The Rockwall, alongside Northover, Skyline, Skoki, and Assiniboine, stands as a rite of passage for trail runners in Calgary. Whether running solo or in a group, these iconic summer routes are essential checkmarks on every trail runner’s “must-run” list.
Named after its towering limestone cliffs, the Rockwall never reached my radar until last year when I started running with Calgary Trail Runners. It’s also in the Eastern Rockies Trail Passport.
It is on many bucket lists around the world. Point-to-point the trail, in Kootenay National Park, is 54 kilometres along which you pass five campgrounds, three alpine passes and Floe Lake. The impressive Rockwall is the defining feature.
I organized a CTR group to go out on a Saturday. We left our finishing vehicles at Paint Pots then we shuttled to Floe Lake where we started our run. Most runners take this south route as opposed to starting north from Paint Pots. All the climbing up front, then in the end you are rewarded with a nice flowy downhill to reach Paint Points.
Our group was made up of 18 runners from Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and other places. With a group this big, there was no hope that we would all stick together.
We stuck together until Floe Lake then we naturally split up in mini-groups. I ran with the group, which I lovingly called with the “picnic pace.” It was fun to catch up with my old pal Allie and to talk to new running friends. The weather was mostly on the cool side – perfect for running, and the trail was out of this world.
Picture hanging glaciers, lovely alpine passes, cascading waterfalls, and of course, the impressive Rockwall. It was a long day with a few minor mishaps but nothing too serious.
Running the Rockwall Trail wasn’t just another run. It’s the kind of adventure that should be shared with others.