Hiking, biking and other adventures (mostly) in the Canadian Rockies
September is one of our favourite months to get out and about in Alberta. We absorbed doses of Vitamin N(ature) at a concert in the park, on hiking and biking trails and on our usual active transportation walks to pick up groceries, stop at the library, etc.
Despite the mist, rain, sleet and snow pellets, it was definitely worth hiking at Lake O'Hara during golden larch season and we hope to do it again (in better weather) some time over the next few years. On the advice of Parks Canada staff, we covered about 9 km, hiking up the Lake Oesa trail, across the Yukness Ledges and then - after a bit of time exploring the Opabin Plateau - down East Opabin trail.
An enjoyable half-day outing, we were astounded at how many period-costumed people were on site. Layer-on the fact that most of the Fortress of Louisbourg has been reconstructed and, fo rus, it became a bit Disney-esque.
Middle Head is a pretty easy out and back trail, mostly through the woods, with a couple of peek-a-boo views and a nice viewpoint at the end. It's family friendly, located close to tourist accommodation and Parks Canada offers guided hikes on this trail. All of which means it's fairly busy. Of the three hikes we did in Cape Breton, this was our least favourite.
White Point has a small network of social trails, boot-beaten through the heather. It's fairly flat, with gently rolling terrain. A short and winding drive off the Cabot Trail, it's a good choice for those who like to hike alone.
