THE PATH TO GREAT AUTUMN OUTINGS
HIKE, BIKE AND BOAT WHILE ENJOYING FALL’S FANTASTIC COLOURS
After two hours of traipsing through the forest we crested the top of the larchlayered hillside and the rustic, tucked-away tea house came into view. The sight was mesmerizing. The baby blue waters of little Lake Agnes glistened in the mid-day sun and people — maybe fifty souls, give or take — were soaking it all in. Some were relaxing on the balcony eating fresh scones. Some were skipping rocks along the shore. Some were canoeing on the lake. A near-perfect scene of humans enjoying the great outdoors played out before our eyes.
Indeed, recreating outdoors in the fall is a no-brainer. The temps are cool and comfortable, the trails are still in great shape, and the colours, of course, are awesome. Considering the long, cold winter is on our doorstep, it’s even more inviting to duck out of dodge and, well, just get out there.
Regardless of what “mode” of moving fits your fancy — biking, hiking, running, walking, boating, horsing — you’re going to find it in the glorious golds of autumn. Here are a few ways you can go cruisin’ for colour.
Hiking
While the Banff/Lake Louise area is always incredible in the fall (there are two backcountry tea houses that make for outstanding day hikes from the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise), hiking the less-travelled trails in K-Country, for example, can be equally as rewarding. Some of the best options are easily accessible off Highway 40, approximately an hour from Calgary. They include: Cat Creek, Ptarmigan Cirque, and Elbow Lake. If you’re looking for larches, the hike to Chester Lake (it’s four hours, give or take) is a classic. The trailhead is located on the Spray Lakes/Smith Dorrien Road, approximately 20 kilometres from the junction with the Kananaskis Lakes Road in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. However, like all good lollygags through the larches, you certainly won’t be alone.
Road Cycling
Unquestionably, road cyclists have a love affair with Highway 22x and its extension, Highway 66. On any given day in summer and fall you’re sure to pass a number of them whizzing along, bearing straight into the warm westerlies (of course, the breeze will be behind them on the way home!). The route is especially good in the fall when the rolling ranchland around Priddis and the old Red Deer Lake School, for example, is alive with golden harvest scenes punctuated with the snow-capped Rockies in the distance. With vast, wide-open prairie morphing into mountains, the ride has it all. Bring plenty of energy ... and maybe don’t try this one if it’s your first ride.
Mountain Biking
Bragg Creek has quickly become the go-to place for mountain biking. It’s now home to a growing network of gnarly single-track trails. While the legendary Powderface Trail (it’s located approximately twenty minutes west of Bragg Creek on Highway 66) is a gorgeous gruntfest like no other, you can start easy with some of the more beginner-friendly and intermediate trails at the West Bragg Creek Trailhead. Or, stay close to home and pedal your way along the pretty paths of Fish Creek Provincial Park. There are also plenty of sweet, cross-country rides in the massive region of the park between Macleod Trail and 37th Street in the southwest. Go exploring and find your own personal route!
Walking
Yes, true, you don’t have to go all Forrest Gump and run ... and run ... and run. Walking is good, too. And the many miles of quiet riverside paths in Calgary are perfect for this. In fall, these trails are peppered with poplar and other plants that burn with fiery colours. The area around Bow Valley Ranche is positively pastoral and a perfect place to start your stroll. After your walk you can grab a coffee and a chocolate brownie at Annie’s (it’s the old bakery located a hundred yards from the historic ranch house), plunk yourself down on the porch, and realize, once again, that it’s actually the simple things in life that make it all good.
Horseback Riding
Hopping on a horse and experiencing the pristine Alberta landscapes that surround Calgary is, for many, the ultimate way to recreate in the great outdoors. With the help of professional guides and outfitters — try Moose Mountain Horseback Adventures near Bragg Creek or Anchor D near Turner Valley — you can access your inner cowboy and enjoy a ride that fits your time availability and skill level. Kids, adults, and corporate groups can all find themselves a happy trail. If you head to Anchor D, make sure owner and cowboy extraordinaire Dewy Mathews tells you the story of his encounter with the unruly cougar. Just like the panoramic views into the Sheep River Valley and beyond, it’s a keeper.
Kayaking
The many rivers and streams that meander through our province are heavenly highways for paddlers. And the experience at water level offers a unique perspective that will heighten your connection with the natural world. Some introductory lessons and a peaceful group paddle down the Bow River with a professional guide from Aquabatics (based in Bowness) is a good place for beginners to start. The section of water between Baker Park and Prince’s Island, which incorporates only class I rapids, is just enough to get your adrenalin going. The lower Kan, if you’ve got some white-water experience under your belt, is a super-fun rip through the rapids that can typically be done all year long. Like all good adventures, do your homework and know your limits!
Canoeing
Canoeing on flat water on a perfect fall day — the setting at Emerald Lake is sublime — is one of the most peaceful and relaxing ways to recreate in the mountains. It’s also a great way to introduce the kids to the joys of being on the water. Just soaking in the variety of vibrant colours — ie: red canoes against turquoise water and royal-blue skies backing the golden larches — will make the day trip worth its weight in gold.
Of course, if all else fails and all you’ve got in you is a car ride, no worries, that can also be an enjoyable way to see the wonders of fall. The Highwood Pass — the highest paved road in Canada — never disappoints. The Icefields Parkway and the David Thompson Highway are also incredible road trips. Then again, if you’re simply cruisin’ for colour, even the Deerfoot serves some up. And you don’t even need to take a day off work to enjoy it.