Bighorn No. 8

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, getting to/finding the trailhead is the most difficult part of this hike! On top of Black Rock Mountain is an abandoned fire lookout that was utilized from 1928 to 1950. Through all those years, the lookout was supplied by pack horses, so not only is the trail well defined, it's also a very easy scramble that can be done by anybody....

Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging out.If you are coming from the town of Banff, take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive until you reach...

This Alberta classic start just a few minutes off the Trans Canada. The trail begins gently through forests of Aspen. In spring and fall these are particularly lovely. Steadily the trail heads upwards bringing you to a three-way junction. Head right, and follow the trail Eastwards, as it zigs into open terrain giving you stellar views of the Rockies foothills, before zagging back westwards towa...

First route put up on Yamnuska by Hans Gmoser, Leo GrillmairSome say this was the start of modern climbing in Canada5.6 Trad Route- 8 PitchesThis climb is very unique once you get to the last pitch- squeezing your way into a cave, once at the cave you climb through a small hole which brings you out on top of the mountain. We climbed this route in the beginning of August- We got great weather an...

Bankhead is a ghost town which flanks Cascade Mountain and lies just south of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. The main portion of the ghost town is located in Lower Bankhead, which can be reach by traveling North on Range Rd 1158 (closed Nov - Apr), following the signs to Lake Minnewanka. The turn-off on the right is easy to miss, but is located at (51.232523, -115.524069). Upon turning...

This is a well-traveled hike, so if you stay on the path, you'll likely need only a good pair of boots. However, in the middle of winter, the lake freezes solid, and you might enjoy exploring a little out on the frozen lake like we did. Snowshoes definitely came in handy out there.This is a very picturesque trail that weaves in and out of Douglas fir, spruce and pine trees, and loops around the...

As you drive towards Johnson Lake, the road will end at a parking lot where you should park. There are restrooms and picnic tables located in this same area.  Due to the low elevation, the trail around Johnson Lake is a gentle walk, but trail conditions should always be checked especially during snow season.  The main trail is 2.2 miles and will take you around Johnson Lake. To visit the cabin,...

Head up to Lake Minnewanka on a high alert night to get the perfect view of the Canadian Northern Lights. You can go online to get updates on the best times to go and where they will be the brightest. While the dam at the lake may be overrun with people, explore around and you can find a nice empty viewing spot. Alternately, you can head to one of the many campsites on the Lake trail before Jul...

There's not much of a trailhead for Maze Peak - in fact there isn't a trailhead at all. Bring up the start location from this post and pull over on the side of the dirt road once you get to it! The hardest part about this trail is just kind of finding it, really. The good news is that you're going to stumble across it eventually as long as you keep gaining elevation!As you move up the southwest...