You only have to glance at the parking lot, to see that the Grassi Lakes Trail is one of the most popular places to hike in Canmore. As I made my return from Spray Lake Reservoir to Canmore, I decided to check out the trail — but it wasn’t as thrilling as I had hoped.
In the picture above, you can see more than just a lot of cars. Take a look at the mountains: on the right, you can see a road carved out of the mountainside. This is the dirt road that eventually leads to Spray Lake Reservoir. You’ll also notice a pipeline running down the hillside — it funnels water down the hill to a power plant. Next to the pipeline, there’s a waterfall that’s the centerpiece of the Grassi Lakes Trail.
The Grassi Lakes Trial isn’t terribly long or terribly steep. There are two paths — an easy one (a jeep road) and a rougher, steeper one (seen here). I chose the more challenging route, but it was still an easy hike. Most of the way, the trail was surrounded by trees, so the views weren’t spectacular…
… until shortly after passing this distinctively curved tree. Moments later…
… a window opened up, revealing the town’s reservoir (this is the lower lake, filled with water that passed down the pipeline and through the power plant).
A short distance further, and the view improved again. At this spot along the trail, I could clearly see the power plant, as well as the city of Canmore in the distance. Up ahead…
… was the waterfall. There wasn’t a great place to take a picture, though — thanks to trees in the foreground, power lines overhead, and the poor position of the sun (that’s right, the sun did come out for just a moment).
After the waterfall viewpoint, the trail became a whole lot steeper, as it climbed up the hill towards the top of the waterfall. At first, I started to trudge along, but then I realized where I was going. The Grassi Lakes Trail ends at the reservoir along the dirt road — where I had just been, less than an hour earlier. All that effort to get to the top of the hill wouldn’t have meant a thing — I wasn’t going to see anything new if I continued. So, I turned around and backtracked to the car, somewhat disappointed that the trail hadn’t led somewhere more exciting.
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