more “normal” schedule, one might say. On one of my last days off I biked the 50km Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff, and although I nearly died not having a road bike, the views were definitely worth it!
