Alberta

Mt Hector's main route requires a ski mountaineering ascent. It moves through a lot of complex avalanche terrain, across glaciers, and through many terrain traps. Most people will do this route in spring, aiming to be off the mountain before noon.  This route should be attempted only by very fit ...

Ptarmigan Cirque is a great beginner hike in Highwood Pass. Take Hwy. 40 approximately 50 km's from Hwy. 1. You will find the trail head at the Highwood Pass Day Use Area. This interpretive trail heads north along the road for about 100 meters and then crosses the highway. The trail is easy to na...

This site is easily accessible on pavement most of the way and well maintained oil field roads for the last few kilometers and cell service is great! Google will provide 2 routes to approach these rocks from the north or the south.  It is possible to make a large loop, or stage a vehicle part of ...

Lake Louise has risen to the ranks of a legendary ski resort for more than just its views alone. The massive vertical drop and expert-focused back side make it a mountain to test your mettle. On the front side of the mountain are wide, flowing groomers and sneaky little powder patches in between ...

The Grand Sentinel has two routs on it. While it is hard to access it is a modern classic with bolted anchors, and Cardia Arete is a Sport climbing route. While I could offer my take on this classic,  Chris Perry' Banff Rock is a far better resource than I. To access the climb park at Moraine Lak...

The trailhead to Rummel Lake/Pass is off of Kananaskis Trail (Smith Dorrien Trail) directly across from the turn to Mt. Shark at the south end of Spray Lakes - it will likely be marked by cars attempting the same trail. The trail is well packed and snowshoes aren't even necessary until after Rumm...

I first heard about Carnarvon Lake (mistakenly called Carnivore Lake) in 2015 at my sister's wedding in Rhode Island - which is actually the last place I figured I'd get a recommendation. I spent a good amount of time trying to find any mention of Carnivore Lake on the internet, and asked anyone ...

Turtle Mountain will make any hiker work for the reward at the end of the trail. While it offers panoramic views of the valleys and mountains surrounding it, as well as a aerial "looking down upon" view of the famous Frank Slide - the hike even takes you to the top of the mountain above the slide...

This is a fairly steep, short hike that gives you a great view of Lake Louise. The hike begins right behind the canoe rental shop on the South side of the lake. The trail is very easy to follow and there are quite a few people that hike it. The hike is an hour and half round trip.  The hike leads...

Park at the viewpoint for the Crowfoot Glacier, roughly 32 kilometers after turning off Highway 1. It does sometimes get busy so you might end up parking on the side of the road. From the parking lot head southwest, there is almost always a skin track here. No skin track? Freshies! YAY! After a s...

This is a great day hike with ever changing terrain. Details to find the trailhead can be found at the following link. http://www.grandecache.ca/p/local-mapsThe trail starts at a trail riding staging area and briefly follows a canal, before crossing a safe, but partially submerged bridge.  Shortl...

Established in 2012 by Eric Dumerac, Sid Cupido and Chad Casey.  This 13-pitch, 300m route of relatively easy climbing provides some decent exposure on a dolomite tower attached to Mount Andromache, Banff National Park. 2 hr approach, expect 8-10 hour day.  Approach - Park in the pull out on the ...

For those that aren’t skiers – or maybe for skiers who just want to stretch some different muscles – Elevation Place is a fantastic climbing gym in Canmore. It’s brand new and has tons of top roping, bouldering, and even seven auto-belays with climbs rating from 5.8 to 5.11d at the time we were t...

Lady Macdonalds South East ridge is a route that has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to it's proximity to Canmore, intro level alpine climbing, and wonderful views. The Rockies Central Guidebook has the best images and descriptions of this specific climb This route starts in Cougar Cre...

Junction creek is a tributary that flows into the larger Sheep River near Eden, Alberta with many cool and uncrowded waterfalls.  Once you start at the trailhead there is a river crossing of the Sheep River. This can deter a lot of people as the water can be fast and quite cold. When we went it w...

35 minutes east of Edmonton (or one hour from the Edmonton International airport) is Elk Island National Park, a diverse northern prairie ecosystem with grassland, aspen and boreal forest that is home to a variety of mammals and over 250 bird species. The Amisk Wuche (Cree for “Beaver Hills”) Tra...