Posts by Gwen

3

Tourists READ THIS - There are other AMAZING places than Lake Louise!

by Gwen in

let's help out the tourists and the locals.

lake louise is getting way too busy!

cbc wrote about tourists being turned away, i also know some locals (taking their parents from out of town) that were turned away.. lake louise is a canadian gem and a "must see" for locals and tourists.

Gwen

Let's help out the tourists and the locals. Lake Louise is getting way TOO BUSY!

CBC wrote about tourists being turned away, I also know some locals (taking their parents from out of town) that were turned away.

Lake Louise is a Canadian gem and a "must see" for locals and tourists. It is as beautiful as the pictures but it is not as built up as many tourists may think (no town like Banff, less hotels and restaurants in Lake Louise Village, etc). If I was travelling from another country I'd likely make the stop even though it's crazy busy.

As a climber and hiker it is unfortunate to not want to go to a first class climbing area due to the craziness but then again there are MANY other amazing places. That is why I'm writing this, lets help out the tourists. Canada does not = Lake Louise. Please help share other amazing places all people should see. Of course as a local some may be kept secret ;).

If you are travelling to Lake Louise and want to see more LAKES or are turned away because so busy check out:

Moraine Lake (close to Lake Louise, also busy but maybe not as crazy)
Emerald Lake (by Field, BC - less than 30 minutes from Lake Louise)
Quarry Lake (in Canmore - it's not crazy blue but it's pretty with 360 degree mountain views if you are stopping in Canmore anyways)
Peyto Lake (on Icefields Parkway)

Here is a glimpse of Peyto Lake:

This is just a starter, I hope it inspires people to go to more than Lake Louise and Banff! Happy travels!

3

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) Summer Gondola and Lunch at Eagles Eye

by Pow Momma in

my family did our first summer gondola ride last year at lake louise in alberta.

full story can be found here.

i found it okay (maybe 3 out of 5 starts).

Gwen

The views are amazing. It's great to see people with young kids getting out and experiencing places like Kicking Horse.

Kicking Horse downhill mountain biking is amazing and insane - you need a downhill bike and some good protection (at least I do). The skiing at Kicking Horse is aggressive and steep so it's not surprising the biking is as well!

There are X-country trails "Moonrakers" on the road up to Kicking Horse which you can access at/near Cedar Lake. Nice location so you can jump in the lake to cool off after.

Women's Merrell Capra Bolt Light Trail Shoes Review

by Gwen in

i got an awesome set of "everything" shoes last year - merrell capra bolt light trail runner.

i wanted something for light hikes, active days in the city or mountains and trail runs.

i don't want to have to buy 20 different outdoor shoes for each activity i enjoy.

Gwen

I got an awesome set of "everything" shoes last year - Merrell Capra Bolt Light Trail Runner. I wanted something for light hikes, active days in the city or mountains and trail runs. I don't want to have to buy 20 different outdoor shoes for each activity I enjoy. I also extremely dislike all the white rubber soles on what seems like every women's runner and trail runner. Do people not wear there shoes off pavement? Maybe my shoes get more dirty than others but I just don't like white soles.

Besides non-white rubber sole options these shoes get 4 stars out of 5 review. I give them this rating because:

Positive features:

shockingly durable for light weight shoes - I am told all the time how hard I am on shoes
super comfortable like a running shoe
very light weight, feel like nothing on your foot
breathe extremely well
done a 10km running race, worked better than past "running" shoes
dark colours so they still look good / not gross and dirty
light weight for packing
metal hooks for laces, I've blown throw eyelet holes of light hikers (some say I'm rough on shoes)
I've personally had no blisters or rubbing

Negatives I've found:

like most shoes they need a more durable heel cup to stop material breakdown
breathability = wet feet in rain or wet ground, this is a trade off. There is a waterproof version of the Capra Bolt so consider it if in lots of wet weather

These shoes have lasted two seasons of lots of wear, I will definitely have them as top pick when I need to replace them.

1

Top 3 Short Hikes in Columbia Valley (by Invermere) British Columbia

by Pow Momma in

there are many short beautiful family friendly hikes in the columbia valley in british columbia.

most of the hikes below are by invermere.

i’m still working my way through all the hikes in the valley.

Gwen

I’m a fan of Enid Lake for an easy hike/walk and dog run.

It’s a quiet location when I’ve been. The hike is often accessible late in the year. I’ve been there in November with only a little snow on the ground - pictures from November trip. I’ve seen families and rugged strollers on the hike. While I was enjoying the facilities (wooden outhouse) I read a sign that informed me there is free camping around the lake with the assumption ‘what you bring in you must take out’. I haven’t been there when people have been camping (never been there July or August). On the drive to Enid Lake you pass Wilmer Lake, I saw people fishing and there appears to be some pull offs that you could have a picnic from. Below are some details to help you check out Enid Lake.

Location: Columbia Valley, British Columbia. 15 minute drive from Invermere. Trail head is at the left side of the parking lot and is marked with a hiking sign.

Driving Directions: From Invermere turn onto Panorama Drive, cross Toby Creek and take you immediate right towards Wilmer. Follow the road for 3.5km, turn right onto Main Ave in Wilmer. Take the second left onto Park Street, follow until name changes to Bruce Creek Forest Service Road. The road turns from paved to gravel, turn right from the pavements at the Y and drive about 500m to Enid Lake Recreation Site. (Or just google map it!)

Trail description: 2.5km, no elevation gain. An easy, wide trail circles the lake offering views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Facilities: Outhouse, picnic tables, small dock, beach, camping

3

Grassi Lakes Trail Family Hike - Beginner Experience

by CaptainCodeman in

(pictures below).

spring seemed to arrive early in alberta this year after a relatively mild winter and we were already enjoying clear blue skies and hot sunny days in early april.

so it wasn't surprising to hear that our keen-outdoor loving friends wanted to go back to the mountains to hike immediately after putting away their skis for the season and they invited us to go along with them.. we're much less of an outdoor family (but trying to get out more often) and normally the prospect of going on a hike with much younger, fitter and more experienced hikers would be a little intimidating.

Gwen

Sounds like a fun day out - this is an easy to access great hike for anyone! Be prepared to battle the crowds on a summer weekend. If you like to get out for evening hikes during the work week this one is great to go to. With the hike being in Canmore it's a great one to do then go for lunch or dinner in town.

There use to be a trail from above Grassi Lakes that climbers would use to access the area but as far as I know it's still closed due to poor trail conditions.

Grassi Lakes is a very popular climbing destination, again it's so close to Canmore and fairly easy to access (hike in same way you do the actual hike). Amazing views from much of the sport climbing area. You can see Grassi Lakes in these pictures.

If your a climber and want details on routes check out one of many climbing sites such as https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/canada/grassi-lakes.

5

Dog Gear for Outdoor Activities

by Pow Momma in

outdoor dog gear?

what dogs need gear?.

not necessarily but i have picked up items over the years that have fallen apart and others that have worked great.

Gwen

Ruffwear seems to be a common outdoor dog gear you can get in many non-box pet stores. Here's a picture of the Ruffwear backpack. It has tons of room - I've never filled it. I put dog food on one side, small water and bowl on other to balance weight. I carry two zip lock baggies so I can split the food at any point on a trip to help balance the bag. If the bag is too heavy on one side it will slide down a little.

4

Early Spring Season Hike by Calgary, Alberta - Mt Yamnkuska

by Pow Momma in

the snow is melting, the long john’s have been stored away and i’m ready for some hiking!

or at least attempt some hikes in the snow covered mountains.

it’s always a bit of a struggle to find places to hike early spring and it something i often hear people asking about.

Gwen

Another early season hike is Ha Ling Peak by Canmore. It's a very popular hike and is often used by trail runners as well (crazy people). Park at Goat Creek Day Use Area and cross the road to the hike. It's an obvious trail. It's mostly switch backs with some scree scramble towards the summit. It has great views and is a very good leg workout for the short distance - around 5/6km return! Expect it to take around 3 hours because of the elevation, over 700m! It is considered a more challenging hike so work your way up if you are new to hiking, or try it out and turn back if you have had enough!

Beginner Downhill Biking

by Gwen in

downhill mountain biking is awesome!

i'm just saying that in case you are thinking of trying it.

i went to panorama "ski" resort in british columbia a few times and really enjoyed it.

Gwen

Downhill mountain biking is awesome! I'm just saying that in case you are thinking of trying it. I went to Panorama "Ski" Resort in British Columbia a few times and really enjoyed it. You buy a lift ticket, go to the chair lift, lifties help you load your bike onto the chair lift and remove your bike at the top, then you get to bike down and do it again! I do not really enjoy x-country biking (call me lazy) but really enjoyed down hill biking.

I used my Kona Dawg bike which is full suspension and worked great. I can't imagine not having full suspension for downhill. I bought a full face helmet, shin and elbow guards. I use shin pads often when I'm x-country biking since I'm a clutz and bruise my legs lots (yes I don't love x-country biking but still enjoy it as a way of getting outside).

I did mostly green bike trails with a few blue. Bike trails are marked the same way downhill skiing is with green being easiest, blue moderate and black difficult. I saw deer and a grizzly while biking! Keep your eyes ahead on the trail and not just down! The person I was with almost ran into the grizzly on his bike and managed to stop, tell me to stop and we walked our bikes to a clearing and just road directly down not on a tail (little freaked out). The grizzly seemed just as startled and continued on its way but of course the grizzly went directly down the bike path which is why we got off it.

Hope to check out some other places if anyone has recommendations, I'm likely a beginner for a while...maybe not though :).

1

Huts that are dog friendly

by Gwen in

i live in western canada just got a dog and am looking for huts that i can hike to and stay overnight that allow dogs.

alpine club of canada doesn't allow dogs and i understand why but i've heard some huts do.

any suggestions?

Gwen

I live in western Canada just got a dog and am looking for huts that I can hike to and stay overnight that allow dogs. Alpine Club of Canada doesn't allow dogs and I understand why but I've heard some huts do. Any suggestions?

2

First Time Sport Climbing

by Pow Momma in

i tried many outdoports for the first time in my twenties and once i found skiing i was sure no other activity was going to top my love of skiing.

then i tried sport climbing.

i largely contribute my love of mountain climbing to being able to do it in my backyard - bow valley, squamish and other wonders of western canada..

Gwen

Where did you purchase your climbing gear and did you find the store helpful?