Calgary, Rockies, Drumheller, Waterton

Picked up our rental car & headed off to Minnewanka Lake & Stewart Canyon (very picturesque) then the more scenic Highway 1A toward Calgary.

Lake Minnewanka in smoke haze

The smoke haze continues to be heavy with the fires in Washington State still out of control & other fires in Montana & California. Rain is needed badly. Gradually left the bigger mountains behind as we entered large areas of meadow & some farms in more rolling hills as we approached Calgary.

Canmore near Calgary

Some newer housing estates on the outskirts of Calgary filled a few hillsides & spoiled the views. Will be spending a few days here with friends, Guy & Paul , whom we met on the Mont Blanc walk a few years ago. We were made very welcome by Guy, Paul & Maya the dog & enjoyed a few local beers, wine & BBQ salmon for dinner.
Started the next day with a walk with Paul (Guy had to work) to Nihahi Ridge above the Elbow River - a steep climb (8kms & a rise of 350 metres). Nice scenery but the smoke haze still covers much of the view which should include rows of mountain ranges. A pleasant walk anyway. Then back for caribou dinner with Guy & Paul.

Nihahi Ridge (there are rows of mountains behind the smoke)

Anne & I headed into the big smoke of Calgary (it really was very smoky) the next day to see the sites. Highlight's included: Prince's Island Park on the Bow River, Peace Bridge, Calgary Curling Club, Thi Thi Sub's for lunch (yummy Vietnamese food in a bread roll) & Plus 15 Walkway (an above ground walkway which meanders through buildings & across streets throughout the city - so you don't have to go outdoors in winter (minus 40 degrees) to get around).
Next day, with the smoke haze easing we went on a stunning walk to the top of Tent Ridge in nearby Kananaskis Country - a tough climb (11km with 780 mtrs elevation gain) with strong gusty winds  at the top (thought we'd be blown off the ridge) but well worth it for the amazing views. Even the drive was great & finished with a beer whilst looking at the 3 sisters in Canmore.

View from Tent Ridge walk

Paul & Anne climbing Tent Ridge

Descending Tent Ridge (that's us over there)

Our next stop was the fascinating town of Drumheller out on the prairie (or 'badlands') east of Calgary. For the first time we are seeing no mountains?

Farmland east of Calgary

They have found many dinosaur fossils in the area which has led to dinosaur statues on every corner, shop & house & several dinosaur museums. The town is in a canyon created by the Red Deer River which has carved many amazing shapes & 'hoodoos' in the surrounding valleys. Horseshoe & Horsethief Canyons' both dropped abruptly from the surrounding prairie into amazing contorted valleys. The area also supports farming, coal mining & oil drilling.

Horseshoe Canyon

The Hoodoos

After saying goodbye to Guy & Paul we headed south to Waterton Lakes National Park. Another beautiful drive through rolling green farmland with huge mountains as a backdrop - some threatening clouds but no smoke. Hooray!
After a night of strong blustery winds we awoke to even stronger winds with gusts to 120kph (at least no smoke). The Lake was full of white cap's & waves & mist stirred up by the wind - quite spectacular! Checked out Cameron Falls then headed out for a few easy walks at Lake Cameron & Red Rock Canyon. A total of about 8kms but not too many hills. We saw 3 separate bears along the way today which was great.

Red Rock Canyon

Winds eased but clouds building with some light rain - but being hardy souls we headed out on a 10.4km walk with elevation gain of 460m to Bertha Lake. Another magnificent walk with views back over Waterton Lakes, some beautiful forest & waterfalls. Bertha Lake was very pretty but the wind had again increased & rain started so we headed back down.

view of Waterton Lakes from Bertha Lake walk

Bertha Lake walk

In the afternoon we took a leisurely & beautiful 2 hr cruise on Lake Waterton to Goat Haunt on the US side of the Lake. Very relaxed custom post but you need a passport etc to continue along any of the hiking tracks past here.

View from Goat Haunt

So ends another great day.