Mount Lawrence Grassi: In Photos

After an incredibly busy few months, I was itching to get my scrambling legs going. Mount Lawrence Grassi would be the mountain of choice.

After an incredibly busy few months filled with visitors, weddings and a move (more on the move in a later post…), I was itching to get my scrambling legs going. I mean, how could I make it to mid-August without completing any challenging summer hikes?

It’s blasphemous!

I know.

I wanted to do something in the Canmore area, and having never attempted Mount Lawrence Grassi, I decided it would be the mountain of choice. I’m not going to lie, it was rough on the system. My legs didn’t cooperate the way I would have liked. And I scraped up my leg pretty good due to an out-of-place rock ;), but the views were fantastic as expected. That said, while conquering new mountains is always a fun objective, I probably should have just hiked Ha Ling for the equally impressive views.

To reach the Mount Lawrence Grassi trailhead, park at the Goat Creek parking area where you would for Ha Ling Peak. Walk toward to the Ha Ling peak trail, but pass it and continue along the water for 20-30 minutes until you see a cairn on the left. It’s super easy to spot.

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The Banff Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff is gorgeous
The Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff is gorgeous

My bum… is numb.

That was my second thought once Robbie and I completed the 21.8 km Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff. I haven’t been on my bike enough lately to comfortably endure that distance.

My first thought was: We did it!

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Middle Sister. Never Again.

The Three Sisters, Canmore
The Three Sisters, Canmore

Oh Middle Sister.

What wondrous views from your summit. Atop your vantage point, I feel like I can conquer anything. But alas, I will never hike you again.

Just outside of Canmore, there’s a trio of mountains known as the Three Sisters. Iconic and symbolic, they’re hard to ignore. Of the three, Middle Sister is the easiest scramble, and I’ve wanted to hike to the peak since 2010. Since Dan was in town, I knew we needed to hike something intense. Paul was free as well, and when the three of us get together, there’s all kinds of ridiculous. One of Alberta’s famous snow storms in August decided to pass through the day before, which thwarted our original hiking plans. After humming and hah-ing, we decided on Middle Sister.

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Another Run at Rundle

Dan approaches the summit
Dan approaches the summit

The East End of Rundle is becoming a go-to favourite for me! With a round trip time of about 4 hours, this hike offers a forested and rocky ascent with gorgeous views of Ha Ling and the surrounding Spray Valley. A short, yet super fun scramble with a bit of exposure greets you before the summit. My friend Dan, who was visiting for another mountain adventure, was up for epic hikes, and I knew EEOR would be a great after work accomplishment.

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Mount Sparrowhawk… a 3rd Time!

Such pretty green among a sea of rocks
Such pretty green among a sea of rocks

I am a glutton for punishment. Why would I hike Mount Sparrowhawk for a third time??

Well, Sparrowhawk probably has the best summit views that I have ever seen in the Canadian Rockies, so even though the hike is quite epic, long and exhausting, it’s worth it. At 3121 metres (10,240 ft), it’s the highest peak in the area. The third time around, I was hopeful I would beat my time of 8.5 hours, but alas, we did not.

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