As the winter lingers on, why not go for Grotto by hiking the beautiful Grotto Canyon Trail? On this winter hike, discover waterfalls frozen in time, snow-crested peaks, and a peace you will only find in the wintertime.
First, follow the trail to enter Grotto Canyon, which lies about 0.5 km from the trailhead. Here, you will walk on water, the frozen kind if it is cold enough, or the slushy kind if it is warming. As the canyon curves, you will meet many a waterfall towering overhead, frozen in mid-flow.
Continue on and eventually a cave will appear atop a hill on your left. If you are up for the challenge, sprint up to the cave. I say sprint because this will (hopefully) give you enough momentum to not slide down with each step up. Crampons would be quite helpful here as well.
Now, coming down from the cave is another story. The slow way is to crawl down, preferably feet first. The faster and far more amusing way is to slide down. Simply lie down and push off. Be sure to only slide down when there is a nice cushion of snow over the rocks, otherwise it will be a bumpy ride.
After the cave, if you are itching for more adventure, then follow the canyon to its end. Here, the snow may be thicker and rocks may spring up out of nowhere. Each step is a mystery as you never know how deep the snow is. Sometimes it is knee deep, while other times it is hip deep. Beware of shortcuts up the mountainside, as you may find yourself clambering and sliding down rocky slopes (not quite as comfortable as snowy slopes). All in all, following the path of the canyon will likely be the surest way to reach the end.
At the end, simply follow the canyon back the way you came to return. Luckily, you will now have your snowy footsteps to follow in.
Note: Distances, elevations, and durations are approximate.
Grotto Canyon Trail is fairly easy though this will depend on your fitness. Past the cave, the trek becomes a bit more challenging, particularly with the snow. However, if you are not too short and do not mind a bit of snow in the boots, then you should have no issues. Crampons are highly recommended to prevent any slipping and sliding, and it is advisable to bring a spare pair of socks and mittens.
Go for Grotto this winter! Luckily, Alberta winters are long and you will have plenty of time to finish this beautiful winter hike. Winter hiking is far more peaceful and far less dusty than summer hiking, but be sure to bundle up against the cold.
Here was a sneak peek at Grotto Canyon. Keep an eye out for more swooping out of the sky.
I hope you enjoy, and I look forward to sharing more unofficial wonders with you. Happy hiking!
The Unofficial Florence
2 Comments
Beautiful pictures, Florence! I wonder what Grotto would look like in spring, now that the snow is *almost* gone. Would it also be quite dusty in spring?
Thanks so much, Audrey! I have not been there during the spring, but I would imagine it could be quite muddy at first with all the snow melting and then become quite dusty! That’s one of the things I like about winter hiking – it’s far less dusty! Feel free to reach out with any other questions.