Trail Cafe: Trip report - Hiking Grassi Lakes with Kids

Summary:

Title: Hiking Grassi Lakes with Kids
Trip type: hiking
Summary: It was Ella and Mika's first hiking trip in the Rockies. Grassi Lakes Trail is located in Canmore, very easy to access. It takes only about 2 hours but can see a lot.
Author: Jean Cao
Date of Trip: July 20, 2016
Country: CA
Province: Alberta
County/City/national park/etc: Calgary
Location Route: Grassi Lakes
Distance: 3.8 Km
Elevation Gain: 250 m
Are Horses Allowed?(yes/no): no
Weather Conditions:Sunny
Directions to Set in or Trail head: Drive west from Canmore along Spray Lakes Road (ie hwy 742), pass Nordic Centre about 2 km, turn left right before the road turns to gravel.
Partners: Tracy, Ella&Mika
Group experience level: Experienced hikers
Author's Experience level: Experienced hikers
Authors Trip Rating: Easy
Trip's Good Points: Beautiful view
Trip's Bad Points: None


Trail Description:

The trail is located in Canmore. 3.8 Km long and 250 m elevation gain. Fairly easy in summer. Very beautiful lakes, waterfall and wildflowers...


The Trip Report:

Trailhead is right behind the washroom
Trailhead is right behind the washroom
Grassi Lakes is one of my favourite trails. It is short and easy but has so much to see. In two hours, you get to see everything you expect in the Rockies: pine woods, creeks, water falls, lakes, rocks, naked rock climbers and Indian paintings on rock... It is a perfect trail for hiking with babies.

Two Trails Up
Two Trails Up
There are two trails going to the lakes. I usually take the "more difficult" trail going up and come down from the "easy" one which is a service road.

In the Woods
In the Woods
The first part of the trail is fairly leveled and well shaded.

Waterfall under Haling Peak
Waterfall under Haling Peak
Walk about 2 km, will hit a lookout point to see a waterfall. The mountain in the background is Haling Peak, named after a Chinese Chef who worked for CPR 100 years ago. There are a few versions of his story. The official one by Canmore Town is that he won a bet on if he could climb up to the peak and back in one day. He made it in 10 hours and won $50. The peak was used to called Chinaman Peak, but changed to Haling Peak for political correction.

Steep Stairs
Steep Stairs
From the waterfall, the trail becomes very steep. There are also a section of steep stairs by the cliff. So coming down in high heels is not recommended...

Breathtaking View
Breathtaking View
After climbing the steep section, it is time to take a break and catch up breath. The view here is stunning.

The First Grassi Lake
The First Grassi Lake
Keep walking uphill, soon will see the first lake on the right hand side. The water from the lake runs over the cliff and turns into the waterfall we saw earlier.

The Second Grassi Lake
The Second Grassi Lake
Pass a log bridge, soon will come out of the woods and hit the service road. Turn left then the second lake is on the left hand side. The colour changes at different spots in the lake because the colour comes from the algae in this lake.

The Third Grassi Lake
The Third Grassi Lake
Pass a little wood bridge, it is the third Grassi Lake. The colour is like a gem.

Little Ella
Little Ella
Ella fell in sleep by now.

Ancient Indian Paintings
Ancient Indian Paintings
If continuing to hike up, there are a few ancient Indian paintings on a huge rock. But they are fading away quickly in the last ten years.

View from Higher Up
View from Higher Up
Return from the Indian Painting, the view is stunning.

The Easy Way Down
The Easy Way Down
Come back on the service road, the easy way down.

Little Mika
Little Mika
Mika fell in sleep as well on the way back.



Gallery

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Trailhead is right behind the washroom

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Two Trails Up

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In the Woods

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Waterfall under Haling Peak

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Steep Stairs

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Breathtaking View

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The First Grassi Lake

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The Second Grassi Lake

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The Third Grassi Lake

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Little Ella

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Ancient Indian Paintings

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View from Higher Up

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The Easy Way Down

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Little Mika


Content Copyright © Jean Cao 2016


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