Highline

Dist: 6.1km   Elev: 310m   Time: 2h   Difficulty: 2/5

After accomplishing all our weekly chores the day prior, Melinda and I rewarded ourselves with a day in Canmore to celebrate the Remembrance Day long weekend.  Having slightly different visions of an ideal day in the mountains, we decided this hike would be a perfect compromise. The Highline trail is a great way to add a dash of nature and exercise to any trip to Canmore, offering great views of the surrounding mountains while winding through a scenic forest above town.  Some sections are moderately steep, but most should find Highline an accessible and rewarding route.

Trail Description:
Park in the Quarry Lake parking lot, 1.5km before the Canmore Nordic Centre on the Three Sisters Parkway (Hwy 742).  We followed the clearly marked trail south from the parking lot, towards Mount Lawrence Grassi and Ha Ling Peak. The trail crossed under power lines before entering thick forest and then climbed gradually over a number of switchbacks.  Near the top of the ascent, the trail forked (right/west to Grassi Lakes, left/east for the Highline loop). We chose to go east, continuing on the undulating forest trail along the base of Mt Lawrence Grassi. Frequent ravine crossings offered breaks from the trees and great views of Canmore and the Fairholme Range on the opposite side of the Bow Valley.  After a couple kms on this eastern route, the trail forked again (left/north back towards town, right/south to Three Sisters) and we went left and began a descent on more switchbacks until eventually intersecting the same power lines we crossed at the beginning of the trail.  From here, we simply followed the power lines back to the Quarry Lake parking lot while enjoying views of Ha Ling and Mt Rundle above us.

View from the parking lot.  Ha Ling Peak (L) and Mt Rundle (R).

Frozen Quarry Lake

Looking back at the parking lot. Mt Lady MacDonald behind.

Heading towards Mt Lawrence Grassi. The trail ascends the treed slope ahead.

Crossing under the power lines

Climbing the switchbacks

Improving views as the elevation increases

Canmore and Bow Valley. Mt Lady MacDonald (L) and Grotto Mountain (R)

Good signage at every intersection.

Interesting "snow worms" on branches overhead

Great views of Canmore and Bow Valley

Grotto Mountain

One my many ravine crossings. Mt Lawrence Grassi above.

Numerous creek crossings

Following the power lines back to Quarry Lake. Mt Rundle beyond.

Ha Ling

The Highline trail traverses the undulating forest seen above, directly beneath Mt Lawrence Grassi.

Approaching Quarry Lake