CR2014: The Final Day

August 8th, 2014, was our last day of hiking in Canada this year, a potpourri of short walks. Soon after leaving the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis we came to the O'Shaughnessy Falls trailhead, at the side of Highway 40.

The falls is named for the engineer who supervised the construction of Highway 40, and created the wishing well at the roadside, since rebuilt at least once.

The falls are directly by the road, and the water then flows underneath the highway.

The spring feeding the creek is further up the hill, and considered sacred by the Stoney Indians. This was plainly evident we walked along the creek. Here and there colored cloth is tied to the trees.

There is also the remains of what might have been a sweat lodge.

Eventually we decided to return to the car, before reaching the spring. We drove on the the Bow Valley Provincial Park, and explored the Many Springs Trail, an easy loop.

This marshy area is created by its low elevation and the geology of the area (click on the photo to enlarge).

Mount Yamnuska overlooks the valley.

Along one shore we watched a spotted sandpiper through our binoculars.

The large pond at the heart of this trail is fed by percolating springs that provide astonishingly clear water. Here is a short video clip.


A more detailed exploration of this trail is given in the 'Hiking With Barry' blog here.

Our third short hike of the day was the Flowing Water Trail, also in the Bow Valley Provincial Park, but leaving from the Willow Rock Campground.

The trail meanders through parts of the campground, including the theater, to the banks of the Kananaskis River. A brief climb took us to an overlook above the river.

The river was flowing gently, and water enthusiasts had made their way down to it.

The return leg of the loop included skirting the edge of a wetland area, and a few stretches of boardwalk.

By now it was time for the short drive into Canmore to purchase chocolate, both bars and truffles, from Le Chocolatier, as we have for several years. Then, with regret, we turned our rental car away from the mountains and drove to the airport hotel in Calgary, and early the next day flew back to Columbus.

But ideas for our 2015 visit were already bubbling in our minds; at least one destination will be new to us.