Month: June 2017

Jun

2017

The Tea House at Lake Louise, Alberta

This is a wonderful hike. The first time I hiked up to the Tea House was within the first year I arrived in Calgary. It was work. I had been living at sea level for most of my life and the elevation was a killer. Yesterday's up from Lake Louise wasn't that difficult at all by comparison. Depending on the time of year that you do this hike - bring layers. It was much colder at the top. It was actually kind of blizzardy for a bit. We prefer the slightly cooler weather for hiking. When you are doing fairly steep climbs and working your body warms up. When it is very warm or even sometimes moderately warm you can get to hot very quickly. Always have plenty of water. And always prepare for longer hikes in case there are problems. I know this sounds a bit silly to some but we got caught in a blizzard and it was June 21st - it only lasted 2-30 minutes or so but could easily have lasted 3 hours.

Have fun and be safe.

Jun

2017

Troll Falls Video, Kananaskis, Alberta

This from a couple of weeks ago. Didn’t upload last time properly. There are several falls up behind the first set. Come back along the stream a bit and find a spot to cross on the logs. The path up the hill is just back on the right facing the falls. You can go up on the side you came in on and try and cross at the top but if there is a lot of water(Spring) this will be pretty hard. Once you are up to the top of the first set of falls just keep following the path on and up. There are about 10 sets of falls in total. Quite beautiful. Especially, in the Spring when there is lots of water.

To get to the trailhead parking. Go south on Highway 40 from Highway #1 to the turn off for Kananaskis Village. Mt Allan Drive. Cross the bridge and follow the road less that a kilometre you will see Centennial Drive on the left. JUST past that on your right is an exit to a parking lot. Go there. Park your car. Just past the parking lot on the left you will see a sign for the trail. It forks a couple of times – just follow the one for Troll Falls. Very easy walk. Once you get to the falls you then have to cross the river and climb some steeper stuff. If you want.

It is beautiful there pretty much every season. Enjoy

Jun

2017

Troll Falls Hike – more waterfalls

We've been to Troll Falls a few time in winter and summer. And we've hiked up behind the first set to see the falls behind. But yesterday with a bit of coaxing from a couple of guys that were repelling down the falls we kept going. Unbeknownst to us there were several sets - at least 10 depending on how you count - as you hike up.

You have to cross when you get to the first set. Come back down the river a little and find some logs to get across. You will find the steep path just back from the falls a bit. Was a bit tricking coming back down in the rain yesterday.

Once you get to the second set - you can't quite get to that one because of the amount of water coming down right now. But come back a little again and you can climb up another fairly steep path. Keep going along the trail. It is marked periodically with ribbons on trees. That is helpful. We had hiking sticks/poles. Not everyone will need but there were definitely useful coming down in the rain.

The last one is the narrow deep gorge - you can see that in the last picture and video. You can go past that to a bridge - not far from there. But half the bridge is out right now and because of the amount of water you are not going to find somewhere to cross unless you wanna get wet.

The trail keeps going but unless you have a desire to go several miles into the bush, come on back.

The volume of water right now makes everything perfect. It is not a long hike at all but you do get a bit of exercise with the climbing.