August 2020
We took a mid-August trip to Kananaskis, our first and only camping trip this year. We went during the week to avoid the crowds that have plagued all of Alberta’s parks this summer.
We arrived late Sunday afternoon and it was mind-boggling how busy it was. Every lake and every trailhead had vehicles parked long the roads and in ditches for long stretches. We made a quick stop at the visitors centre to get some hiking advice before heading to our campsite.
The next morning we got up early and arrived at the trailhead for the Picklejar Lakes by 8:30. This was a long hike, but it was nice; filled with meadows along the way and ending at a series of small alpine lakes. We had lunch at the 3rd lake and later watched Pikas running around the boulders at the first lake. By the time left the lakes were packed with people and we were very grateful we had started early.
The next day we decided to do a road trip up Highway 40 through Kananaskis, over to Canmore, and back south on the dirt highway via Spray Lakes. We left camp as soon as we got up and had breakfast river side at a small pullout. Then we got going, stopping at every pull out along the way, exploring it all. We hung out with pikas, chipmunks, and golden-mantled ground squirrels in rock fields; we took our chairs to sit in an ice cold stream tucked in the forest with no one around; we visited raging turquoise rivers, inky black lakes, and mountain lookouts; and we had dinner at one of our favourite little spots on the back side of a small lake. We didn't get back to camp until dark, just enough time to have a fire and some wine before bed.
Day 3 we decided to hike around the North half of Upper Kananaskis Lake. This turned out tome a really beautiful hike. The first third was lakeside with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains; the second section we picked our way across an immense boulder field, through non stop rocks covered in stunning colours of lichens; and the last third was through a gorgeous mossy forest filled with big trees and sunlight. It was a much prettier and more varied hike than we had anticipated, always a nice surprise.
In the evening we decided to drive out to a picnic spot along. river we had found the day before. As we left camp we noticed strange coloured clouds forming, and once we got to the highway the sky was filled with a deep purple rain cloud, with orange edges all around. We were confused by the colours as you only see this with forest fires. As we got out to take pictures the cloud started raining a little. But it was not raining water droplets rather it was ash floating down from the sky. We didn't realize there were forest fires just across the border in B.C., as we hadn't read the news in a few days.
We decided to head home a day early so Jeremy could get prepped for school and on Wednesday night we picked up everything except our tent and sleeping bags. First thing Thursday morning we packed up the tent and headed out to have breakfast at another spot riverside. After breakfast we headed to the Ptarmigan Cirque trailhead. This is a short and fairly manageable hike to a gorgeous cirque, making it extremely popular. Once again we timed it right and managed to get to the top and loop through the cirque just as the crowds started to arrive and we were beginning the descent back down the trail. This turned out to be my favourite hike of our trip, simply for the scenic meadows at the top. I felt sad to be finished this hike, as that meant it was now time for the long car ride home, and an end to our summer vacations.
It has been such a weird year, and in a way has felt like a disappointing summer. But I am happy to live in such a beautiful place with lots of outdoor opportunities close by (ish).
