Running the Icefalls trail in Kananaskis

My alternative title for this blog post was – How not to hate winter.

Okay I don’t really hate winter but it does rank low on my list of favourite seasons. I don’t like being cold (who does?) and Calgary always has its share of -30+ temperatures with the windchill.

I don’t ski (not that I wouldn’t like to try but it’s not in my budget today) or do any winter sports. I just run and hike. It’s the only thing I can do to keep my sanity when the days are shorter and the days are gloomy.

One of the coolest winter hikes that I have been on recently is the unofficial Icefall trail in Kananaskis. It’s generally known has the Green Monster trail because it leads to this giant frozen icefall.

It’s an easy six-kilometre flat out and back on a well-packed trail between awesome canyon walls and some criss-crossing over the Evan-Thomas River. Start at the Evan-Thomas Day Use Area.

But before you reach the Green Monster you will past several other icefalls and cool wintry spots. It was a pretty gloomy morning but the temperature was just right for a nice short run. I could keep my gloves off without getting too cold.

I stopped to chat with a couple of Canmore ice climbers at this one icefall. They were pretty friendly and did not hesitate to answer all my questions about ice climbing. They named all the other icefalls for me including Chantilly and Moonlight.

Truly this one is a winter must. I can’t believe I only heard about it a few weeks ago when a Calgary runner posted about it on her FB page. Not quite a mountain peak but prefect for those days when you just want to chill and embrace the magic of winter.

It’s super flat save for one little section involving chains and a rope for safety. The only tricky part was trying to go up the rock bit with spikes on your shoes. Much easier going up.

The parking lot was about half full when I arrived. There were a few climbers and hikers that started before me that I quickly passed within a kilometre or so. I think there might have been at least 30 people I passed on my way back to the parking lot.

This trail is truly stunning with the canyon walls and the surrounding mountains. It really makes you appreciate Mother Nature and the natural world. Just think in a few short months all traces of these icefalls will be gone. The ice climbers who I spoke to early in my run said the icefalls are simply a stain on the rock in the summer months.

Right before the Green Monster I chatted with another climber. I was so amazed. She was like, “just wait until you go around the corner.”

The Green Monster definitely lived up to its name. There were a few climbers taking a little bit of a break while I came by. I stopped to have a little snack while I watched the guy in orange climb. They made it look so easy.

I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy Sunday morning. It was just what I needed to nourish my soul and check in with myself. Yes winter can be long but I find as long as I continue to stay active and get outside I can do anything.

Nature is healing.