Cathedral Mountain Blog

ABC’s of the Rockies – C

// March 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Adventure Specialist, Uncategorized

Canmore Caves

Nestled in stunning mountain ranges Canmore is just outside of Banff and is a town filled with real locals – people who live year round and raise families. Besides the stunning scenery including the famous Three Sister mountains, the world class Nordic centre, and best brewery in the Rocky Mountains I love Canmore for being able to experience the Rockies without being trapped in a tourist town.   

One of the most unique way to explore the Rocky Mountains is to go inside of one. Just outside of the town stands Grotto Mountain, holding what’s called Rat’s Nest Cave (I promise it’s not overfilling with rats!).   

I don’t see any rats in here…

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ABC’s of the Rockies – A

// March 9th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Adventure Specialist, Hikes, Uncategorized

A – Adventure Specialist

My role at Cathedral Mountain Lodge is to have the inside scoop on the best hikes, wildlife viewing, sights, cultural experiences and actitivities in the area. I am taking the opporunity to steal the ‘A’ in this series of blog posts to brag about this dream job!

Last summer I had the time of my life conquering mountains, lakes, rapids, caves, horses and of course the occasional beer. Not only have I done almost every tourist option available to me I have also found the best trails that only locals know about. Here’s a peek at the advice I would offer a guest at Cathedral Mountain Lodge that wants to hike off the beaten path:

Tower of Babel

The discoverer or Moraine Lake, Walter Wilcox, named this towering spire after the biblical Tower of Babel that reached to the heavens (even though this is far from the highest peak in the area). 

The Tower of Babel on the far left overlooks Moraine Lake

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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. 

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