To The Mountains I Go: January 2015

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Troll Falls (Winter)

Short Hike
Distance: 3.2km (there and back)
Elevation: 100m
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Very Easy

Access:
Travel as if you are going to Nakiska Ski Hill or Ribbon Creek but before you pass any of those turn offs you take a right following the "Stoney Trailhead" sign. The parking is right there and the trail head is pass the gate and to the left.

Experience:

This hike is so easy and nice for groups. We had lots of fun talking and walking. It felt like we got to the falls in no time. There wasn't much interesting things that happened on the way to the falls but that is okay.

It took us about 20 min to get to the falls and then we where trying to get pictures right up against the falls but it was a bit of a challenge because it was quite icy. We spent a few minutes here. In the winter I found that I would rather finish the hike to get out of the cold than to eat a snack out at our destination so we got all the pictures we wanted and headed back. This hike is a fairly popular hike and in the summer you can go up and above the falls and take an unofficial trail to other falls.

This hike is wonderful if you are just looking to get outside and get up close and personal with a frozen waterfall. I defiantly want to go back in the summer to see the falls while they are in action.

The parking lot

Jacob is leading the way!

Someone was being funny!

Jacob was trying to hide from us but he doesn't hide very well.

Almost there!

Jacob caught this tree as it was falling! Just kidding

The Troll Falls

I tried to get in right behind the fall but it is very slippery

Jacob got stuck in a hole!

The Group for the day!

Jacob just lounging by the falls

Jacob being the troll of Troll Falls

The scenery

Jacob thought I was awesome in this photo because it looks like I am summoning a ball of light.

Some view

Some more views

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Grassi Lakes (Winter Time)

Half Day Hike
Distance: 3.8km (there and back)
Elevation Gain: 200m
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy

Access:
Get into Canmore and follow the signs to the Canmore Nordic Center, but drive pass the turn off to the Nordic Center and the next left has a sign pointing to the Grassi Lakes Parking Lot.

Experience:
So I woke up in the morning with a strong desire to get out into the woods. I wanted to do a hike before the weather started to get really cold. The trouble was that I have no experience with hiking out in the snow. I sat and researched a bit and I found that Grassi Lakes was going to be a safe bet.

I wasn't expecting much from the hike. I was guessing that the lakes would have been frozen over and it would be a very boring scene, but I was definitely surprised. We got to the parking lot just fine and there is bathrooms there which is always nice. So my Dad and I started our adventure up to the lakes. If you do this hike you will reach a point where a sign says easy or difficult. We went the easy way! I did not want to put in a lot of effort especially right after the Christmas season.

We went on our way talking and seeing very chubby squirrels. It was very pleasant and easy, and all of a sudden we were at the lakes! We didn't really see them at first but as we got closer we saw its beauty. The lakes were a bit iced over but we could still see the lovely greens, turquoises, and browns in the water. There was no wind either so the water was completely still so there was perfect reflections in the water. A nice thing about doing this hike in the winter is that it isn't so busy. Usually Grassi Lakes is very popular but this time of year there isn't that many people to ruin the peaceful quiet sanctuary. We took our time and took nice photos. There is also a waterfall in the area but we were unable to see it because the rocks were very slippery, so we decided to be safe and just come back in the summer, hopefully with more family members as well.

All and all it was well worth it!