tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81374872951082810142012-01-27T05:44:31.631-07:00... or mostly just the Western Canadian Rockies ...Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.comBlogger1651100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-10734846717212063202012-01-01T20:14:00.000-07:002012-01-01T20:14:52.817-07:00

It was almost two years ago, but what we saw still applies today. This isn't a terribly popular trail, likely because almost every time we've set out, there hasn't been enough snow. We've learned to stick with the north side of the trail that leaves from the NW side of the village parking lot, and only attempt the south half of the loop when there's plenty of snow cover to be found.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-16150997621123852092011-12-22T09:57:00.000-07:002011-12-22T09:57:13.194-07:00

Every year I forget how late the snow comes to the mountains. Fall hiking is probably my favorite time of year. Once the snow hits, I'm barely able to wait until there's enough for snowshoeing, but it's always nice to sneak a late fall hike in a familiar spot and see the brown and yellow fall colouring for the last time that year...

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-14479072948354589832011-12-01T21:23:00.001-07:002011-12-01T21:26:18.528-07:00

While HipHiker the geek has been sucked into the Twitter vortex for some time, HipHiker the blogger hasn't really committed to it... until now. Find and follow us at @HipHiker. I think it could be a lot of fun....

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-45656443924001825302011-11-23T20:36:00.001-07:002011-11-23T21:39:08.278-07:00

Hello old friends. It's been a while since I've last updated this site. Real life took over for a while. Family health issues led to a decline in available time, and blogging was something that had to be put on hold. That temporary hold led to a much longer one as my own medical issue developed, but that was a much nicer situation. Our twin boys were born in March of 2011. ;-) So for now the

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-87610362834305255222010-04-21T08:39:00.000-06:002010-04-21T08:39:00.236-06:00

Grassi Lakes in fall. One last hike before the snow took hold in the Rockies.Nature photographers will tell you the best days for shooting photos are the overcast days. The gray tones will bring out the colours of your natural subjects so much more. The pools at Grassi Lakes show how true this tip really is:Looking back toward the town of Canmore, with the clouds hanging low over the valley, yet

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-267912684352788852010-04-16T08:45:00.000-06:002010-04-16T08:45:00.317-06:00

Strangely enough, I'd only ever hiked the Chester Lake trail when it was fully engulfed in winter -- deep snow, lake frozen over, icicles dripping from trees. So when Dave suggested a fall hike, I jumped at the chance to see such a beautiful place without the usual white touches.My first real education was midway through the hike. A meadow type plateau on the hike that I'd always assumed was

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-36264957595907997772010-04-14T08:31:00.000-06:002010-04-14T08:31:00.715-06:00

Straying away from our usual haunts, Nat and I took a quick hike down Exshaw Trail, a relatively flat creek bed walk with lots of route finding. A pipeline was our guide for the first 1km or so. It's not always easy to remember that without the early development of some of our natural resources, a lot of the easy access to our favorite places might not exist:A reminder that winter was not far

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-58167229867040849362010-04-12T07:56:00.001-06:002010-04-12T07:56:00.069-06:00

There's been a lot of chatter both off and online about the Bragg Creek Trail System and the changes proposed by Alberta Tourism Parks and Recreation. The plan focuses on the area just west of Bragg Creek that is used primarily for cross-country skiing in winter. However the trails are also used by hikers, cyclists and equestrians throughout the summer, despite the fact there is no official

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-44674644612671194402010-04-07T08:32:00.001-06:002010-04-07T08:32:00.519-06:00

We'd driven to Fairmont Hot Spring in BC for an anniversary getaway. While the focus of the trip was not hiking, but more of the hot-tub soaking, mini-golf playing variety, on our drive back I wanted to stop and see an old trail I've visited as a child -- probably the first place I ever took hiking photos.An aside, Highway 93 between Lake Louise, AB and Radium, BC is some of the most beautiful

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-89687497516488127522010-03-22T08:25:00.001-06:002010-03-22T08:25:00.236-06:00

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre sits across the valley from the slide, nestled on the edge of the slide path. The Centre recently re-opened after a year's worth of renovations and the displays are much improved. History can often be a tough thing to keep engaging (especially for the younger kids), but they do an excellent job.The sights and sounds of the slide...Crowsnest Pass history is fully

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-3290514991372419632010-03-19T08:09:00.000-06:002010-03-19T08:09:00.115-06:00

On April 29, 1903, at 4:10 am 90 million tonnes of mountain rock crashed down on the small mining town on Frank, AB (then in the North West Territories). The slide narrowly missed the main street of town, but still destroyed miner's houses, camping areas and outbuildings for the mine itself. Over 70 people were killed.I've been driving through this southern Alberta area since I was child -- it's

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-39261722709850581872010-03-17T08:47:00.000-06:002010-03-17T08:47:00.485-06:00

There's something about Yamnuska that keeps you coming back. Even when you're driving down the highway for the hundredth time, the looming rock face at the entrance to the Rockies is riveting.. no matter how many times you've looked before.Yamnuska is always about the trail not taken to me. While we'd always known how little of Yamnuska we'd actually seen, on a late fall hike we saw how easy it

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-35822214843889783262010-03-15T07:11:00.000-06:002010-03-15T07:11:00.160-06:00

It was a long winter, even for the Rockies. Ice that usually broke up and melted in April was still lingering in some areas as late as mid-June. But one of the benefits of the late spring was the lush green growth that appeared almost out of nowhere. Where only the week before there were signs of nothing but slush and mud, spring quickly bursted through...

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-89440479623482568782010-03-12T07:05:00.000-07:002010-03-12T07:05:00.232-07:00

Less of a hike, more of a stroll, Stewart Canyon was a nice way to end the day. The Lake Minnewanka area can be so busy during the summer, so sneaking in there in the spring was an added bonus.There's not much to add on this particular trail. It's a stroll along the canyon, crossing over early on. But I'm always a sucker for another perspective of Mount Rundle (in the first shot).

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-89356386619642455292010-03-10T08:29:00.000-07:002010-03-10T08:29:00.441-07:00

We rarely get out to the Lake Minnewanka area in Banff National Park. I'm not sure why this is, but any chance to hike near a large (for us) body of water is a treat in southern Alberta. C-Level Cirque is near the historical site of the abandoned coal mining town of Bankhead (the trailhead is actually located right where the town's residents used to live), and the trail itself has its origins as

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-8532765315869539772010-02-10T08:09:00.000-07:002010-02-10T08:09:00.364-07:00

Just a few more kilometers down the road from the hoodoos.Atlas Coal Mine..... long defunct and now a museum. It was closed when we got there, but I couldn't resist a quick photo of that wooden tipple (being the coal mining geek that I am).

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-15602909657829805232010-02-08T08:37:00.001-07:002010-02-08T08:37:00.279-07:00

Just to the east of Drumheller are the Hoodoos, geological structures that look like pillars with "hats". These formations are common in badlands areas, and are built when harder sediment exists on top of softer material. Over time the softer material erodes away, but the "pillar" is protected by the "cap" of the harder sediment. Over time the hoodoos will also erode away.Smaller hoodoos, or "

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-79421640919085585442010-02-05T08:23:00.000-07:002010-02-05T08:23:00.736-07:00

Exiting the main building of the Tyrrell Museum does not mean the fun is over. The museum also offers an interpretive path/trail. The land is so stark and dry it's tough to imagine what's left to see, but the 30-45 minute walk is well worth the trip.(Though on a sunny day, come prepared -- there is no shade at all on the trail and the sun is unforgiving at the best of times).One of the highlights

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-78040039484254105152010-02-03T08:15:00.000-07:002010-02-03T08:15:00.671-07:00

A few kilometers outside of Drumheller, just when you think you're hitting the bald prairie again, this massive expanse of land opens up as far as the eye can see.Horsethief Canyon. It's known for its spectacular view as well as the bright yellow canola fields that surround the area (unfortunately we were too early in the season). Just before the highway turnoff to the viewpoint, the oil pumps

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-39695090044297362502010-02-01T08:33:00.000-07:002010-02-01T08:33:00.547-07:00

The Royal Tyrrell. If you're into dinosaurs, geology or natural history, this is the place to be. While this is technically not a "hike" or even outdoors, it's a must-see attraction in the area, and hey, it's educational! The museum was recently renovated and the exhibitions upgraded, and there is so much to take in it's sometimes tough to make sure you see everything. But first, let's meet the

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-92035887233351232082010-01-25T08:15:00.000-07:002010-01-25T08:15:00.107-07:00

It seems like we never get out to Drumheller enough. And we should, because it's a completely different world from what we're used to here in the foothills of the Rockies.Drumheller is just under 2 hours from Calgary, about 120 km east. It's best known for its dinosaur history -- an amazing amount of fossils have been recovered from the area, and one of the world's leading dinosaur musuems -- The

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-7852913919761665322010-01-22T08:16:00.000-07:002010-01-22T08:16:00.660-07:00

Spring is not necessarily the prettiest time of the year in the mountains. Everything that has been hibernating under the snow is not yet rejuvenated, the melting snow makes everything slushy, muddy, and generally wet, and pretty much everything is stuck at some shade of brown.But you don't care. You don't care because you're so happy to see those signs of spring, even a muddy creek is a thing of

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-56067358528446369982009-12-30T07:56:00.000-07:002009-12-30T07:56:00.832-07:00

I've written about the Canoe Meadows rec area before. A kayaking course looks much different as the first days of spring are rolling in:Sadly our hike along the Widowmaker trail was cut short. Even more sadly, the signs advising of the trail closure were already almost a year old.Maybe next spring the trail will be clear along the Widowmaker.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-32275553952364671682009-11-27T08:43:00.000-07:002009-11-27T08:43:00.131-07:00

Finding Farley is an amazing story from so many perspectives -- outdoors, history, literary, filmmaking, Canadiana, the list goes on. I was delighted to read the documentary took top prize at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.The documentary follows husband and wife Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison, their toddler and dog as they canoe, hike and sail from their home in Canmore, Alberta to the home

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-91063262757843088812009-11-25T07:28:00.000-07:002009-11-25T07:28:00.419-07:00

Not wanting limit our snowshoeing treks to only Highway 40, Dave and I decided to try a short but hopefully scenic route along the Lower Kananaskis Lake. This trail is also located in that deep snow haven, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.Trailhead. Oh yeah, we made the right call:The trailhead sign marker and map were almost overcome by snow... it's easy to see why this is such a favorite area for

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-48294778094824462572009-11-23T08:10:00.000-07:002009-11-23T08:10:00.183-07:00

Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a cross-country skier's destination in winter, but us snowshoers can sneak in a trail or two as well. It's less than courteous to snowshoe in the tracks laid down for the skiers, so a few trails have been set aside for us mere snowshoers.Sometimes even the closed and gated Highway 40 will do.Highway is closed 6 months out of the year. While most other highways in

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-54454763408930143572009-11-20T08:14:00.001-07:002009-11-20T08:14:00.192-07:00

Fenland Trail in February. Fenland is little more than a pleasant walk, but it's a great trail for when the winter has been dragging on too long and you hope for signs of warming weather.Spring was still a long way off, but the firm hold of winter was starting to loosen in small ways. The layers of the ice from months of varying temperatures were starting to show through...... the trail was worn

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-7917841820796323872009-11-18T08:23:00.000-07:002009-11-18T08:23:00.595-07:00

First time snowshoeing since our guided tour in Kimberley, BC a couple of weeks prior. Path finding is so much different in snow, especially for random snowshoe trails, but it was worth it:

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-31459417316699774142009-11-16T08:19:00.000-07:002009-11-16T08:19:00.039-07:00

Rawson Lake at the height of winter. Another one of those hikes I'd heard so much about, but never got around to doing thanks to the crowds in the summer, long drive, whatever other reasoning I could think of.This was where Nat and I had attempted a few weeks back as we hiked along Upper Kananaskis Lake and were turned back by treacherous ice on the trail. Hopefully in the thick of winter, there

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-48969315897122294412009-11-12T08:03:00.000-07:002009-11-12T08:03:00.503-07:00

Another beautiful hike to Sundance Canyon, this time deep in winter. Unbelievably, here in Banff the snow at the trail head wasn't deep enough to support cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but it was just enough for a pleasant winter hike.Closer to the canyon itself, these low bushes with the leaves still attached made for a contrast with the rest of the forest floor:The snow was a little

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-91884502071145283952009-11-09T07:58:00.000-07:002009-11-09T07:58:00.418-07:00

Sometimes the overcast days are more interesting than the blue sky days. This holds especially true in winter, when the clouds meld with the snow and anything with colour or light stands out that much more.Chester Lake, as I've mentioned before, is renowned for deep snow early in the season. In late November, when parts of the mountains were still waiting for the first real accumulation, Chester

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-24639498486563504902009-10-26T07:19:00.000-06:002009-10-26T09:13:38.026-06:00

Despite living in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies, I can honestly say there are very few days when the hiking conditions are dramatically cold. Even hiking in -20 C weather isn't a huge deal when you're bundled up and moving fast. Tracking through deep snow will burn a lot of calories and the next thing you know, you're peeling the layers off.The wind is another story, but the odds are pretty

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-73022670695675150342009-08-28T10:17:00.000-06:002009-08-28T10:17:00.355-06:00

Chester Lake is very popular among winter sports enthusiasts in no small part because its location deep in Kananaskis Country provides some of the best and deepest early snow, as well as snow far into spring. The area gets enough snow to rival some snow resorts!It's also extremely popular for families in the summer, and while Nat and I have hiked the area, we'd never completed the Chester Lake

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-54415077268841546472009-08-24T08:22:00.001-06:002009-08-24T08:22:00.224-06:00

I'll always be drawn to Yamnuska. It was the first true mountain I hiked, and nothing will ever match the first time I was able to touch that distinctive rockface. It greets me every time I drive down Highway 1 into the Rockies, and it stands as the instantly recognizable gateway to miles of jagged peaks. When I went to summer camp as a pre-teen, Yamnuska loomed over our teepee and was the source

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-67161373640661003542009-08-21T07:58:00.000-06:002009-08-21T07:58:00.118-06:00

Ford Knoll is an old favorite. I've covered it many times here before, but the scenery changes so much with each season. Fall was no different:Luckily, we knew this sign had been here since the previous winter... however there's got to be cause for concern when a warning sign appears to have been clawed away. And yes, we kept an eye out for "ears" the rest of the hike:

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-45256622258596701522009-07-13T06:40:00.001-06:002009-07-13T06:40:00.695-06:00

Trail Directions: From Banff city centre, take Banff Avenue south across the bridge and turn right onto Cave Avenue. Park in the Cave and Basin lot. Trail head is near the back of the Cave and Basin building, along the paved path from the parking lot.Nat and I don't hike around the Banff townsite area very often. There's no real reason for this, maybe convenience, maybe that the truly challenging

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-15191690551436613472009-07-06T08:18:00.001-06:002009-07-06T23:08:02.617-06:00

Our last full day in Idaho and we had planned to revisit the legendary Pioneer Cabin hike. But this late in the season, the sheep were migrating back toward the valley and were currently grazing on a section of the trail we'd be traversing. Herds of sheep don't bother me, but they were accompanied by some very loyal sheep dogs that weren't big fans of strangers and had recently been harassing

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-56606579573716165132009-06-22T08:53:00.000-06:002009-06-22T08:53:02.094-06:00

I haven't really mentioned many hiking books here, but I've been reading so much outdoors material lately it seems like a crime not to. I alternate between regional, worldwide, current and historical in my reading, so I'm somewhat all over the map... literally and figuratively. While mountain climbing is not something I've done, early exploration of the Canadian Rockies is a big favorite topic

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-55007883048261089592009-05-19T08:22:00.000-06:002009-05-19T08:22:01.082-06:00

This isn't so much about a hiking trail as it is about a woefully unknown area in central Idaho near a small town called Stanley. Stanley isn't even a town in the traditional sense -- it's more of a village, a crossroads, but a delightful one.Though we'd been through Stanley many times (it's about an hour North of Ketchum/Sun Valley), we'd never actually *been* there. We'd never stopped, turned

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-63040801733133917462009-05-10T08:40:00.000-06:002009-05-10T08:40:00.998-06:00

When the Hip Hiker household decides to seek out peace and quiet away from home, the road usually takes us to a little town in Idaho called Ketchum.... also known the as town right next to Sun Valley. It's a winter playground for most, but Dave and I have only ever been there in the summer. It's our favorite summer getaway.And the hiking is amazing.For years we've been wanting to tackle Bald

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-21223090572488437522009-04-20T08:09:00.000-06:002009-04-20T08:09:01.564-06:00

After the muscle strain that was Centennial Ridge, there was no way I was going on anything more than a gentle stroll this weekend. However, I did find myself drawn back to the same area.I've mentioned before that I'm a bit of a coal mining history geek. I've had my eye on a trail in the Kananaskis area that leads to a reclaimed mining site, and it just happened to be a turn-off from the same

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-80745384271678250772009-03-30T08:22:00.001-06:002009-03-30T08:22:02.705-06:00

Centennial Ridge: South approach. Take Highway 40 south to Ribbon Day Use Parking Area. Begin at the Hidden Trail trailhead. Turn left onto Centennial Ridge Trail about 0.2 km in.I still can't think about this hike without getting chills. Maybe it was the strange weather conditions where we literally saw four seasons in one day. Maybe it was the fact it took us over 5 hours to go 4.5 km. Perhaps

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-22925819995525730252009-02-11T08:04:00.001-07:002009-02-11T08:04:00.575-07:00

Rock Glacier is not as hike as much as it is a chance to see some wildlife not normally spotted on your typical hike. Near the Highwood Pass area, the conditions and altitude around the Rock Glacier mean wildlife sees about 3 months of warm conditions, and spends those 3 months preparing for the other 9 months of winter.The Rock Glacier is exactly what it sounds like -- a slow moving pile of

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-63217456505746934672009-02-08T08:14:00.001-07:002009-02-08T08:14:02.036-07:00

Ptarmigan Cirque - Highwood Pass: Take Highway 40 south past the Kananaskis Lake turnoff to the Highwood Pass day use area. Trail head is the same as interpretive trail. Highwood 40 is closed at the Kananaskis Lakes junction from Dec 1 to June 15.Ptarmigan Cirque is an amazing hike for so many reasons. On paper it doesn't look like much -- it's short (4.5 km total), the incline isn't much (225m),

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-63366550208132382722009-02-01T13:24:00.003-07:002009-02-01T13:37:09.894-07:00

I've been off on a winter adventure the past week -- hubby and I, plus Nat and her hubby all traveled to Kimberley, BC for snowshoeing, skiing and general German food goodness. It was a nice chance to spend some time elsewhere, enjoy the outdoors, and see some of the beautiful countryside of the East Kootenays of British Columbia. I'm very partial to the Crowsnest Pass area, but this time we

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-59330236361247546062009-01-17T13:15:00.002-07:002009-01-17T13:21:44.477-07:00

While it seems to be cold all over the continent, here in Alberta we're sitting at a balmy 11 C/ 52 F today! (Going up to 13C/55F tomorrow). Even the mountains are enjoying above-freezing temps and I'm sure I'm not the only one planning an outdoor excursion this weekend.However, while I know we're getting no sympathy from other parts of North America, there are plenty of dangers associated with

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-23571638734277036162009-01-11T14:36:00.007-07:002009-01-11T15:48:33.542-07:00

There are some amazing posts from some great blogs I would like to share with the world in general, so I thought I'd throw a little Sunday link love up today:Session Magazine has a piece on the Mt. Huashan Hiking Trail in China. The photos alone are not for the weak at heart -- I can't imagine actually hiking this trail. Make sure to scroll all the way to the end... the stairs carved into the

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-90674569760741477622009-01-06T07:45:00.000-07:002009-01-06T07:45:00.393-07:00

Barrier Lake Lookout - Kananaskis: Take Highway 40 to Barrier Dam Day Use Area. Park in lot, and hike across dam to Stoney Trail/Prairie View Trail Junction. Take Prairie View trail.I've long said Barrier Lake is one of my favorite places in the world, but amazingly, I'd never hiked much in the area. With all the amazing lookout hikes Nat and I had tried in the previous few weeks, this short hike

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-46723824667449791842009-01-04T07:34:00.000-07:002009-01-04T07:34:00.771-07:00

I mentioned before the summer of 2008 was the "Summer of Peaks". Moose Mountain was another notch in that belt. Nat and I had attempted it before, but waited a little too late in the season and opted to stop just short of the active fire lookout on top. This time there was no chance of snow stopping us.Thunderstorms on the other hand are a real risk in the summer. Moose Mountain seems to be a bit

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-77561336076904081632008-12-24T17:11:00.003-07:002008-12-24T17:18:16.177-07:00

It's been bitterly cold in my part of the world -- probably much like many others (except those lucky people in New Zealand ;-)), and getting out to the mountains has been next to impossible.Our deep frost broke today, and we're actually going to be hovering above freezing on the weekend, so there's a chance for one last hike of 2008!It was the end of 2006 that Dave and I hiked an impromptu loop

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-68987233259024291472008-12-22T08:11:00.000-07:002008-12-22T08:11:00.738-07:00

Sulphur Mountain -- Banff. Trail details: Take Banff Ave through town to Mountain Ave. Park in the Hot Springs parking lot, trailhead is NW part of parking lot.If you've been to Banff, Alberta -- heck, if you've seen a photo of Banff, Alberta -- you've probably seen a photo of Sulphur Mountain. While not as photogenic as my personal favorite, Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain is where all the action

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-36009460481340363752008-12-16T08:39:00.001-07:002008-12-16T08:39:01.982-07:00

Nihahi Ridge has been mentioned quite a few times on this blog, but it's simply one of best hikes in the area -- especially if you have a group of people with mixed hiking ability. It's generally a moderate climb that will get you to some pretty amazing views. The hike is reasonably close to the city, sits at the edge of the Rockies, and gets you to places no road can take you. The last kilometer

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-45262750706923849222008-12-14T14:31:00.003-07:002008-12-14T14:34:47.211-07:00

After the Hummingbird Plume Lookout hike, Nat and I decided to take advantage of the maze of trails to take a different way back to the car. We passed close to Troll Falls, the short hike Dave and I had checked the week prior, and we stopped by for a look. A lot less bugs, a few more people, and some more nice photos...

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-79924132216829077492008-12-11T08:48:00.001-07:002008-12-11T08:48:00.931-07:00

Hummingbird-Plume Fire Lookout. Trail details: Take Highway 40 south to the Kananaskis Lodge/Nakiska turnoff. Drive straight toward the Nakiska Ski Lodge and park at the gates. Trail is behind the lodge, heading north. Take Skogan Pass Trail to Hummingbird Plume Lookout.So, it took Nat and I some time to clue into the best way to find good solid trails with amazing vantage points, but once we

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-26430994220840374362008-12-01T07:59:00.000-07:002008-12-01T07:59:00.890-07:00

Our last stop along Highway 40 on this day was at Highwood Pass -- the highest paved road pass in Canada (2227 m/7310 ft). Anything living up here exists under very harsh conditions where there is snow on the ground up to 9 months of the year, and temperatures hover around freezing for a good percentage of that 9 months.Even in late June, with a few weeks of sunny conditions, there were still

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-25907609519671703502008-11-26T09:23:00.000-07:002008-11-26T09:23:01.011-07:00

Peter Lougheed - Kananaskis Canyon Trail. Directions: Take Highway 40 to Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Turn right into Canyon Campground. Look for Loop C and a small turnout for parking. Trailhead is across the road.Kananaskis Canyon is one of those trails that is beautiful and sobering at the same time. This quick 1.2 km takes you through a stunning canyon carved by water flow, but the very creation

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-35770308026867627822008-11-24T09:10:00.001-07:002008-11-24T09:10:00.615-07:00

... our next stop on our drive was a quick interpretive loop beside the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, when we arrived the trail and most of the area around it had been blocked off due to bears in the area.Bear warnings aren't terribly unusual in this part of the world, especially in the spring. The big beasts are waking up and they're usually quite grumpy and

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-29254089566236667312008-11-23T21:02:00.000-07:002008-11-23T21:07:09.665-07:00

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-20034807515932003482008-11-18T08:15:00.000-07:002008-11-18T08:15:00.907-07:00

Kananaskis Valley - Wedge Pond. Trail details: Take Highway 40 past Kananaskis Village. Look for Wedge Day Use parking lot on left side of road.We'd never heard of Wedge Pond before this day. It's not even really much of a hike, but more of a 1 km loop around a small pond. It was busy, and there was a lot of activity, but you know what? I'd go back there on a warm summer day in a heartbeat, just

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-89583276635656753042008-11-16T15:23:00.011-07:002008-11-16T18:09:47.305-07:00

Kananaskis Valley - Troll Falls. Trail details: Drive south on Highway 40 and turn right at the Nakiska access road. Take the first right into the Stoney Day Use area.Some days hubby and I don't feel like going for the full-day, 20k hike. There are so many nice areas just off the highway and so many sights only a five minute walk along a short trail, it would be a crime to pass them up simply

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-41375963642645246672008-11-08T16:09:00.009-07:002008-11-08T17:44:45.810-07:00

Canmore - Ha Ling Peak. Trail Details: From Canmore, head west on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (Highway 742), past the Nordic Centre. Turn right into the Goat Creek Day Use parking lot. Trail begins across the highway.When I first started hiking the thought of making it to the actual summit of a mountain in the Canadian Rockies seemed inconceivable. I had visions of climbing gear and ropes and

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-89208058429639274042008-10-15T08:19:00.000-06:002008-10-15T08:19:02.760-06:00

We'd intended to hike Ford Knoll, but some spooked wild horses in the forest turned us back. Instead we walked along the river beside the campground, on the trail we use to get to Nihahi. I'll never get tired of the view....

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-64762360132819630392008-10-13T08:02:00.000-06:002008-10-13T08:02:00.631-06:00

Sandy McNabb trail - (1.8 km loop) Head west from Turner Valley on Highway 546 (look for signs pointing to Bluerock). Turn down access road into Sandy McNabb Recreation area. Take third left into parking area.Bluerock Creek Trail - (2.2 km loop) Head west from Turner Valley on Highway 546 (look for signs pointing to Bluerock). Look for turnout/parking lot along highway just before Bluerock Creek

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-87506151042681616802008-10-12T08:32:00.001-06:002008-10-12T08:32:01.027-06:00

After watching a kayaking competition at Canoe Meadows, D and I decided to squeeze in just a short hike at Barrier Lake, opting to use Stoney Trail and Prairie View Trail to create a loop just over the dam.As I mentioned in an earlier post, Barrier Lake went from winter wonderland to springtime surprise in just under three weeks, and while we finally had snow-free trails to hike, I had to wonder

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-26566050273590036802008-10-04T19:17:00.000-06:002008-10-04T19:17:55.245-06:00

It feels funny to be writing about May as we're just a week from Canadian Thanksgiving, but that's what happens when you fall behind in posting. ;-)D and I took a drive out to the Kananaskis area via Highway 40 to check out Barrier Lake. The late thaw meant there had been plenty of snow in the area just a couple of weeks prior, but with the nice weather finally settling in, I wanted to see how

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-36787887079702662852008-08-04T18:30:00.004-06:002008-08-04T18:42:03.567-06:00

This crazy long weekend (for us anyway) seems like an excellent time to mention a fabulous site: Wildsmart.ca. Wildsmart tracks wildlife sightings and movements throughout the Bow Valley (generally, the area from the East Banff Park gates to Yamnuska). While the site focuses on the bear activity in the area, there is also information on cougar sightings, kill sites and aggressive elk and

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-82354384112300026492008-07-01T17:11:00.005-06:002008-07-01T17:46:05.646-06:00

I have a serious fascination with Mt. Rundle, the towering rock that separates Banff from Canmore. I'm far from the only one -- most nature photographers from the area have any number of Mt. Rundle shots for sale.There's something in the way the mountain seems to jut into the sky, and the sharp angle of the peak. The lines of the mountain on the north side seem to run right to the ground. The

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-80127666590168347282008-06-14T22:59:00.004-06:002008-06-14T23:03:03.822-06:00

Hey all, sorry for my absence of the past week -- it's been a crazy week in the HipHiker household. I have a whole bunch of photos to share though, so I'm hoping to get some of those posted in the next couple of days.In other news, I'm also blogging over at Creative Weblogging's Outdoor Weblog. Please stop on by and let me know what you think. I'm looking for some hiking travel advice, and I've

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-32489339618865789682008-06-04T20:10:00.003-06:002008-06-04T20:14:32.424-06:00

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn." --John Muir(Shamelessly stolen from a trail pamphlet for Fenland Trail in Banff, Alberta)

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-65087672706775609062008-05-31T23:10:00.004-06:002008-05-31T23:18:30.127-06:00

I've got more "hooky" photos coming, but I had to post a shot from today's hike. Less than three weeks ago, I visited Barrier Lake Dam, and took this shot of the late thaw and all the snow that remained despite the warm weather:Here's Barrier Lake Dam today, 19 days later:To quote Kramer from Seinfeld... "Mother Nature is a maaaad scientist!"

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-59621661663094431992008-05-27T22:14:00.013-06:002008-05-27T23:00:14.489-06:00

It's been a crazy week here in my world, so it has taken me a while get these photos posted. I hate it when the real world gets in the way.A couple of weeks ago I was still testing a digital camera, and I wound up playing hooky for the day and going for a drive in the mountains. The weather was just starting to turn nice after a *lot* of late season snow, and now when I look at the photos I can't

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-4162579566403478382008-05-18T20:47:00.005-06:002008-05-18T21:07:28.452-06:00

I was hoping for more practice with the camera I was testing, and Grassi Lakes seemed like a good choice. When you hike it in just the right light, the natural colours of the lakes are stunning.Grassi Lakes is just outside of Canmore (close to the Nordic Centre), and right on the border to Banff National Park, so yeah, we were expecting to snow (thanks to the incredibly late thaw this season --

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-34872662989720779062008-05-15T10:04:00.008-06:002008-05-15T11:33:09.222-06:00

Elbow Falls Day Use Area: From Bragg Creek, take Highway 22 south to the t-intersection. Turn right onto Highway 66. Follow Highway 66 for about 20-25 kms, or until you see the winter gates for Highway 66. Entrance to parking lot is on the south side of the highway, right before the gates.Beaver Flats Interpretive Walk: Just beyond Elbow Falls along Highway 66. There is a small parking lot on

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-85196598409453007692008-05-07T16:06:00.010-06:002008-05-07T17:12:11.232-06:00

After three weeks of mostly snow (yes, in April! Snow. In. April. Ok, that's the last of the complaining), N and I had passed on a few of our usual weekends. The snow is fun to hike in and a big change when it happens in November or December. By April, it's just a pain in the butt. Especially since the weather had been alternately warming and freezing, you just never knew what was under your

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-48797068661385285692008-05-02T22:41:00.004-06:002008-05-02T22:48:40.794-06:00

This was probably the last hike we got in before the week-long snow hit (I promise that's the last of my whining). You had to know something was in the air; when I left the house that morning, I couldn't even see 4 houses down:Of course, by the time I drove past the ski jumps on the west side of the city, I could see blue sky ahead. Strange weather when the city is covered in fog and the

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-4929959339822565422008-04-28T14:02:00.004-06:002008-04-28T14:17:43.068-06:00

N recently picked up new hiking boots and they look great, but she was commenting that she can already feel sore spots forming in some places. While the boots are brand new, they're not new enough that she can return them easily. They've been worn out on the trail and moderately broken in, and only now is this becoming a problem.I went online and there's plenty of information about breaking in

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-54479634001894198202008-04-26T19:08:00.010-06:002008-04-26T19:57:12.528-06:00

After a relatively mild winter, April in Alberta was pretty much a write-off. Barely a week went by without a dumping of snow: 15 cm here, 20 cm there. Sometimes it was followed by nice enough weather to melt most of it away, but the past week or so has been a gray, overcast, cold existence, with daily snow and lows we haven't seen since January. We probably could have gone hiking at some point

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-20971476788705673232008-03-25T22:24:00.007-06:002008-03-25T23:01:08.707-06:00

After Sunday's gorgeous hike up Yamnuska, D and I thought we'd give it a try on Saturday. After all, a week of gorgeous weather could only mean the trails would be in ever *better* shape, right?Not so much. Temperatures dropped below zero the night before (we even had snow in the city), and all the lovely melting snow solidified into the dreaded ice. Not to mention the weather that Saturday was

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-34534293012926244652008-03-11T21:02:00.008-06:002008-03-13T21:11:21.938-06:00

The weather here has been ridiculously warm. While the eastern part of the country (and continent) suffer through countless snowstorms and arctic temperatures, we've hardly seen any snow and the thermometer has only dipped to the truly chilly for a handful of days.When it does snow, it's usually thick wet late spring type snow, which causes problems on its own through avalanches. Even the warm

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-13884782361552458482008-03-07T11:58:00.003-07:002008-03-07T12:02:29.623-07:00

It was a gray day, with just the smallest amount of snow falling, but as always, a wonderful morning to be by the water....

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-780672643712919362008-03-04T22:36:00.002-07:002008-03-04T22:41:03.231-07:00

I'm very flattered to be included in As The Crackerhead Crumbles' "Five for Friday" photo collection. There are some stunning photos there, I'm a little gobsmacked to be included with them.Sorry for my extended absence -- traveled to Winnipeg and back, and there's really not a lot of hiking content there. ;-) Blog news coming soon....

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-16626584042658416182008-02-26T00:06:00.003-07:002008-02-26T01:13:44.962-07:00

This post has become a victim of my own lack of proper research. I'm removing both the link and my original comments because I just don't enjoy stories of this type and don't want to pass it along -- there are enough wildlife stories with unhappy endings in the daily newspaper.Thanks to Marvin for pointing out my mistake.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-29669158332439878152008-02-19T15:36:00.002-07:002008-02-19T15:41:43.252-07:00

A friend we encountered along the trail:(Not bad for a cell phone photo, hey?)Hiking was glorious this weekend. It was a long weekend here in Alberta and the warm weather had blown in, making this more like an early spring hike than a mid-February one.If there's a greater weather phenomenon than the Chinook, I don't know what it is...Question for the masses: Is "Chinook" (as a weather term)

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-81887521037970020732008-02-11T12:14:00.000-07:002008-02-11T12:38:44.127-07:00

Sure, Heart Creek is only a 2.5km stroll one-way, but load it with at least a foot of snow and a cold day and it becomes a choice hike for a casual Sunday.It was rumored the temperature was going to hit plus 4 in this part of the mountains, but it wasn't anywhere close to that when N and I got to the trailhead near Lac des Arcs. Thankfully there was little wind, but we bundled up and hit the

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-13245631666990220862008-02-08T16:21:00.000-07:002008-02-08T16:47:54.115-07:00

With the provincial election ramping up and the overdue land use agreement still in the works, there is no better time for hikers, cyclists and other recreational enthusiasts to educate themselves on the issues surrounding the areas we love to play in.The Calgary Sun has an excellent look at the logging that is running practically unchecked in the West Kananaskis area in their piece City's

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-35146076971957860312008-02-06T10:20:00.000-07:002008-02-06T10:34:31.855-07:00

Found this fascinating article on Canoe.ca the other day: Video games replacing outdoor activity.The Nature Conservatory funded a study on outdoor activity and found some startling numbers about camping, fishing, hiking and hunting in many countries around the world, not including Canada.It was discovered - particularly in the US - that outdoor activities are in a sharp decline, most notable

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-2657640182379498782008-01-29T17:57:00.000-07:002008-01-29T18:37:21.173-07:00

Johnston's Canyon trail, particularly the Inkpots, is an excellent example of a trail that is completely different depending on when it is hiked. N and I had hiked this same trail back at the end of October, but the difference between the two experiences is stunning.(Trail details here)This time of year the snow is just starting to build up along the canyon walls, and the catwalks of the trail.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-36672367584501996782008-01-24T17:21:00.000-07:002008-01-24T17:29:42.813-07:00

Back to back Sulphur Springs hikes! It's true! D had never been on the rollercoaster journey that is Sulphur Springs and since we were looking for a nice long hike that was a workout without being too strenuous, we thought we'd give this one a try.The most amazing thing was for once most of the hike was calm -- little to no wind, beautiful weather. Even the lookout, which we usually *feel* before

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-25486638813264885652008-01-24T16:55:00.000-07:002008-01-24T17:40:42.035-07:00

Granted, this doesn't have much to do with hiking, but after posting the Tunnel Mountain hike and the photo of the Banff Springs Hotel, I thought it was somewhat relevant.I've been doing a little bit of research on the history of Banff and area and I stumbled onto this fascinating little cache of info. Here are some numbers from 1973 about the cost and upkeep of the Banff Springs Hotel:Cost to

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-70183645499759872022008-01-23T22:30:00.000-07:002008-01-23T22:35:03.563-07:00

From the lookout. All I remember it was so windy and cold that my poor hands had about 3 seconds to take a photo before everything went blurry and digits started falling off:

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-18894612023867438632008-01-22T11:27:00.000-07:002008-01-22T11:34:54.652-07:00

For our final hike of 2007, N and I decided on a quick power walk up Tunnel Mountain. It's a short hike, but it never lets up. And you can't beat the views.It doesn't take long before you have an amazing view of the historic Banff Springs Hotel:It looks a lot colder than it really was. A nice winter view of Banff:From the other side of Tunnel Mountain, looking out over the valley between Banff

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-20772836354101295002008-01-22T11:23:00.000-07:002008-01-22T11:26:03.746-07:00

Outdoorzy.com has a link to a NYTimes article on cold weather hiking and a nice summary of the tips within: When Is It Too Cold For Outdoor Activites?.It's a good read. The bad news is, it shoots down pretty much all of me and N's excuses on those cold Sundays (oh, except bad roads!).

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-72653690476435309952008-01-17T13:34:00.000-07:002008-01-17T13:40:14.749-07:00

With only a few hours to spare D and I decided to do a quick Diamond T hike (trail details). We strapped on our Yak-Traks and expected to see a lot of the trail looking like this:But the crazy thing was, the higher we got, the trail started to look a lot more like this:There has been snow in the forecast since then, but I can't remember the last time Elbow Valley was so brown in January!

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-42697015681362167522008-01-15T15:06:00.000-07:002008-01-17T13:31:57.303-07:00

Meanwhile, California isn't the only area with recreational concerns. Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton has been making the rounds to local business leaders, discussing the government's new land-use framework. He's been pleasantly letting everyone know that "almost no one will be completely happy". Wink-wink.Morton Sees Backlash Over Land-Use -- Calgary HeraldAs he's preparing

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-44793444301668203022008-01-15T14:50:00.000-07:002008-01-15T15:00:22.533-07:00

Some scary news out of California today. State Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger has proposed to close 48 state parks as part of an overall budget reduction.Some news links here:Gov.'s Proposal To Close 48 Sites Angers Avid Users -- LaTimes.comGovernor Proposes Closing 48 Parks -- Record-Bee.comI'm not at all familiar with the California system of park management, but closing recreational areas for

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-31448202388948098862008-01-12T00:56:00.000-07:002008-01-12T01:02:59.227-07:00

Two weeks later we hiked the highway again. This time we found the mountains we'd missed on the previous hike:Compare that with the view from the same spot two weeks earlier:I'm not sure how much more hiking we'll be doing along the highway. Hiking on asphalt just doesn't cut it when there are so many other great hikes around.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-50574905925028960772008-01-10T17:13:00.000-07:002008-01-10T17:33:51.907-07:00

I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary, one of the first men to summit Mt. Everest, along with Tenzing Norgay.The Times has a good piece on Hillary: Everest Conquerer Sir Edmund Hillary Dies.Stuff.co.nz has a look at the tragedies in Hillary's life, and there were many: The Dark Shadow Over Sir Edmund's Life.The New York Times sets the scene and displays why Everest seemed

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-85818248258507211062008-01-08T18:08:00.000-07:002008-01-08T18:32:05.468-07:00

Get yer kicks, on Route 66 (C'mon, it had to be said).With the Highway 66 gates at Elbow Falls closed for the season, N and I decided to take advantage of the closed road and hike along the highway itself. In May it had been a fun alternative while we waited for the gates to open, and on days when we don't have the ability to drive too far out of the city, and we're just not in the mood to hike

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-80981762422807300502008-01-08T17:29:00.000-07:002008-01-08T18:07:26.826-07:00

I posted about the 3 children nipped by coyotes in Canmore a few weeks ago. At the time I commented that it was unusual for coyotes to attack kids, especially one as old as 13.Well a couple of articles from local Canmore papers shed a lot more light in the situation. From the Rocky Mountain Outlook:Wittner said the coyotes were not attacking the children, instead, the animals were likely begging

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137487295108281014.post-86777966676237505182008-01-02T01:08:00.000-07:002008-01-02T01:12:02.349-07:00

On this particular Sunday, N and I just did a quick hike through Fullerton Loop, probably our first winter hike on that trail where we actually felt the need to use Yak-Traks.The third bridge was still out from the wind storm some time back, and I doubt it will be cleared before the Spring.

Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008830395970778824noreply@blogger.com