Cathedral Mountain Blog

Hiking at Cathedral Mountain Lodge

// July 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Adventure Specialist

Here is a list of just a few of the great hikes that this area has to offer. Staying at Cathedral Mountain Lodge you have access to heaps of great hiking all right outside your beautiful log cabin…

1. Takakkaw Falls: Coming from the Cree word for magnificient, in which it truely is. Takakkaw Falls is the second largest waterfall in Canada fed by the Daly Glacier which is part of the Waputik Icefield. From the base of the waterfall hikers can choose from endless trails or just relax at the base of the fall and take the inspiring sight of mother nature at its best.

The "magnificent"

2.Twin Falls: Starting at the base of Takakkaw Falls hike to Twin Falls. This is a moderate one-way 8.5 km, so not for the sofa crowd. Your reward at the end of the trail is Twin Falls, plus Twin Falls Chalet.

Twin Falls Chalet was initiated by the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) starting in 1908, and was developed into the more attractive two-story chalet it is now. It was and is still used as a backcountry base for hiking and mountaineering.

3. Sherbrook Lake and Paget Peak: About 10 mins from the lodge are the trail heads to both Sherbrook Lake and Paget Peak. Both are half day easy-moderate hikes that will provide you with some beautiful views.

Sherbrook Lake is an easy flat hike to the lake without sacrificing on the views. This aquamarine lake is fed by the Wapta Icefield and the forest has had an interesting past of forest fires, strong winds, and grizzly bears. Looking to the west you’ll see the impressive Mount Ogden, and Mount Niles to the North.

A Wapta Icefield Glacier Lake

Paget Peak is a more strenuous hike, so if you like a challenge I would suggest trying this one. The trail up is full of switch backs and is on an incline the entire route however, once you reach the top you’ll be glad you did. There is a fire lookout at the peak where you get an impressive view of Yoho Valley and on a clear day  you can see into the infamous Lake O’Hara Region.  I was lucky enough to see a snowshoed hare on my hike up, so keep your eyes open for animals hiding in the bush.

Yoho Valley

There is so much to do once you get here, and we are all more then happy to provide you with the maps and the inside scoop on some of the best hikes available.

Horse Back Riding at Lake Louise and the Little Beehive

// June 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

The Rocky Mountains has endless amounts of outdoor activities for people of all levels. This past weekend myself and another employee of Cathedral Mountain Lodge (Niki) decided to go for a 3.5 hour horse ride.

We started our day at the stables at Lake Louise we rode up to Mirror Lake where the horses had a drink of water. We then travelled up to the little Beehive where we caught the most beautiful aerial view of Lake Louise. After a short break there, we jumped back on our horses and rode over to the teahouse at Lake Agnes. The lake was a beautiful setting and a great way to finish the ride with a nice cup of tea. After our tea we jumped back on the horses and were back at the stables in time for lunch. We had a gorgeous day to go for a horseback ride and the people and horses at Timberline Tours made our experience even better.

Timberline Tours is a family owned horseback riding company based out of Lake Louise. This is a small company owned and operated by Paul and Sue Peyto, we really enjoyed the smaller setting and more personalized service we received.  The other amazing thing about Timberline Tours is a large majority of their horses are rescued. Paul and Sue will attend horse sales where some of the horses have either been badly beaten or just over worked to the point of severe exhaustion. They will purchase the horses, saving them from being terminated and spend up to two years training and building the trust of the horses until they are well enough to trail ride.

I had the opportunity to ride Skyler a rescued horse from three years back. I had an amazing time and the views were magnificent. If your looking for something special to do on your vacation I definitely recommend horseback riding. Please give us a call at the lodge and I would be more then happy to arrange everything for you.

Till next time…

TripAdvisor: Rocky Mountains #2 Outdoor & Adventure Destinations in the World

// May 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Rocky Mountain National Park has been named the #2 Outdoor and Adventure Destination in the World by Tripadvisor for the 2010 Traveler awards.  With such a beautiful backdrop of nature, peaks, and landscape, it’s no wonder that it’s a hot-spot for Adventurists!  Towering over the plains for Alberta and BC the rugged, mighty, and exquisite mountains are second to none in the world. 

Visitors enjoy an abundance of activities including prime rock-climbing, hiking and biking trails, golf, horseback riding, shopping, sightseeing, canoeing, and more. 

Want to know more about activities you can check out while at the Rockies?  Visit our interactive map to find out more or to help plan your trip.  Feel free to give us a ring if you have any questions about the area or the activities available to you.  You can reach us toll free at 1 866 619 6442.

Welcome to Cathedral Mountain Lodge!

// May 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

With the summer just around the corner, we’re excited to be open for another fantastic season!  Whether you’re looking for a serine getaway from the everyday, or you’d like to explore the Rockies to your heart’s content, we’ve got you covered.  Cathedral Mountain lodge is in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and we offer an abundant opportunities to explore outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, mountain climing, horseback riding, and more.  Our Adventure Specialist can happily create a program specific to your interests and assist you with all the necessary arrangements.  Make sure to visit our interactive map for more ideas on how to plan your trip.

Once you’re ready to wind down, let our multi-award winning kitchen satiate your taste buds with a menu which showcases fresh local and certified organic ingredients including fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat as well as Canada’s finest wine selection. You can enjoy dining in the comfort of a large stone fireplace and elegant Rocky Mountain interior while taking in awe-inspiring views of the glacial-fed Kicking Horse River.