The original plan for today, was to return to the Lake Louise Ski Area, for another day of skiing. On the drive north, the day was shaping up to be a nice one!

We arrived at the ski area, and realized quickly that we had made a mistake in our planning. This is the Alberta Family Day weekend, and the ski area was packed. The nearest parking spot is a very long shuttle ride away, and the lift lines are massive. We quickly decided to change plans, and head back down the highway from where we came.

After hearing about Grotto Canyon, just a bit southeast of Canmore, we decided to check it out. Unlike yesterday’s hike along the side of the canyon walls, our hike today would be right up the middle of the frozen river.

The trip started out a little boring, making our way away from the parking lot, along an icy trail through the woods behind a very large and loud mineral processing plant.

Eventually, we made it to the bottom of the canyon.

As we made our way along the ice, it became obvious there were two types of hikers here… about half of us with ice traction devices and the other half without. Watching people try to make their way up the hills of ice with nothing but snow boots, and in some cases, running shoes, was certainly interesting.

As we continued up the canyon, the river bed was winding through increasingly taller walls on each side.

We paused for photos all the way along. In places you could hear the water moving under the ice. In other places, you could see the ice was frozen solid right down to the creek bed below.

We’re approaching the top of the canyon…

Once at the start of the canyon, we explored the area, seeing where the water feeds the river from a few different places above and beyond the tall walls surrounding us.

I decided to climb up the side of one of the waterfalls for a better view.

Nadine is climbing up to join me.

These waterfalls completely frozen in time are really a site to see.

As it was starting to get late, we made our way back down the river.

Back at the parking lot, we had a quick snack and made our way back towards Banff.