Everyday Urban Trekking in Calgary: Douglas Fir Trail
One of the great things about living in Calgary is you are never more than a few minutes from a park, river, creek, environmental reserve, or green space. We are fortunate to live just a 5-minute walk east to an amazing dog park that offers a spectacular view of Calgary’s ever-changing downtown skyline. Or, we can walk 5 minutes west to another green space that offers a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains with a small environmental reserve.
Sometimes I forget we live in Calgary’s inner-city.
The Look Out!
If we walk 10 minutes south, we are at the Bow River pathway with links to the City’s 1,000+ km urban pathway network. Ten more minutes along the Bow River and we’re at one of Calgary’s hidden gems - the Douglas Fir Trail. It is a little over 4 km circular trail that takes about an hour or two depending on how many stops you make to take photos.
Recently, I decided to check-out the Trail as I hadn’t done it in several years. I was surprised at how challenging it is. Guess walking a golf course 5-days a week doesn’t really get you into shape.
My biggest take away from the experience was how the tall trees, with their extensive root network, cling to the edge of the escarpment at times reminded me of the human backbone and at other times they looked like a network of veins. And yes, how sometimes the roots fail to anchor these grand trees and they fall over, resulting is their slow death.
Yes, walking in nature can be both exhilarating and sobering, quite different than walking in a manicured park or designer street. I also found it was a catalyst for some personal reflection – see Last Word at the end.
One of the many “drunken trees” along the Douglas Fir Trail aka “the drunken forest.” (read on to learn more)
Douglas Fir Trail 101
The Douglas Fir Trail is part of the 169-hectare Edworthy Park, named after Thomas Edworthy, an early landowner in the area. The Trail opened in 1992 as part of the Provincial government’s “Community Facility Enhancement Project” and with the help of 1,000+ volunteer hours.
Because of extremely icy and wet conditions, the trail is closed in winter and early spring. The trail runs up the Bow River’s south bank, a steep densely wooded 200-foot-high escarpment. Natural springs, plus water draining from the communities above result in a very unstable slope. Continued seepage leads to trees leaning at odd angles.
The tipsy condition of many trees has led to an alternative name, the "the drunken forest." The trail offers dramatic views of the Bow River Valley, particularly from the lookout area aka "dead man's drop." You will also walk by a gaping scar on the escarpment, the result of a major slide, a reminder of how unstable the escarpment (nature) is.
Douglas Fir Trees 101
Funny story - Douglas firs are not really fir trees – they are their own genus. There are two varieties of this species - Coast Douglas fir and Rocky Mountain Douglas fir, which are differentiated by their habitats, growth rates and physical characteristics. The coastal variety of Douglas fir trees are massive - much larger than the Rocky Mountain variety found in Alberta. However, the specimens along the trail are a very respectable size—up to seven and one-half feet in diameter. Some trees are about 500 years old and reach a height of 160 feet. Douglas firs require considerable moisture and protection from drying winds, both of which they receive on these north-facing slope. Their bark is deeply furrowed with reddish lines.
Many people are familiar with Douglas firs because they are one of several species used as Christmas trees. Aside from their use as holiday decorations, Douglas firs are a valuable timber resource, being used for furniture, poles, fences, flooring, among other things. Although they are harvested extensively for timber, Douglas firs are widespread and aren’t in danger of extinction.
Years back, Douglas firs were used by Native Americans for building, basketry and medicinal purposes. Ailments that Douglas firs were said to cure were stomach aches, headaches, rheumatism, and the common cold.
Everyday Tourist Tips
There are lots of stairs. I didn’t count them, but I would estimate over 500, so it isn’t stroller, bike, wheelchair or young child friendly.
There are short sections with a steep elevation change and some washed-out areas that can be tricky to navigate. Wear appropriate footwear.
If you want a longer hike you can combine the Douglas Fir Trail with the Quarry Road Trail also on the southside of the Bow River, you can even dip your toes in the Bow River if you wish and watch the hundreds of people floating and paddling along the river.
Bring water.
Best to not to hike after a heavy rainfall.
The easiest climb is from the west entrance to the lookout as the trail is well maintained…but there is still many stairs and significant elevation change.
Parking is available at Edworthy Park on both the north and south sides of the Bow River.
The Trail is easily accessible by bike and walking. There is a bike rack at the west entrance to the trail.
Angels Café is located on the north side of the Edworthy Park pedestrian bridge for anyone wanting to reward themselves with some snacks (perhaps some ice cream) after the trek.
In addition to walking the Douglas Fir Trail, you can also wander along the Bow River where hundreds of people are out enjoying the river. You might even be treated to a CPR train heading to the coast.
Last Word
Walking the Douglas Fir Trail, brought back memories for me of when I was a young teenager and how I’d trek down the steep rocky Niagara Escarpment (known in Hamilton as “the mountain”). It was a rite of passage for young boys when you were brave enough to tackle the secret trail (there was no official name, no signage) leading from Mountain Drive Park at the top, down the steep rocky escarpment to Gage Park at the bottom. Once there we’d headed to the tennis courts to see if we could find tennis balls in the bushes that we’d keep for street hockey in the winter.
I wonder if “conquering” the Douglas Fir Trail is a rite of passage of sorts for Calgary’s youth living nearby?