Edge of the Rockies

Towering over the prairies, the safeguard of the Canadian Rockies, this little cliff hanger stabs out of the ground. (Literally- it looks like someone sliced it straight down). With its jagged cliffs being a top spot for rock-climbers and hikers alike, it is the ideal spot for adrenaline seekers to get their weekend fix.

I have been meaning to do this hike since I arrived in Canada. But yet somehow every time I tried to go do it, the weather was either A) thunderstorms or B) socked in with smoke. So it never really turned out. So once Paula organized a group to go early Sunday morning, of course even though I had work at 5 that night, I decided to push it and make sure I hiked quick enough to make it.

To get to this hike heading from Canmore on the highway 1 towards Calgary, once out of the mountains turn off onto the Highway 1X, turning left after the off-ramp. Follow this round the bends and past the dam until reaching the T-intersection. Turn right here. After a short few kilometres on the left there is a sign for the parking lot for Yamnuska. Plenty of parking to provide for the hoards of people flocking here. Easily signed at the rear of the carpark the trail begins.

The wooden oasis winds through the trees on a nice wide dirt path, which does around 200m before starting to incline. Up and up you go, occasionally resting on some stretched flats. At this point I was already puffing and my heart was racing. At the fork where the options of "technical climbing" to the left and "hiking" to the right, take the right. Keep going!! You'll be rewarded with views on the ridge shortly. It may seem counter-productive as you feel as though you're walking AWAY from the mountain, but trust me its a much easier ascent. Once reaching the ridge you have a long spread view across the prairies at the foot of the Rockies. After the slabs of rocks at the clearing you will get a little more incline before continuing up the ridge, this time TOWARDS the cliff faces of Yam. A some 15 minutes of walking (if that) and the chimney is in sights.

It looks daunting- but its not, and I'm not just saying that. You can walk around the slick rock to grippy boulders that lead you between the chimney and you end up having to heave yourself up (especially when you're short like me), into a pathway carved into the rock. But wait, theres more. This opens up to the whole backside bowl of Yamnuska. An amazing stop for a water break and breathe catch. From here the trail leads up at a much less gradient (compared to what you have already done). The path has changed drastically from a well trodden dirt track, to a rocky but still well taken path. Here I recommend looking for the blue markers painted on the rocks. It will lead you across and then switching back up towards the top. Another traverse climb over to a crag and then a quick scramble to the cliffs edge. And it is just that, literally straight down- some parts even caved under you. Here we decided to stop and have lunch as the views were amazing.

lunch stop with a classic girls shot

We slightly descended down to a defined path below our lunch spot that traversed across, but noticed some take less defined paths that ran parallel to us but higher. Winding around a few spots for a good 15 minutes with minimal elevation gain the small packed rocks turn into boulders that need clambering over. You'll notice a blue square on the rock leading you up a few metres. This is where the trail needs caution.

The chains section

A 100m or so after the boulder sections begin is the classic Yamnuska chains. (everyone makes them out to be 1000% worse than they are. Our friend Laura who is terrified of heights was okay. (Nervous but okay). The footing is nice and Paula was even standing mid-way comfortably taking photos. So I personally think it is much more hype than anything. Obviously taking caution and being smart about positioning. Here the boulder pathway- which is still well defined keeps winding over and across ridges, except there is one point with a down climb, which I found more difficult than the chain section, as it is very steep and requires some thinking of footing.

Once past the down climb- which had snow for us so we took our time to be safe- the trail then heads on up again on some looser scree, switchbacking across all the way up to the summit. The last slog isn't too bad in elevation gain compared to what you have already done. We were all sweating and panting but still chugging along. This became snow along the top ridge. Deep snow. This was when some fear of heights came in to play. Literally the only place it kicked in. I can't describe how incredibly proud I am of my friends for doing this hike which is rated difficult, with a fear of heights. They are some bad as b*tches.

Descent off the summit.

For me the summit was underwhelming compared to the first cliff edge spot we stopped at. Just a hump with snow which turns into a descent of scree. The path is a little undefined and we took the switch back option as the girls had never done a scree run before - which after getting halfway down noticed others doing. Which I personally would have preferred had I known it was there. This scree is nice and lose and makes an easy bunny hop down the mountain. Scree turns into bigger rocks and dirt which traverse down and across the mountain side to the end corner . The descent is a decent gradient and tough on the knees. Take caution as there is a weird mixture of scree, rocks and dirt, which can result in a odd footing and a rolled ankle. But fret not. The end is near!!!

Once rounding the corner the path leads into the trees. But only for a few minutes- don't get too excited. We were now facing the front side of the cliffs, at the base of the mountain. Look out for a sign that says "trail". There are so many undefined and unmarked trails that you could easily take and get very lost. This trail you can easily see from the corner. This traverses across half of the cliffs across the loose scree. A few more boulder clambers and there is the scree run. My most favourite thing about a hike. And this one is a good one.

Traverse across towards scree

From the boulders follow to the left and climb down the rocks onto the scree. You willl notice a path that leads almost immediately down. This is what you'll want to take. Using the magical technique of scree running you're at the base of the scree in less than 10 minutes, with a big smile on your face and a shoe full of stones. (literally not kidding). Top tip : Dig the heels in, bend the knees and lean backwards. If you start to feel yourself moving with the scree, go with it. It will make your life so much easier.

Within 10 minutes you come across a dirt path with another "trail" sign that winds back into the trees. This is harsher on the knees than the scree but winds down at a steady descent. You'll even encounter a water fall which resemble somewhat something that looks like big rock books that have been stacked. Weird but its the only way I can think to describe it.

Not long and you'll back at the fork with the technical or hiking options. From here it is a quick skip and a hop back into the carpark where you can marvel at the cliff faces you were just on top of.

For someones first hike in the rockies it does have some technical parts but it is do-able - if you feel comfortable. It was a really enjoyable hike that wasn't too hard but kept me on my toes.