Trail starts at the Grotto Lake parking lot and then parallels the 1A highway behind the Baymag plant #2. It is 1.1kms from the parking lot to the creek bed where you head north and follow the creek bed for another km to the falls. The indian pictographs are just before the falls (on the left) and are fading fast so don't touch as the oils in our fingertips will accelerate the erosion of these 500-1000 year old paintings. From the falls you can continue further up the creek bed through a high walled corridor which eventually opens into a wide open valley. There are some hoodoos in here with a large cave at about the 3km mark. Bear sign quite evident in the area with large overturned stones, tracks, droppings, and at about the 4 km mark a very suggestive growl and some "blowing". I didn't venture any farther as I was soloing. A good half day hike where good footwear is a must. Plenty of water sources so bring a filter/purifier if you need to drink alot. I searched using several names but could not find this little jaunt anywheres in Trailpeak. If it is a copy I apologise. Hike safe!
Editors Note: This is also doable as an ice hike up the canyon and ice climbing for the properly equipped and trained.
Directions:
From Calgary take the 1A though Cochrane and Exshaw, or for faster & safer drive, go West on TC #1 to the Seebe exit, go North then turn left on 1A for 10.9km. The Grotto Mountain Day Use area is on the North side of the highway and well marked. Trailhead is in the parking lot with an information board at the start.
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ByPosted By: Azailer
- Sun Feb 24 02:50:08 EST 2013
Upsidegreat for beginner/intermediate and the advanced hikers (as an access route to back country)
Downsidelocation/trail not clearly marked (however, makes it more interesting to explore)
CommentI loved the location and the fact that there were not too many people. I enjoy the hikes when I dont feel like I am part of a "tour group". As a begginer hiker with a somewhat entry level fitness I found this hike to be fun!
ByPosted By: tongie
- Sun Jul 22 11:20:52 EDT 2012
UpsideBeautiful in the winter when the creek is fully frozen, though crampons or spiked (not coils) traction for your boots are essential to make it extra fun. There are many soggy spots, so be prepared with boots that can handle moisture. Other than that it's easy and enjoyable with kids of all ages. If you hang a left at the end of the canyon you end up in a beautiful semi-back country valley. Have yet to do it in summer.
DownsideBusy, and when the ice climbers are hacking down ice you can't safely get to the caves without risking being pummelled by shrapnel.
ByPosted By: Lbechard
- Mon Jul 25 00:25:06 EDT 2011
UpsideGreat distance and not too steep for beginners.
DownsideTrail not clearly marked to the falls - easy to take a more difficult route that doesn't lead to the falls. Walking on creek bed may not be for those with balance or vision challenges.
CommentEnjoyed the gorgeous day - nice to see water into the hike - falls small but not dry! Would like to have better signs for pictographs and the trail routes along the way. Where is the end? Does it lead in a loop? We walked and then turned around- no route maps indicating branches or alternate trails.
ByPosted By: MelZo
- Mon Jul 18 11:26:30 EDT 2011
UpsideBeautiful scenery, good walk, not particularly busy
DownsideSo many different trails to take, we're not sure we took the "right" one
CommentDid this just this past weekend, so the creek and the falls were dry as dust - at the falls themselves, there were small pools of collected rainwater, but that's about it. There was a large group of people at the trailhead, but we left a few minutes after them, and didn't see them again for the rest of the day. We crossed the creek bed and went up on the left side of the creek to the falls, which was a narrower path closer to the edge of the "cliffs" than the path we took down, on the left side of the creek. All in all, a decent half-day (we went only slightly up from the falls and then made our way back). Note there are no outhouses at this trailhead, unlike a lot of the trails near Canmore. However, a few clicks west on the 1A is Gap Lake, which has outhouses.
If you're going to climb the falls when they're dry, make sure you have adequate footwear, as the stone is smooth as a baby's arse.
ByPosted By: frostiex
- Sun Dec 27 19:33:57 EST 2009
Not Rated
Upside-Easy -Many things to see -canyon is very magnificent
DownsideHard to find the proper trail.
CommentI really enjoyed this trail in the spring time with a bunch of friends. The weather was mild and ice still walkable. Planning on going again in the winter to get a winter view.
ByPosted By: spaceyfoo
- Fri Jun 19 02:32:59 EDT 2009
UpsideGentle, easy hike with some nice views.
Downside Tried this trail twice, once in winter and once in the spring and both times I went I could not venture into the canyon due to ice. So make sure to go in the summer once all the ice has melted if you want to see the pictographs.
ByPosted By: spaceyfoo
- Fri Jun 19 02:31:53 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideGentle, easy hike with some nice views.
DownsideTried this trail twice, once in winter and once in the spring and both times I went I could not venture into the canyon due to ice. So make sure to go in the summer once all the ice has melted if you want to see the pictographs.
ByPosted By: Sarabiner
- Mon Oct 13 13:36:32 EDT 2008
UpsideGood variety of climbing routes. Ice climbing in the winter.
DownsideOverpopulated.
CommentDon't forget crampons or ice walkers in the wintertime.
ByPosted By: macaco19
- Thu Oct 09 16:55:59 EDT 2008
UpsideViews, Pictograms, nice trail year round
DownsideI've had some problems with people taking their dogs off leash, I always keep mine on leash. I find it ignorant and disrespectful.
CommentGreat hike to enjoy either in the summer months or winter months. Can get a bit hot in the summer over on the exposed areas. But there is usually plenty of water to cool off. Take reasonable precautions in the winter
Posted By: Azailer
Posted By: tongie
Posted By: Lbechard
Posted By: MelZo
Posted By: frostiex
Posted By: Sarabiner
