This week was the beginning of the hiking season for me. I participate in a hiking club called the Meanderthals who venture out every Wednesday. In addition to the exercise, it’s a good opportunity for me to get some photographs while meandering along the trails. Yesterday, I joined a group of nine for a 13.9 km (8 mile) hike along the Highline Trail, right here in Canmore. Early in the season, many of the trails at higher elevations remain snowbound and impassable, so we stay pretty close to home at this time of the year. You can see from the following map of our route that we stayed pretty much within the confines of Canmore. We began at the Worldmark Resort on the right (near Wilson Way), then ascended the lower slopes of Mount Lawrence Grassi before turning west along the Highline Trail. We paralleled Ha Ling Peak (shown as Chinaman’s Peak on the map) until we reached the stunning Grassi Lakes. From there we descended and worked our way around to the Power Line Trail for the return to our starting point, conveniently close to home for me (Walker on the map).
Today’s post includes a variety of pictures taken in the course of the hike. I begin with this first one, shot early in the day, showing the trail as it winds through the forest on our way up to the Highline Trail. The trail system is open to both hikers and cyclists, so in addition to natural hazards (eg. bears) we have to be mindful of bicycles.
Once we reached the Highline Trail, we were treated to panoramic views of the Bow Valley and the Town of Canmore at occasional breaks in the trees. The trail is about 750 ft (230 meters) above the valley floor, a different perspective from down below.
There is much to see along the trail itself, from rugged terrain to beautiful wildflowers and some wildlife. The next two pictures feature creek beds we crossed, channels bringing water down from the mountain peaks above. The first one is still dry, the second is carrying water from the spring runoff.
We saw lots of spring wildflowers along the way. I stopped to take a picture of these pink fairy slippers (a member of the orchid family). I’m always amazed to see delicate flowers in such a rugged, seemingly inhospitable environment.
Further along, we encountered a pair of Blue Grouse, engaged in a mating ritual. The male, pictured here was displaying his feathered finery to a demure and proper female who had, to this point resisted his advances. We chose to move along discreetly before the culmination of the process. I was able to see the female but unable to get a clear shot of her through the brush where she was seeking sanctuary.
We soon arrived at Grassi Lakes, a favourite and very scenic picnic site for local residents. I’ve included the shots from our stop there as a brief slideshow, with pictures of the lake itself, Grassi Falls and some climbing activity on the flanks of the East End of Rundle, the adjacent mountain range. You can advance the slideshow by clicking on the right side of the photos and reverse direction by clicking on the left.
It was beautiful day, spent with fine company. I enjoy the exercise and I’m never disappointed with the things I see and learn along the way. Looking forward to the next one.