I have a love-hate relationship with this crazy warm weather Southern Alberta has been experiencing. I hate how there is no snow for xc skiing, snow shoeing or snowboarding but I’m loving being outdoors without gloves, warm sunshine on my face and snow free hiking.
Yesterday we headed off on the Goat Haunt (Lakeshore) Trail in Waterton. I had wanted to do a day hike to the Goat Haunt border in Montana and back. This is one of my favourite easy/long hikes in the Park because there is only one slight ascent and the scenery is gorgeous. Weather also tends to be better on this trail because it’s on the lake and at a much lower elevation than many of the other hikes.
I thought it was 7 km each way but when we got to the trailhead it turned out to be about 13km each way. A little longer than we were prepared for so we opted to just go until we felt like turning around.
Heading on the main trail towards Bertha Falls/Goat Haunt fork was really icy and snowy.
One the way down the other side toward Bertha Bay the trail was snow free, but at some points was a creek instead of a trail. It was also very windy on this side of the mountain as we descended down.
Bertha Bay is a gorgeous little spot in Waterton where they allow back country camping and have sites with fire pits. Because it was an overcast day, the bay was a little dull.
Then we came to the hardest climb of this hike (it isn’t really hard) which is a pretty stretch along a rock cliff.
There were several creeks that had to be jumped and my foot fell in on one of them. Ha ha.
We stopped for lunch when we came upon another beautiful bay in the lake and spread out my way awesome new outdoor lunch blanket and started making sandwiches.
On the way back I tore my amazing lightweight goose down coat on a piece of barbed wire wound around a tree! I was pissed!
In the end we wound up hiking 6.5 miles total and it took us about 4 hours because we were in no hurry and took our time.
I told Ryan I would like to do this hike with the kids this summer because you can back country camp at Boundary Bay which would make for a fun, outdoors weekend.
This was our “anniversary” activity because two years ago today we got married in Waterton in a huge snow storm. I wonder if I’ll ever get sick of this place- NOPE!
Does anyone know why Parks has barbed wire wrapped around random tress along the trail?
Any tips for fixing my coat? I want it to stay water proof and warm!
I feel ya on the love/hate weather situation. I’ve been in Calgary for the past week and was shocked to drive back to work this morning to find it raining, 5C and no snow. (Apparently it’s been chillier in the city!)
I miss Waterton and I absolutely ADORE this trail. It’s just a nice relaxing easy stroll once you get past the first few hills.
It’s been such a weird winter! To me, the biggest problem with these warm days is now I miss summer so when it drops back down I get sad.
This is the trail I love to reccomend to beginner’s who want an all day hike with little climbing. It’s so pretty!
hi! The barbed wire is most often used as part of monitoring wildlife/bear activity. Bears rub on trees (or by them) and their fur gets trapped in the barbs.
This can provide all kinds of info and in fact some research uses DNA testing to
monitor movements of specific bears! It might also be there for other kinds of wildlife, not sure. Sucks about your coat though!
Aha! Interesting. Thanks for letting me know, I couldn’t figure it out! I am sad about my coat. Gotta seal it up somehow.
I would love at least warmer winter days. We rarely if ever get days other than bitter cold and zero sunshine. I think I would be outdoors more often if we had some days like southern Alberta. Gorgeous photos you shared.
Yeah this warm weather has been so awesome. I would never have convinced my hubby to come if it was below 0!
Looks so beautiful. I’ve never been to Waterton but I would REALLY like to go.
I’ve NEVER been to Waterton either!! Becky, lets take the boys and go this summer!!
Kaella you’ve never been to Waterton?!?! You’re so close! Put it on your summer bucket list for sure. 🙂
It’s seriously so awesome, I’m very lucky to live so close to it.