Iceline

Round trip: 6.4 km (4 mi)

Elevation gain: 690 m (2200 ft.)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: easy to moderate

Description:

Takakkaw Falls 

This is my all-time favorite hike. Once again you’re not summiting a mountain, but on this one you are able to touch a glacier if you want… no big deal.

During the ascent of this hike, your will be accompanied by the spectacular Takakkaw Falls. The distant rumble of the falls will be a constant reminder of just how badly you wished you visited those port-a-potties before you started.  The trail starts as an arduous climb through a series of switchbacks, but eventually you break out above the tree line for spectacular views.

And if you’re a wildflower lover, there’s plenty on this hike. So many, that the trail may be blocked at a few points by hikers going just a bit over board on a floral photo shoot.

Some of the flora for your photo shoot 

But the best part of the hike is the glacier, Emerald Glacier. And depending on the time of year in which you choose to hike this trail, it will always be changing. You will never hike this trail and see the same thing twice. The glacier is constantly changing the environment. On your first trip up to Iceline, there may be a trickling waterfall and an endless number of streams rushing down the hill side, but on your next trip this may all disappear and give way to giant boulders and rocks that have been tossed around and bullied by the glacier, helplessly carved in the strangest of ways from the moving and shifting ice.

Emerald Glacier 

I have been on many hikes in the Rockies, but there have been none quite like this. Sure you don’t feel that “macho man” accomplishment of summiting a mountain, but the sites and views you get to see are top notch.

Directions:

Found in Yoho national park; travel along Trans-Canada Hwy and exit onto Yoho Valley Road. Follow the winding Yoho Valley Road until you reach the Whiskey Jack Hostel, where the trailhead for Iceline is located. Enjoy!

Three Sisters Pass

Round trip: 6 km (3.7 mi)
Elevation gain: 600 m (1900 ft.)
Hiking time: 2 ½-3 ½ hours
Difficulty: moderate

Description:

Sure it’s no peak. You’re not going to summit a mountain, but here, you will feel like you are on top of the world.

The majority of this hike is spent finding your way along a creek bed with a few well placed stone cairns to guide you.  As such, the best time to set out on this hike is late spring or early summer; the snow drifts are melting and a slight trickle makes it way down the mountain, giving you guidance and a picturesque hiking trail.

A great look at backcountry 

As you are climbing up the trail, you will be forging through pure backcountry.  Eventually you will enter a forested area then as you emerge you will notice the tallest Sister towering over you to your right, or north by the compass setting. The view at the top of the pass gives you a great look at the town of Canmore and to the South West you can climb a ridge to another mountain called the Ship’s Prow.  But the best view of all is the up-close and personal look you get of all Three Sisters (commonly refered to as Big, Middle and Little, receiving their name from early visitors who thought they looked like three nuns/sisters in their habits). You will feel like you can touch them!

View of the Three Sisters at the top of the pass

Directions:

From downtown Canmore, head towards the Canmore Nordic Center. From there, follow Spray Trail (Hwy 742), watch out for Big Horn sheep who like to lick salt from the roadside. Continue ascending the road, into Kananaskis backcountry. You will eventually pass a lake on your right and find the trailhead on your left, directly across from a small turnout on the gravel road.

Customizing Your Hiking Experience

My favorite thing to do out in the Rockies is hike; and the way to get the best out of your hiking experience is figure out what you want first.

Here are a few things you should consider before you go out on your Rocky Mountain hiking adventure:

• How much time you have
• How much time you have
• How strenuous of a trail you want
• What kind of view you want to see
• The weather
• Hiking equipment

How much time do you have?

Hiking is great because it can fit into everyone’s schedule. Hikes can range from simply trekking for a mile, to an all day event where you walk along the ridge of an entire pass and return, or even camp out and continue the next day. So decide first how long you want to be out. Remember, if you are a flatlander or ocean lover the change in altitude can limit your ability to endure a trek. Start off slow! All hiking descriptions you’ll find (whether it be from a book, the internet, information center, or the local newspaper) will have the distance, elevation, and estimated time of completion for the hike at hand. And the great thing about hiking is, if you begin to second guess how long you want to be out, you can always make a shorter loop or expand you hike by exploring new territory.

(Photo courtesy of: http://godsgreenearthhikers.wordpress.com)

How strenuous of a hike do you want?

Hiking is for everyone! People of all shapes and sizes can dawn a pair of hiking boots and trek through the great outdoors; it’s a family activity and a great way to stay (or get) in shape. You can climb a mountain, or walk through a creek bed; it can be as easy or as difficult as you want it to be. Hiking descriptions will also include the difficulty of a hike, from light to very difficult. Sometimes the word “scramble” might be placed in there somewhere too, which usually means that the hike is just a bit tougher. Scrambles usually imply that you will get down on all fours at some point. Sometimes the trail is so steep you need to lower your center of gravity or the footholds are on loose shale (which can be pretty sketchy at times). Just make sure you know what you are getting into! The last thing you want to be doing is clinging to the rock face of a cliff and finding out that your fear of heights is kicking in.

What kind of view are you looking for?

(Photo courtesy of: http://www.geocaching.com) 

Do you want to peer down from the summit of a rocky giant on the valley below, see an emerald lake, Native American along ravine walls, or a spectacular waterfall? There is so much to see in the Rockies. Of course those hikes requiring you to summit a peak are somewhat more difficult, but the views can be breathtaking (both literally and metaphorically). This will probably be the hardest part of deciding which hike to do. You want to see everything! There are some hikes that are known for the wildlife you most commonly encounter on them, including uncommon flora and fauna. I know it’s hard, but try to narrow it down and figure out what you really really badly want to see. (But with out a doubt, in the Rockies you’ll never be left disappointed.)

Weather

Hiking is something that can be done in every season; rain or snow, sunshine or cloudy days, it doesn’t matter. As long as you are prepared, you can go out on any day you want. Just make sure you check out the weather forecast beforehand and be prepared. Bring an extra layer or two and a waterproof jacket. And in the winter, don’t forget to bring those snowshoes or yak tracks. However, be aware that changes in the temperature/weather can change the environment around you. Slopes can becomes slippery with mud and certain dangers can become invisible under snowdrifts.

Hiking Equipment

I will recommend to everyone out there hoping to go out on their own Rocky Mountain adventure to find a great (not just good) pair of hiking boots or trail shoes. There is nothing worse than untying your shoes at an end of a hike and finding twenty new, swollen, painful blisters on each of your feet. Always bring an easy to carry bag (preferably a comfortable backpack) with a first aid kit, water (lots of water), any other clothing you might need, and a snack or two (or even lunch) if you will be out for a while. And you should always bring bear-spray with you. That cute and cuddly teddy bear lying in your bed is completely harmless, but those big, wooly beasts in the outdoors are unpredictable and fast. Don’t underestimate their capabilities! Just know that when you go out on a hike you are trekking through the homes of all different kinds of wildlife. Be respectful, just as a guest would be in your own home; take only pictures, leave only footprints. Oh, and don’t forget a camera! You’ll want to capture the experience.

(Photo courtesy of: http://thecostaricanews.com)

The Rocky Mountains are an amazing place to go explore and experience life in the outdoors. Just remember, when you go out on your very own Rocky Mountain hiking adventure be safe, but above all have fun! Take it all in!