Easy/Moderate hikes close to Calgary

[ah123]

For our department team build, I have been tasked with finding easy/moderate hikes close to Calgary (Bragg Creek or K-country preferred). I have been asked to limit to hikes which take no more than 3-4 hours round trip (not including travel to/from Calgary).

I have Fullerton Loop and Grassi Lakes on my list so far, but I don't know any other "easy" hikes.

Any suggestions which other hikes are worth considering?

[hungryhun]

Prairie mountain is a decent hike...a little on the challenging side for non hikers, but the views are awesome and shouldn't take more than 4hrs or so even for the inexperienced. The trailhead is just across from the Elbow Falls parking lot. Other options are Ha Ling peak overlooking Canmore, again with spectacular views of the Bow Valley and around 4-5hrs for inexperienced hikers. Just remember your bear spray whatever you decide on.

[DownhillGoat]

Lillian Lake would fit that criteria. Nice picnic facilities at the lake itself too.

[Coys1882]

If I recall correctly - Sentinel Pass by Morraine Lake is about that length and is absolutely breathtaking at the top of the switchbacks. Great place for lunch before the walk back to the parking lot.

http://hikealberta.com/hike/larch-va...nel-pass-trail

*EDIT - sorry missed the K-country bit. I'm going to leave this up though as it's a hike no one should miss.

[BEANZ]

Grassi Lakes is great depending on the day you choose. I would stay away from that place on a weekend, but during the week I have often been the only one on the mountain.

[Regulator75]

Go here.

http://www.trailpeak.com/index.jsp?c...ist&val=custom

[GGG]

Moose Mountain is a nice hike. 7 km long each way, 500m of elevation gain, very nicely graded only the last bit from the false summit to the real summit is steep and about half of the Hike is above the tree line.

[Cowperson]

A walk around Upper Kananaskis Lake is about 17.4 KM I think and about four hours of steady walking . . . and surprisingly mostly flattish. Very scenic and pleasant.

Abby walking around Upper K lake:



Above Upper Kananskis Lake is Rawlings Lake, where the area looks like this. Primo Grizzly country though. Don't worry, the dogs were leashed and I let them go for a sec to get the shot.:



Picklejar Lakes west of Longview, accessed via the Lineham Trail, is a nice 45 minutes or so with one pretty tough part. Then a series of roughly five lakes at varying altitudes to explore. Popular and nice hike.

Below Ruby and Pete on the way up to Picklejar:



Keeper and Abby descend to the first Pickejar:



Chester Lake down the Smith-Dorrien Trail is a very popular hike. About 50 minutes up and then other explorations from there.

Below, Chester Lake in Larch season:



You would probably walk the length of Barrier Lake in the time frame you specified, parking cars at each end. You might have to cross a couple of creeks. I've biked it and I've run the 18 km leg of the K100 back there and it seems there's always a few creeks to wade through. For your hike, steady walking and undulating.

Above Barrier Lake with Keeper:



West of Longview, walking up to Elbow Lake also leads you down Elbow Pass and you can walk for hours back there. Probably an out and back but scenic all the same. Tough little hike up to Elbow Lake but surprisingly flat after that.

Ruby in the Elbow Pass



West of Chain Lakes, a walk up to Hailstone Butte fire station is a fun diversion and very scenic. About one mile as the crow flies to the station but about an hour walk to get there. Ruby on the way down from the Fire Station:



On the opposite ridge from the Hailstone Butte fire station, is a very nice circular ridge walk that descends into the forest and then eventually back out onto the road. We go there quite a bit. Ruby up there a month ago.




Ptarmigan Cirque, at the top of the Highwood Pass, is a nice little hike/interpretive trail.



On the other side of the Highwood Pass, is this place . . . we hiked up past the trees in the distance and I think you can go further. In the deep snow, it really is many hours!!! Pete takes a break.



Coming down from Moose Mountain (below). The flat spot just below was a location shoot for the high camp portrayed in Brokeback Mountain. Its about one and a half hours to walk to that spot and then more to the top.



Summer walking along the shores of Chain Lakes. Just make sure you're not bothering the cows if they're around. You can walk a few hours one way and then back.



Probably other things . . . .

Cowperson

[Slava]

The lake above the Kananaskis Lakes is Rawson Lake, and while its not too long, thats a pretty tough hike. I love it, and its beautiful up there, but its a fairly steep incline for a lot of it.

[MrMastodonFarm]

We live in an absolutely stunning part of the world.

[V]

We used to take the high school kids out to the Fire Station at Barrier Lake. Really nice, and pretty easy. Chester Lake is really nice too.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by V

We used to take the high school kids out to the Fire Station at Barrier Lake. Really nice, and pretty easy. Chester Lake is really nice too.

Chester Lake woukd be a really good choice. Everyone can do the easy hike to the Lake and those that want to go further can scramble up one of the surrounding peaks.

[Wormius]

Moose Mtn is a pretty easy one, although there is a bit of a steep climb to the fire lookout station. It is in the same vicinity as Prairie Mtn as well. If you're lucky you can chat with the resident fire lookout ranger/warden guy.

[firebug]

Grotto Canyon.

Great for rookies and a very unique location (slot canyon). Plus there is the added bonus of trying to find the pictographs on the canyon wall.

[macker]

Heart Mountain loop is a nice hike that can be done in 3.5 - 4 hours and is close to the city. About 11km with some nice elevation gain and a good view of Barrier Lake from the top. There is a small technical section to get by but otherwise a fairly easy hike!

[macker]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Moose Mtn is a pretty easy one, although there is a bit of a steep climb to the fire lookout station. It is in the same vicinity as Prairie Mtn as well. If you're lucky you can chat with the resident fire lookout ranger/warden guy.

Or girl who covers for him in the Summer....

[North East Goon]

17th Ave. S.E. International Avenue. All sorts of wildlife to look at there.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

We live in an absolutely stunning part of the world.

Agreed. I've been to some of the "most popular national parks" in the world, ones that see the highest traffic, etc.... Kananaskis/Peter Lougheed still rank right at the time... and see 1% of the traffic. What a gem, won't stay a secret forever though.