There’s something special about introducing a friend to one of your favourite hikes. Grizzly Peak is one of those hidden gems along Hwy 40. I discovered it a couple of years ago with Kate and Collum, and it has since become one of my favourite short hikes.
Although my research says, it is one of the most popular trails in Kananaskis, I am surprised when I see more than five people on this trail at one time.
I invited KJ to join me for this short but incredibly rewarding hike. The out-and-back hike is roughly 1,000 metres over 7 kilometres. I don’t find the hike terribly challenging or technical but if you are not used to steep inclines, you may find it a solid workout.
The well-beaten trail of switchbacks is fairly easy to follow. Near the final push to the saddle, though, it can get tricky thanks to the maze of animal trails and rocky sections. I noticed in recent years that people have left cairns at this section that help keep you on the right path.
One of the reasons I love this hike is the almost guaranteed chance of spotting Rocky Mountain sheep. If you follow me on social media, you already know how much I love seeing wildlife on the trails. Speaking of animals, we didn’t see any bears or grizzlies (despite the name Grizzly Peak). The name likely comes from Kananaskis’ moniker of bear country, though thankfully, the only wildlife encounter we had was with a few herds of happy sheep.
We had just rounded the corner to the last climb before the saddle when I made eye contact with a female sheep sitting on trail. It had caught me by surprise delight as we were just watching a small herd in the valley.
What a wonderful experience! That truly made our morning. We headed up to the saddle. There was a light dusting of snow but not enough to force us to break out our Kahtoolas but enough to remind us winter is coming. It was windy at the saddle so we did not linger, and we headed to the summit.
A lone hiker was making his way down. We had seen his footprints earlier in the mud and snow. I was happy that we did not have to break trail.
Thankfully the wind had died down at the summit so we were able to enjoy a snack and a few minutes of solitude. The thin layer of snow on the nearby peaks made the whole scene look like a living postcard.
As always Grizzly Peak did not disappoint. Sharing it with a friend made it even special. These panoramic views have a way of capturing your soul, so why not share it with a friend?
How to get to Grizzly Peak
Grizzly Peak is located along Highway 40, also known as the Kananaskis Trail, about an hour and half drive west of Calgary. After you turn on Hwy 40 from Hwy 1, the trailhead is about 45 kilometres, near the intersection of Hwy 40 and Ripple Rock Creek. Park along the shoulder of the highway or in the ditch, to access the trail.
Have you done Grizzly Peak? What are some of your favourite hikes in Kananaskis? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.