I was all in when a friend suggested a rip up Mount Lawrence Grassi. Never mind that I had never heard of the peak. Quite frankly I just wanted someone to suggest something new because I was all out. Besides I love exploring new-to-me peaks.
We got an early start even though the out-and-back south of Canmore was only 11 kilometres (with an elevation gain of about 1,000+ metres). I think we were both in the mood for something short but still challenging with solid views.
We parked in this little parking near Goat Creek Pond just outside of Canmore on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail. We ran along the fire road adjacent to the Goat Creek for just under 3 kilometres before we reached the cairn marking the start of the trail.
We crossed a creek bed before spending the next couple of kilometres on the well-marked trail in the trees. Tight little switchbacks kept us on our toes as we quickly gained elevation. It reminded us both of Prairie mountain but with more of a defined trail. (Funny how we compare all short, steep climbs to Prairie mountain).
It was eerie quiet when we moved through the trees. Surprisingly we didn’t see anyone on the trail until we were on our way down later that morning. The little parking area had also filled with vehicles too.
After breaking through the uneventful tree line, we were rewarded with views of Canmore and the surrounding mountains. Also rewarded with scree and loose rock, we learned quickly that little rocks on big rocks can be a messy hazard. Thankfully there was minimal sliding or calls for rescue.
After we got through the sketchy scree, we climbed over some big slabs of rocks. My amazing Peregrine 12 did not disappoint. They kept me upright and gliding over the boulders. The grip on these shoes are freaking amazing.
There’s not a lot more to say about Mount Lawrence Grassi. The grind to the summit is perfect for those days you just want to get out of the city and stand on top of a mountain. We ate a quick snack before heading down. The wind was picking up and we were cold.
Coming down did require a little more concentration because it would have been so easy to slip on the sketchy scree or the pebbles on the big rocks. Thankfully we did not slip but I managed to slide down in the trees after catching my foot on a root. Good times.
I had to search the origins of the name – the peak is named for Lawrence Grassi, an Italian miner who emigrated to Canada in 1912, according to Wikipedia. He was a highly-respected climbing guide who built many trails in the Canmore area. (Ever hear of Grass Lakes? Named after him too.)