Grassi Lakes Trail Treasure Hunting

By Richard White, September 2, 2013

Today we did something we don't do very often - we hiked in the mountains. For us hiking is almost always in the city, the closest we get to nature normally is walking along the Bow River near our house or maybe we might venture to Glenmore Reservoir for a walk with friends.

However, an invite from friends to come out to Canmore for our regular first Sunday dinner and hike the next day was something we couldn't refuse.

After a hearty breakfast, a couple of cups of coffee, water bottle filled and sandwiches made we headed out and were on the trail by 10 am. Lucky for us as who knew how busy the trail would get by noon hour.

No we didn't climb this mountain but we found people who were climbing up rock faces like this one.  It was a beautiful day in Rockies. — No we didn't climb this mountain but we found people who were climbing up rock faces like this one. It was a beautiful day in Rockies.

Grassi Lakes was designated as one of Alberta's Special Places in 2000. It is named after Lawrence Grassi who emigrated to Canmore in 1912. While he worked in the coal minds his real love was mountain climbing. He is said to have been the first person to climb Mount Assiniboine in 1925. He was an avid trail builder, moving huge stones single-handley to construct steps, bridges or simple stepping stones. Grassi Lake trail is his signature mountain trail and evidence of his work can be found in several places along the trail.

A view of the trail and one of the rustic benches along the way.  It is hard to imagine how Lawrence Grassi could have envision a trail up to the lakes through the virgin forrest a 100 years ago. Let alone build it! — A view of the trail and one of the rustic benches along the way. It is hard to imagine how Lawrence Grassi could have envision a trail up to the lakes through the virgin forrest a 100 years ago. Let alone build it!

Grassi Lakes trail is a moderate walk with a 250 meter elevation gain and a round trip of 3.8 km. Along the route you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Bow River valley at Canmore and the Canadian Rockies. At the top are two colourful crystal clear lakes which make a great place for a picnic.

The rock cliffs surrounding the upper lake is a very popular spot for rock climbing which is fun and amazing to watch. A short scramble above the upper lake takes you to a short canyon hike and a very close look at two genuine petroglyphs on a large boulder.

I have to admit you don't get this kind of scenery or animation walking along the Bow River.

A view of the lower lake takes your breath away. It is magical, surreal and enchanting all at the same time. You can see why this was named an Alberta Special Place in 2000.  What took them so long? — A view of the lower lake takes your breath away. It is magical, surreal and enchanting all at the same time. You can see why this was named an Alberta Special Place in 2000. What took them so long?

A postcard view of the upper Grassi Lake with its crystal clear aquamarine colour water.  Yes it looks surreal. — A postcard view of the upper Grassi Lake with its crystal clear aquamarine colour water. Yes it looks surreal.

A group of rock climbers at the upper Grassi Lake.  This was just one of about five or six groups showing off their death defying skills. — A group of rock climbers at the upper Grassi Lake. This was just one of about five or six groups showing off their death defying skills.

The start of the trail up the canyon to the top.

This is the better of the two petroglyph images.  There was lots of speculation about how it got there and who did it by the people looking at it.  To me it looks like a drum dancer. — This is the better of the two petroglyph images. There was lots of speculation about how it got there and who did it by the people looking at it. To me it looks like a drum dancer.

We were lucky we got to top before the lunch crowd as the trail was extremely busy as we descended. People and dogs of all shapes and sizes where heading up as we headed down. On the way up I had identified a piece of weathered wood that I thought would make a great addition for the garden back home. I don't think my hiking companions thought I would carry it out - wrong. I knew where it was and I knew how to carry it out. I got lots of funny looks and comments as I headed down with the wood wrapped around my head, but it was worth it. I have to have a great souvenir of the day. I love to get a souvenir from each and every trip we take. I am addicted to the "thrill of the hunt."