canadian rockies

After what looked like a promising start to the Alberta ski season in late October, summer tried to re-assert itself and for the last month, adventures in the foothills have looked mostly like this: Along the divide further west, a slow accumulation of snow made for a perfect day of early...

Southwest of Calgary, the Sheep River road is closed to vehicles from December 1 to May 15 along the 20 km that runs westward to the foot of the front ranges, to protect the bighorn sheep that use this important wintering ground. It's open to bikes though, and typically there is about a 2 week...

Better late than never, I guess. This dates back to mid July, and the culmination of a week long camping, biking and hiking trip in the east Kootenays of BC and then in Waterton on the Alberta side of the divide. On the morning of July 14, we met up with some of the usual suspects at the Akamina...

We spent last week on a truck camping loop starting in the Columbia valley in British Columbia, then returning home to Alberta via the Crowsnest Pass with a detour to Waterton NP for a couple of days. Along with biking pathways and rail trails, we did a couple of outstanding ridge hikes- this is...

The Bull Creek Hills, southwest of Calgary where ranch lands along the Highwood River meet the mountains. Limber pine, wind-raked ridge lines, and grassy meadows where cattle graze in summertime. After setting up a car shuttle, as this was a one way traverse, our group of friends ascended a...

We're into the final weeks of our ski season here- not that the alpine snow along the spine of the Canadian Rockies is going anywhere fast, but with warm weather at home and often variable spring snow conditions- it's time to start thinking about other activities. In fact- had things gone...

Here's my first trip report since rejoining. It's not a huge trip and I did get caught with some early season snow packs that put a hard damper in the slog going forward. I left Calgary at 4:45am an got on the highway for the 3hr drive to the trailhead on the east edge of Waterton National...

In mid March we helicoptered into the Campbell Icefield Chalet in the backcountry NE of Golden BC, for our third week of looking after lodge operations this winter. While there are some routine chores, and maintenance responsibilities- we were also there to ski. We had a great week of that in...

With above average snowfall coupled with temperatures colder than the norm- it has felt like a long winter here in Alberta. For us skiers, this is of course good news, and we have been taking advantage. Lately however, I have been pining for the warm desert sun that we savoured last October, but...

In late August, my wife and I headed to the Banff region for 8 days to hike and backpack through the region's ample parks. This included a couple days exploring Glacier National Park of Canada, a 4-day trek in the Pipestone Highline region, and a couple days being tourists. I'll leave out most...

This is a very long post and very photo heavy. I condensed a bit from my blog if you want to see more photos. A mix of dayhikes and car camping and backpacking 6/13 - 6/20/17 (3 nights camping) Dayhikes: Lake Minnewanka, Tunnel Mountain, Lake Agnes Teahouse (Lake Louise), Bow Glacier Falls...

My trip in Yoho National Park was nearly the shortest that i did last summer, but one of the most rewarding. A lot of scenery in a small space. I only spent one night there, and walked probably right about 20 miles. First here's a handful of shots from the Icefield Parkway, as i traveled...

This was a short trip that did not go quite as i would have liked. I started it after exiting the Skyline Trail, and stopping by the town of Jasper. I had two nights to see Tonquin Valley, with Amethyst Lake, and the Ramparts above. How ever, it rained all of the middle day that i intended to...

I hiked the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park in early August last summer. As trails go, it's a scenic highlight of the area, with most of it's miles above tree line. A little more than 35 miles, i did it with three nights, with the first and last being as close to the trail heads as...

Vacation this year took us up to Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada. I had planned on going in September after the crowds had died down a little, but because of work responsibilities, we had to go in August. The plan was essentially to make the 14+ hour drive from Salt Lake, and then hike...

Wilcox Pass Altitude: 2375 m (7792 ft) Location: 52:14:48-117:13:18 52.2467-117.2217 11U 484864 5788501 NAD27: 11U 484863 5788283 (16 km N of Castleguard meadows). (1 km E of Wilcox Peak). Prominence (depth) is 509m below Wilcox Peak Description: Wilcox Pass is a high open pass east of the...