I enjoy going on a hike or walk, especially on a nice day and in the company of our dogs. My preference, whenever possible, is to head out to nature somewhere -- away from cities, traffic, and crowds.
I currently live in Calgary and the amazing Rocky Mountains are only an hour's drive away, offering hundreds of kilometers of breath-taking hiking experiences. In summer wandering about in the Rockies is almost unmatched for scenic beauty. But the snow-free season is short so unless you're into snow-shoeing, you'll need to look elsewhere for a nature walk after October.
It's usual to have snow on the ground in Alberta by Halloween -- sometimes it melts, sometimes it stays around for awhile. One early November weekend morning I really felt like going for a long walk so I decided to try an urban hike, around the Glenmore Reservoir south of downtown.
The Glenmore Reservoir and Dam are located on the Elbow River and are the source of most of Calgary's drinking water. The Elbow River originates in the Rockies, so it's clean and a good source of potable water. The reservoir and its surroundings has created lots of recreational space, with a trail that circumnavigates it, parks and picnic areas, and so on.
During summer there's limited activity allowed on the water, mostly with non-gasoline powered watercraft (e.g. electric motors, kayaking, canoes). In winter no one is allowed on the ice because the shifting water levels make it unsafe to do so.
It was a chilly November morning, but warm enough that the snow was slowly melting and, for the most part, the walking was good. The path is paved and you share it with people on bikes, roller-blades and the occasional skateboard. You certainly won't be alone. It's Calgary's second most popular trail, the most popular being the Bow River pathway in the city's downtown.
(Part of the walk takes you through the edge of Heritage Park)
The Glenmore Reservoir Trail covers 15.3 kilometers -- about 17 km (10.5 miles) if you include a diversion to the dam. It's a fairly flat walk, with less than a 30 meter maximum elevation change, and is rated as "easy". The trail can be accessed from many spots. I started my journey in the southwest corner and walked counterclockwise.
The highlight of the hike are the wonderful views of the reservoir/ lake and the distant Rocky Mountain peaks. The furthest portion to the west (Weaselhead) is actually a wilderness area and quite nice.
(View of Glenmore Trail Freeway and the Reservoir from the Dam)
The photos in the blog are taken in sequence during my walk around the Reservoir. As you can see, it's a pretty place.
It took most of the afternoon to complete the walk (including a stop for coffee and a snack at a bakery), to the point that the sun was beginning to set and the melt-water on the trail began to freeze, making it quite slippery, especially as you climb the hill out of Weaselhead.
(The Elbow River as it enters the Reservoir)
All in all, a nice walk that's especially handy for people who live near the trail. Recommended in the shoulder hiking seasons when the Rockies are snowbound.
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