This rare chance to walk in the canyon only comes a few months a year! Another family-friendly option, the hike is mostly flat and only takes about two hours round trip. These pictographs are believed to have been drawn by Hopi visitors to the area 500-1,300 years ago1. The views are amazing while you walk on a frozen creek. The same tour under the stars. Follow that road west until you reach the Grotto Trail pull-off, which will be on your right. The symbols have many possible meanings and origins and you will learn more about First Nation history in the Bow Valley. The trailhead is well marked and follow the trail until the clearing at Grotto Creek. At the waterfalls you can watch ice climbers putting on a show and kids will have fun on the giant ice slide. Traction aids and headlamps are attached before we start our evening adventure. A post shared by Cri (@cri_kro) on Jan 17, 2019 at 6:40am PST. Grotto Canyon ice walk near Canmore is a mesmerizing winter wonderland leading to stunning ice falls. Copyright © 2013 - 2020 Play Outside Guide. The Grotto Canyon is located just ten minutes east of the town of Canmore, Alberta. If the Grotto Canyon parking lot is full, another fun trail is just 5 minutes down the highway. Where else can you hike on a frozen creek to ancient pictographs and ice falls? February 4, 2018 June 3, 2019 Shawn Norris Leave a comment June 3, 2019 Shawn Norris Leave a comment Only go on the ice if it is frozen and there is no risk of sudden melting and flooding. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Trip Log. You might even spot ice climbers scaling the frozen waterfalls in the canyon. Simply named The Grotto, this narrow bolder-filled canyon with small talus caves covering a creek in the mountains makes a fun destination for a short hike. Mid-December until Mid-March are good times to go, however periods of warm weather may melt the ice and make conditions unsafe. Hike on a frozen creek, and explore surreal rock formations and indigenous wall art on this small-group tour through Grotto Canyon. Our guided ice walk takes you along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls all the way to the iconic frozen upper falls, with airy views into the icy gorge below. (2001, June 29) The Globe and Mail. In addition, the … The Grotto Canyon hike can be done in winter if you have appropriate gear and training. There is a big rock at the start of the ice hike that you can easily climb over (see above), or you can go around to the right. You'll be given cleats or spikes to walk… Grotto Canyon, Canmore: Address, Grotto Canyon Reviews: 4.5/5. In addition, the icy adventure is less than an hour drive west of Calgary. There are some picnic tables overlooking the pond at the parking lot. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This adventure hike takes you up the canyon about 1 mile to the base of the first fall set, Moss Grotto/Ribbon Rock Falls, then over the ridge to the top of that fall, and to the base of the second large fall, Grand Chasm Falls. Just make sure it’s, you know, actually frozen before attempting that walk. This year with COVID, it’s particularly busy as it’s such a fun outing for all ages. Walton, Dawn. Winter hiking on the Grotto Canyon trail, is a family friendly outing with stunning scenery. It is amazing to think the Hopi travelled this far north so long ago! And you get to keep your headlamp after. Accept Read More, Grotto Canyon: A beautiful canyon ice walk near Canmore, Dreaming of summer days... and camping!! These, We had so much fun checking out #ChinookBlast toni, Traction Devices for Winter Walks and Hikes, www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/alberta-drawings-support-ancient-myth/article534019/. Trekking poles recommended. Your guide provides you with poles and ice … Retrieved from www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/alberta-drawings-support-ancient-myth/article534019/. Both breathtaking and majestic, Grotto Canyon is an easy ice walk that can be done with families or soloing. Rubio Canyon is famous for its waterfalls, and justifiably so. When the seasonal temperature drops the water surface freezes solid. I was born in the mountains (where the wild things are) and grew up granola. Both breathtaking and majestic, Grotto Canyon is an easy ice walk that can be done with families or soloing. This allows you to walk on the creek bed that winds through the canyons winter wonderland. Parks Canada visitor guidelines are available here. It is located beside aptly named Grotto Canyon pond, and resides in the foothills of Mount Fable. Karen Ung is a travel writer and blogger, and frequent guest on CBC Radio. Grotto Canyon Trail. 8, Alberta, Canada that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Ice … On the last turn before the falls, keep your eyes to the left about 4-6 feet off the ground, and look for reddish markings on the canyon wall. In winter, we are usually cross country skiing or ice skating. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch ice climbers in action! Grotto Canyon Pictographs (Winter) Trip Log. Grotto Canyon is one of the best ice walks near Calgary. With a short approach, this easy trail is sure to become a family favorite. This is one part of Alberta that is only accessible after a deep freeze. To get there, you just drive west on Highway 1, and then take exit 114 onto Bow Valley Trail. I started this blog in 2013 to share our outdoor adventures and travel stories, and help readers get outside and have fun! Our Edmonton readers will have a bit longer of a trip (at around four hours) by first making the three hour drive down to Calgary then following the instructions above. It starts off on a small narrow path that leads you through the forest before the trail widens and allows you to walk … From the Circle X Ranch Visitor Center in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on the west side of Malibu, it is 3-mile round trip to the Grotto with 475 feet of elevation loss. Grotto Canyon: Ice walk - See 204 traveler reviews, 218 candid photos, and great deals for Canmore, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Set out early from behind the Mount Royal Hotel on Banff Avenue to the Grotto Canyon for your 2.6-mile (4.2-kilometer) hike. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk – one of the ice walks in Alberta that is sometimes like a skating rink The trailhead for the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk is only about an hour’s drive from Calgary. We booked the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk with Discover Banff and to our delight, we had Anik as our guide again. COVID-19 still presents a very real and dangerous threat to public health. Winter hiking on the Grotto Canyon trail, is a family friendly outing with stunning scenery. While public access to Johnston Canyon is currently restricted, our tours are still running. After that, it’s easy going with traction devices on your feet! It's approximately a 2 km hike to reach the set of twin waterfalls at the end of the "fun part" of the Grotto Canyon hike. Dramatic canyon walls, ice slides and ancient pictographs are just some of the highlights of the Grotto Canyon ice walk, located in the shadow of Grotto Mountain by scenic Bow Valley Provincial Park near Canmore. A large sign with "Grotto Creek Trail" painted on the wood makes it easy to spot. The Grotto Canyon Icewalk is 4.2km (2.6 miles) and has an elevation of 100 metres (328 feet), with a total walking time of 2 – 2.5 hours. Always remember to leave no trace, pack out what you pack in, stick to designated trails, and refrain from feeding wildlife — and please note that irresponsibly taken selfies (even if they look great for the ‘gram) can be fatal. Grotto Canyon Pictographs (Winter) Trip Log. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Experience - Private Tour. Ideal for adventurers of all ages and experience levels, ice walks range in duration from 2.5-4hrs and allow you to safely traverse the sturdy walkway while enjoying the splendour of the lower and upper falls, grottos and more. Grotto Canyon ice-walk explores a frozen creek bed that leads to stunning frozen waterfalls. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk. ), and some pictographs on the rock walls that date back hundreds of years. Where else can you hike on a frozen creek to ancient pictographs and ice falls? You can find the trailhead on the west side of the parking lot. The Grotto Canyon ice walk (near Canmore) takes you through a frozen creekbed to pictographs and stunning icefalls! You’ll find the Grotto Canyon ice walk trailhead at the parking lot near Grotto Mountain Pond. The Grotto creek flows down from the mountains into the narrow valley and twisting canyon. For more details, please read Grotto Canyon Ice Hike. Grotto Canyon Trail is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Municipal District of Bighorn No. Plus, watch for ice climbers scaling the frozen waterfalls. The Grotto Canyon ice walk is located between Canmore and Exshaw in a unique part of Bow Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis. Once we arrived at Grotto Canyon parking lot, we were provided with ice cleats and an adjustable hiking pole. Alberta Explore Hike Winter. The trail to the bench climbs gently upward through forest, with some open areas along the power lines. Grotto Canyon is an incredibly easy hike year-round! As the winter progresses, there will likely be more ice, and when it's on a slope, it could You’ll be provided with ice cleats that will be attached to your boots that will prevent you from slipping on the ice. You do walk on a frozen stream bed, and the ice cleats do provide very good traction on the ice. Along with a picturesque river that has been frozen in time, Grotto Canyon offers a five-kilometre-roundtrip hike, a frozen waterfall (keep an eye out for ice climbers! A post shared by Linh • Alberta • Canada (@linhyrdskynyrd), A post shared by Steven Lin (@steven.m.lin). While much of Alberta’s outdoors have been reopened to visitors, it is recommended to plan ahead, check local restrictions and current public health measures, and avoid any areas that may be too crowded. You may have heard her summer Alberta Road Trips column (2017-2019) or seen her on CBC's Gem streaming TV! Thankfully, Alberta is no stranger to below freezing temperatures, which means that the ice walk at Grotto Canyon is accessible for a good chunk of the year. Grotto Canyon is only one hour away from downtown Calgary, making it one of the most accessible Rocky Mountain day trips there is! Walk on a frozen creek through Grotto Canyon past unusual rock formations, ancient Native rock art, and icefalls. Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour covers the area’s rich history, unique geology, and ancient native pictographs. This time we go on a excellent ice walk in Grotto Canyon near Canmore, AB! Located in the shadow of Grotto Mountain by scenic Bow Valley Provincial Park, the trailhead accesses Grotto Mountain Pond, which is a great picnic spot and also popular for fishing and climbing. Grotto Canyon is one of the best ice walks near Calgary. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Trip Log. It’s a tricky climb to the falls and even more treacherous climb down unless you have the right gear and experience (a fellow hiker wearing ice cleats slipped there and needed 6 stitches). You’ll find the Grotto Canyon ice walk trailhead at the parking lot near Grotto Mountain Pond. ️ I'l, Guess where we went today?! This private tour begins with a Canadian Rockies Experience guide meeting you at your accommodations. Picked up from your accommodations in a luxury SUV, your Canadian Rockies Experience begins. A map showing Grotto Canyon’s location (Google Maps), A post shared by Steven Lin (@steven.m.lin) on Jan 13, 2018 at 3:28pm PST. For many, the highlight of the Grotto Canyon Icewalk is the ancient native pictographs, that are easily missed by the general public. Daily Hive is a Canadian-born online news source, established in 2008, that creates compelling, hyperlocal content. Pack microspikes for this trail as you will be walking on solid ice (unless it has been covered with snow). The canyon walls sweep dramatically upward on either side, and get higher the further you go into the canyon – about 50 metres high in some places – and smooth ice gleams below your feet. Alberta Drawings Support Ancient Myth. Expect to walk one kilometre on a dirt trail and 900 metres on a frozen creek to reach His & Hers ice falls. Grotto Canyon is located about 10-15 minutes from Canmore. Thankfully, Alberta is no stranger to below freezing temperatures, which means that the ice walk at Grotto Canyon is accessible for a good chunk of the year. • Day or night: What's cooler than a daytime guided ice walk through canyons? After this point, the canyon opens up and it's more just flat walking up a creek bed. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. A large sign with "Grotto Creek Trail" painted on the wood makes it easy to spot. Hot beverages and locally baked croissants are served by your guide as you are driven to the trail head. Grotto Canyon: Ice walk - See 204 traveler reviews, 218 candid photos, and great deals for Canmore, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Please do not touch the pictographs, so they may be enjoyed by other visitors for many years to come (abrasion and oils on our skin can damage the ochre paintings). With a short approach, this easy trail is sure to become a family favorite. This is a great place for a picnic. Grotto Canyon freezes over in the winter, and that means ice. The Grotto creek flows down from the mountains into the narrow valley and twisting canyon. A post shared by Cri (@cri_kro) on Jan 14, 2019 at 6:25am PST, A post shared by Δℍlч мαᖇㄖ千ᗴг (@mauerhofera), A post shared by B r i t t y (@britty_erin), A post shared by Ambrose University (@auclimbing_outdoors), Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive content, contests, and perks direct to you. Canada ; Alberta ; ... All reviews ice cleats winter hike creek bed ice climbers frozen river great hike km walk small waterfall foot wear bit challenging fun walk easy hike rock walls steep rock rock face parking lot canmore area pictographs hoodoos plants trail icicles. While they eventually settled in what is now Arizona, paintings of the Kokapelli, the Flute Player (a symbol unique to the Hopi) have been found down east and in Alberta, including Grotto Canyon! The bench is a good place to put on traction devices (we recommend microspikes for this trail). Distance: 3.8 km round tripElevation Gain: ~100 metresTrailhead: Grotto Lake Parking Lot (on Highway 1A)Stroller Friendly? Strolling over the frozen river will make you wish you’d brought your ice skates, but it makes for a surreal experience nonetheless. The views are amazing while you walk on a frozen creek. This time we go on a excellent ice walk in Grotto Canyon near Canmore, AB! The Grotto Canyon is located just ten minutes east of the town of Canmore, Alberta. The ice cleats were like sandals that strap over your shoes with studs at the bottom. Similar to the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk in Banff National Park, the Grotto Canyon ice walk follows a frozen creek bed deep between tall canyon walls to get up close to frozen waterfalls, ice climbing opportunities, and even ancient pictographs! When the seasonal temperature drops the water surface freezes solid. Expect to walk one kilometre on a dirt trail and 900 metres on a frozen creek to reach His & Hers ice falls. 8, Alberta, Canada that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from Albertaparks.ca and AdventureSmart. It starts off on a small narrow path that leads you through the forest before the trail widens and allows you to walk … Take the well signed Grotto Creek Trail, past the Baymag plant, until you come to a park bench overlooking the creekbed. Grotto Canyon is located about 10-15 minutes from Canmore. The twin ice falls, “His” and “Hers,” are just past the pictographs. You'll be given cleats or spikes to walk… Privacy Policy. Discover this hidden gem and learn local and ancient history on this experience. There was some gr, When you're camped lakeside, you can catch more su, Looking forward to hiking up mountains and around, Love the balloons by @calgaryparty50 !! The history of the rock art and the geology of the mountains are at your fingertips as your guide shares stories about their mystery. You can find the trailhead on the west side of the parking lot. Masks are required as … If you continue upstream (left), there is a big cave on the west side of the trail. Adults could complete the hike in 1-1.5 hours, but why rush? A relatively easy walk ensues to reach the frozen creek bed. From Calgary, take Highway 1 to the Seebe exit, get on to Highway 1A and continue 11 kilometres to Grotto Pond Day Use Area, Bow Valley Provincial Park. You can find the trailhead on the west side of the parking lot. Grotto Canyon is located just east of Canmore along Bow Valley Trail. From there, just follow the creek/canyon until you come to the ice… However, the Grotto Canyon ice walk, done with the right gear (see the last section of this article), is an easy hike on a frozen creek to spectacular ice falls. With impressive mountain views, dramatic canyons and ancient pictographs, the Grotto Canyon ice walk is one of the best family-friendly winter hikes near Canmore. A post shared by Linh • Alberta • Canada (@linhyrdskynyrd) on Jan 16, 2018 at 2:04pm PST. A few kilometres after the town of Exshaw, turn into the parking lot marked by the Grotto Pond sign. Kananaskis Hiking Guide for the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk. But when I was pregnant and getting extremely tired from anything during the 1st trimester, I had to find some very easy activities. It would be tough to get the stroller into the canyon.Required Equipment: Traction devices are required. Continue north on Highway 1X and take a left at Highway 1A. For your own safety, please make sure you are prepared before heading out on your next adventure. Grotto Canyon Trail is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Municipal District of Bighorn No. • Solo: Bring your own ice cleats to walk the frozen path of Grotto Canyon near Canmore. However, the Grotto Canyon ice walk, done with the right gear (see the last section of this article), is an easy hike on a frozen creek to spectacular ice falls. Your specialist guide explains the unique history and geology of the canyon as you glide past wondrous icefalls in this sublime winter environment. We were there mid-November, and the ice had started to form. Dogs are … There are larger ice falls up the slope to the east (right), but I do not recommend proceeding to those falls unless you are an ice climber. Located just 15 minutes outside of Canmore, AB, the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk is a breathtaking walk along a frozen creek bed, leading to picturesque frozen waterfalls. There were two sections that you needed to cross carefully. The Grotto Canyon ice walk is located between Canmore and Exshaw in a unique part of Bow Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis. Thankfully, Alberta is no stranger to below freezing temperatures, which means that the ice walk at Grotto Canyon is accessible for a good chunk of the year. The first part of the trail is doable with a sports stroller. Once you are geared up, head down into the creekbed. A large sign with "Grotto Creek Trail" painted on the wood makes it easy to spot. Wear your ice grips, and keep an eye out for … Grotto Canyon Evening Ice Walk Experience. A short drive brings you to the trailhead. This icewalk is considered easy, with a few small inclines. Strolling over the frozen river will make you wish you’d brought your ice skates, but it makes for a surreal experience nonetheless. We booked the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk with Discover Banff and to our delight, we had Anik as our guide again. Camping in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan) in... Mockingbird Lookout, Ghost River Wilderness Area, South Lawson Peak (Little Lawson), Kananaskis, The Ice Falls and Caves of Fish Creek Provincial Park, Camping in Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan) in 2021: booking dates, what’s open, and what’s new this year, Five fun things to do in Spray Valley Provincial Park this summer, Glamping at Mount Engadine Lodge in the heart of Kananaskis. DYK you c, Are you getting excited about camping? A large sign with "Grotto Creek Trail" painted on the wood makes it easy to spot. The whole hike took only 2.5 hours including two snack breaks and lots of stops to play in the snow. Hi, I'm Karen. Hike along a frozen creek inside the Canadian Rockies and discover Grotto Canyon’s one-of-a-kind geological features and ice formations. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This allows you to walk on the creek bed that winds through the canyons winter […] Strolling over the frozen river will make you wish you’d brought your ice skates, but it makes for a surreal experience nonetheless. Ancient Hopi legend says that the Hopi peoples split up and travelled in the four directions when they came to America. Although my home is in Calgary, you can usually find me on the trails or road tripping around Alberta. The Grotto Canyon hike is a popular family-friendly hike, but with some slick bits getting over some rocks in places. This is one of the few opportunities to walk on ice in the area. You can find the trailhead on the west side of the parking lot. Distance: 4.2 km round trip Grotto Canyon is a classic winter hike near Calgary that takes you through a frozen creekbed to pictographs and stunning ice falls.