Waterton Lakes - Red Rock Canyon

Last time we were here we wanted to go up to Red Rock Canyon but due to snow, it was still closed for the season.

 

This time the road was open and after breakfast, packing up and checking out

we made the drive up to the, already packed, parking lot.

The main attraction is the canyon with its red and white rock

but first we opted for a short hike up to some falls.

Still walking through the remains of burnt out forest (a major fire in 2017 burned about a third of the park)

but there were lots of wildflowers in bloom

and the new growth of trees was 5 or 6 ft high.

It didn't feel nearly as barren as it had just last spring.

We could hear the falls before

we saw them

First from one viewpoint

and then

a bit further

the platform right at the falls

This big suck didn't like the metal stairs.

River also got a lift back.

Their reward

was playing and paddling in the water in the canyon.

Something a lot of the visitors were doing.

I stayed sitting on the edge

just enjoying

the scenery.

One last stop planned before setting off on the 6 hour return journey:

A stop at

 

The Grumpy Goat

for goat petting

and 

ice cream.

Waterton Lakes, a short hike

 Saturday we set off for Waterton Lakes. A six hour drive which included Mike grilling the kids on Canadian geography before allowing screen time, Shwarma in Calgary and lots of road trip snacks.

We checked into the Heritage Inn in Pincher Creek, about a half hour drive from the park. A two bedroom suite with a pull out couch in the living area and a small kitchenette.

 We swam in the indoor pool and the hot tub. Bentley (Mike and Aimee's friend from the Armed Forces) joined us for a pizza dinner and they made plans for the hike the next day. They were up early the next day for breakfast and then to get the boat across the lake to the start of the trail.

The kids and I were slower to get going and go down for the hotel breakfast.

Then we drove into the park, surprised by the free admission, and to the hill that has the Prince of Wales hotel for our hike.

 

Everyone, including River's little cat, got sprayed for ticks (they were really bad last time we were here).

Maya was very concerned about them and tried not to touch any long grass, imagining them waiting to pounce on her. Of course she was the only one to get a bug on her (I am unable to confirm that it was a tick because Avery knocked it off the back of her leg, but she was convinced that it was)

It was hot, smoky (forest fire smoke coming up from the U.S.) and very windy. Not a great day for a hike. Mike and Aimee reported that the smoke wasn't bad up on their hike, perhaps it was trapped down in the valley where we were.

I distracted Maya with flower spotting.

Last time we were in Waterton Lakes it had been spring, some trails still closed due to snow cover.

There had been lots of flowers then.

There were still

plenty for us to find

in the woods

and meadows

beside the trail.

We turned a corner on the trail and received the full force of the wind (strong enough that I felt I had to hold on to River to keep her upright). At this point the trail headed straight up hill towards the hotel. That didn't look like fun so we opted to turn around and retrace our steps rather than completing the loop.

Some more flower hunting on the way back

but now our distraction was helping River in her hunt for butterflies.

Back to the car and as the hike had been cut short I decided to go into Waterton village

to the waterfall

 

where we played

with some 

photos.

Then a stop at the playground before returning to the hotel

We had snacked on the beach after the hike but still had room for grilled cheese and then off to the pool. Races, handstands, in and out of the hot tub. I had River without her "floaties'' on, jumping into the water to me. Suddenly it clicked and she was swimming, underwater but swimming. She was so excited she wanted to do it again and again.

Mike, Aimee and Bentley returned as we were swimming, after their 6 hour hike. They reported that it had been tough but the scenery spectacular  (Photo by Aimee.)

 

and the swim at the top, "refreshing" (yep, there was still snow up there) (photo by Aimee)

Swim and hot tub at the hotel pool (with River showing off her new found skill), Chinese food for supper and everyone crashed early.