This will be an amazing base trip to some fabulous mountain scenery and incredible hikes.   We will drive from home to  the north end of Kananaskis country to base ourselves for 4 nights (drive day 9th, campsites need to be booked for 9, 10, 11, 12th)  at the Mount Kidd RV park – full hook ups to partial hook ups to tent sites.   The resort has a hot tub, store, laundry, tennis courts, bike trails etc.   Spots have to be booked 90 days before (May 10th) – 403-591-7700 and the full hook up sites will be booked in the first 10 minutes!   Basic sites can still be reserved later, also partial hook ups.   Prices range from $55 to $36 depending on type of site.

Hikes proposed (weather permitting) – only three days so we will pick when we are there.

Mt Allen Centennial Trail to the pinnacles.  18km, 1150 metres.  A very strenuous start climbing 610 m in less than 2 km but the grassy rib it follows has marvellous views and is a flower lovers paradise.   After reaching the Olympic summit the worst of the climbing is behind you and the most scenic part of the route is yet to come.  The trail winds through the mushroom garden, itself only a prelude to the celebrated passage between the rocky ridge crest and a row of 25 metre high conglomerate pinnacles that are absolutely spectacular.   Memorial lakes, Sparrowhawk, Bogart and Ribbon Peak are visible.  Return the same way.

Wasootch Ridge – 13 km; 800 metres.   A scenic ridge walk undulating above and below treeline, finally shaking free of the trees and rising in a graceful curve to a grassy top.  Incredible views all the way.

Barrier Lake lookout – 12km return.   An easier day climbing some 600 metres to the summit of McConnel Ridge to an old lookout and helipad.   Views across the foothills and out to the prairies and Bow Valley.

Memorial lakes – 16km, 585 M to 2nd lake, 690 m to 3rd lake.  14 km return.   Waterfalls, tarns, cliffs, the head of Ribbon Creek is a magical place and quite easy to get to the emerald lakes.   the trail was washed out in the big floods but has since been rebuilt.   There is a climb between the 2nd and 3rd lakes leading you to the memorial cairn and plaque remembering the 13 people who died in 1986 when two search planes crashed during the search for two biologists.   Return the same way, or take a scramble route back to 1st lake to shorten the distance.

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After this event we will continue on to Montana for an unofficial, unsanctioned trip.   For this trip all participants are responsible for their own safety and decisions as the club cannot sanction trips outside of Canada.  All participants will be responsible for their own travel, medical and liability insurance.

For those continuing on to Glacier Park, Montana Monday 13th will be a travel day.   It is about a 4 hr drive with customs.   Option to have lunch in Waterton park as we drive by that area.  We will stay at the KOA resort for 5 nights – full hook ups to tent sites; cabins; motel; restaurant; laundry; pool.  Reserve through their website or call 1-800-562-1504.

Hikes proposed; we can only do 3 out of these 4.

Highline Trail Garden Wall and Swiftcurrent Pass: 20 km, 1950 feet.  A long day with a car shuttle, or bus shuttle.   The hike begins from the north side of the Going to the Sun Road and is actually a one way hike through to Many Glacier.   At every step the spectacular scenery as the Highline follows along the Continental Divide also known as the Garden Wall.  Exceptionally beautiful views and opportunities for spotting wildlife and wildflowers.    The trail hugs the cliffs to the Granite Park Chalet at 7.6 miles with Mt Cannon, Oberlin and Heavens Peak dominating the views.  Small selection of snacks and water available here.  The trail follows on to Swiftcurrent Pass past Bullhead lake down to Many Glacier.   Shuttle back to cars or campground.

Siyeh Pass loop trail – 10.4 miles; 2280 feet.   Short car or bus shuttle.  This semi circle loops begins at Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge with a possible side trip to Piegan Pass.   The trail is a gradual climb to Siyeh with some outstanding alpine scenery.

Iceberg Lake – 14km return, 1275 feet.  Out and back from Many Glacier.   Spectacular hike up to a beautiful alpine lake.

Grinnel Glacier from Many Glacier – 7.6 miles, 1840 feet.   Another spectacular hike up to Grinnel Glacier.

A day off is planned in between hikes to drive the spectacular Going to the Sun road to West Glacier, and round to West Glacier stopping at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge and East Glacier lodges, both built in the 1800’s to service the railways.  There are restrictions of units to drive this road – 21′ length bumper to bumper; 8′ wide including wing mirrors, 10′ tall cannot drive this road so we will carpool in available vehicles.   If we do not have enough vehicles to do this we will do the 4th suggested hike.

Saturday 18th August – drive home.   A long drive home (about 14 hrs) so an overnight somewhere between Glacier and Kamloops is suggested.  Self contained units can camp for free at the casino on Hwy 1/Hwy 40 – about half way home.

Group size limited to 12.

National Parks Service photo