On July 16, 2025, Joan and I flew to Calgary to start our 2025 hiking adventure. The flights went well, but when we drove our rental vehicle (Enterprise) out of the parking garage, it was clear that the air conditioning was struggling in bright sunshine. We decided if this was the worst thing about the car -- last year the trunk failed to shut after two days, and we lost a day getting a replacement -- we could live with it. In its favor, Enterprise has a much quicker check-in and lower prices than the big-name rentals.
After stopping at the Kananaskis Visitor Center to purchase bear spray and a parking permit, we drove down to Barrier Lake and the Barrier Lake trailhead. (Click on any image to enlarge.)This is a short hike with some switchbacks and altitude gain, revealing views up and down the valley. I didn't take any photos today, and we drove on to Canmore and our hotel.
Overnight there were thundershowers, and the morning of the 17th revealed lingering, intermittent light rain and mist. Joan and I decided it would be a good day to warm up by hiking the Heart Creek trail in the cool, damp weather. Few cars were parked there for a change! However, after several footbridges led us back and forth across the creek as we ascended, we reached a crossing via stepping stones -- underwater in a vigorous current from the overnight rains. We turned around, disappointed. From the parking area we stretched our legs a bit in the other direction, towards the Heart Creek Bunker, and then returned.
The 18th brought fair weather; here's the morning view from our hotel room (one floor up). |
| The plants are atop a dining area. |
We drove down to Barrier Lake again, this time for the Prairie View hike. We had climbed to the lookout in 2011 and 2016, but this was nine years later. |
| Note the extensive switchbacks at map top. |
The hike begins with a stroll across the dam.At the far end we entered the forested area, at first on a gentle grade, and then on the extensive series of switchbacks. (The "trail" begins as an old unpaved road.) At the one-hour mark, we encountered this Western coralroot in bud,and a foraging red squirrel.After slogging uphill another three-quarters of an hour, views began to open up. |
| That's not me. |
Further along the ridge, and higher up, with the dam in the distance -- after another hour.But look at the way ahead!We hiked along the ridge to the spot where, we knew, some less-than-ideal stones headed steeply up. We'd done them twice in years before. But when we reached that section, it now looked sketchy, slick, and polished. Handholds were scarce. After taking a few cautious steps, we decided to walk back as far as a great view and have lunch there. Another gentleman hiking with us made the same decision.
A chipmunk also thought it was a wonderful idea, and kept approaching us time after time as we shooed it away with our hiking poles. After lunch, we descended the switchbacks with an eye on the blooms, including this wood lily.And a Japanese spirea.Butterflies and blue aster!Near the end we trod just above the lakeshore, where beachgoers and paddlers were accumulating. A host of birds descended for a meal, taking advantage of some kind of hatching. Overall, we had a good first workout. In the next post, we'll tackle the Castle Mountain Lookout.
This is a short hike with some switchbacks and altitude gain, revealing views up and down the valley. I didn't take any photos today, and we drove on to Canmore and our hotel.
At the far end we entered the forested area, at first on a gentle grade, and then on the extensive series of switchbacks. (The "trail" begins as an old unpaved road.) At the one-hour mark, we encountered this Western coralroot in bud,
and a foraging red squirrel.
After slogging uphill another three-quarters of an hour, views began to open up.
But look at the way ahead!
We hiked along the ridge to the spot where, we knew, some less-than-ideal stones headed steeply up. We'd done them twice in years before. But when we reached that section, it now looked sketchy, slick, and polished. Handholds were scarce. After taking a few cautious steps, we decided to walk back as far as a great view and have lunch there. Another gentleman hiking with us made the same decision.
