Grassi Lakes Hike

Have you ever seen a lake this pretty? Seriously! That water is ridiculous! It's like something from a dream or at the very least some corner of the Caribbean Sea! I can't beleive that this place is a five minute drive and a short hike from our house! I've seen some amazingly colourful lakes in this part of the world but the two lakes that make up Grassi Lakes take the prize for being this vibrant and crazily clear!

To reach the lakes you have to hike a bit but it's totally doable even for non-hardcore hikers like us. There are even two options, the easy route or the more difficult route. We had heard that the easy route is manageable with a rugged stroller but apparently it doesn't have the fantastic views of the more difficult option. Neil was carrying Bel in the backpack and we felt brave so after a little discussion we opted for the more difficult trail. And off we set.

 I will apologize now for Seb's Angry Bird ensemble (yes, sweat pants and matching hoody). We thank Nana for that outfit and as much as I think it looks, well, how can I say it? Awful.  He really does love it and who am I to tell him how to dress?  

This time of year wildflowers are beginning to pop up and we spotted quite a few of these beautiful Calypso Orchids, otherwise known as Fairy Slippers. I think Neil, who was weighed down with the weight of a small goat on his back, was getting fed up with me stopping every few paces, shouting "oooh pretty!" and crouching down to take yet more photos! Goodness knows how he'll cope with me when the wildflowers are at their peak in the height of the summer :)

As the trail climbed it became narrower and rockier with a few little creeks crossing our path that soaked our shoes. Then we came to a steep drop off to the left and a stunning view of Canmore below. Seb, having been the number one advocate for taking the more difficult route, wasn't too bothered by the cliff edge and continued to lead the way all the while checking in and asking us "do you think it's tricky yet?" swiftly followed by his assurance that he wasn't finding it tricky at all :)

 Angry birds ruin this photo :)

We could hear the falls from far away and the gradual increase in their volume was quite the build up to the moment they finally came into view. 

After the falls is where you really get to the bit that makes it more difficult. A steep and windy rocky ascent with a pretty nasty drop off to one side. There are rock steps of sorts in places but they are very uneven and I wouldn't have liked Bel to be unrestrained at that particular patch. Seb impressively took it all in his stride and hiked onward up toward the lakes and the promise of a spot to sit and eat snacks :)

By this point I had made him remove one item of Angry Birdness in an attempt to get better photos :) I love this one below! It sums up his attitude that day...Seb the adventurer! 

After about an hour of hiking we rounded the last corner, passed a rushing creek and found ourselves at the bottom of the lower lake. 

 I don't really need to say it because you can quite clearly see that the lakes are stunningly beautiful. Both are fairly small but crystal clear and gleaming in their turquoise, aqua and almost neon green gloriousness!

 The cliff face overlooking the upper lake is a popular spot for climbers and I was impressed and terrified in equal measure watching them do their stuff. 

 Seb was a little more inspired and decided to free climb up to the nearest cave despite my desperate cries of "Get the heck off the rocks!" and "Don't you dare go in that cave!" 

After a few hair-raising moments he came back down and we sat by the lakes edge to snaffle our trail mix and sandwiches and marvel at the colour, clarity and absolute gorgeousness that lay before us. 

After snacking and taking it all in we walked the trail around the lakes then headed back down the trail, opting again for the more difficult option which as it turns out is even more more difficult down hill.

Bel was beginning to get tired as we started to head down which is kind of ironic seeing as she did the least work out of all of us!

After the treacherous steep and rocky bit we made good time on the way down stopping only to admire the view and say hello to a friendly chipmonk.

 Towards the end of the trail the forest floor is covered in juniper. I'm quite surprised there isn't a gin factory in town!

Despite or maybe because of all the jiggling Bel was fast asleep by the time we reached the car.