Wind Ridge is a moderately challenging half-day hike just a few minutes east of Canmore in the Bow Valley. There's minimal noise from the TransCanada highway, a good variety of wildflowers and some fantastic views from the ridgeline - including the less familiar "back side" of the Three Sisters. Return distance = 13.6 km (8.5 miles) with total elevation gain of 945 meters (3100 ft). There is one short rock band to navigate.
This short and relatively easy walk near Canmore is a family favourite any time of year. Waterfalls, ice formations, wildflowers, mountain bikers and an old concrete dam add multiple points of interest.
Generally speaking, we're fair-weather hikers. But when Environment Canada's forecast shows nothing but rain, chance of showers and/or risk of thunderstorms for the next seven days, we become a lot more receptive to the idea of a half-day hike where we might encounter some precipitation on the way back down. All of which is a …
We had an almost six-week break from hiking this summer as Mr. GeoK recovered from a mountain biking accident. By Labour Day weekend, his leg had healed to the point that he was ready for a short hike. We opted to try another classic Canmore area hike - to the abandoned, slowly decaying, only ever …
Continue reading Hiking the Bow Valley – Mount Lady MacDonald Tea House
NOTE: The Ha Ling Trail was upgraded in 2018/19. For a current trail description, check this post from 2020. We've been monitoring Twitter and the Alberta Parks and National Parks websites as areas damaged by the extensive June 2013 floods slowly re-open. The Smith-Dorrien (Highway 742) re-opened Friday (July 12) although it's not yet clear …