The Daytripper: Scenic route to Canmore
Posted Jun 6, 2012 6:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Take Highway 1A instead of the usual TransCanada Highway route. This is a scenic drive to Canmore; experience the feeling of Grande Cache without going very far and feel like you’re floating in the clouds as you pass Cochrane, with a gorgeous view of the entire town.
Continue on 1A, and stop on the left at the first roadside turnout. It’s a historical site with a stone pyramid – a tribute to the Stoney Indians. Stop and admire the McDougal Memorial United Church as well.
A little further on, you can stop and fish or picnic near the Ghost Lake Reservoir. If you feel like a hike, The Yamnuska trail takes you to a viewpoint on the open ridge east of Mt. John Laurie, more commonly known as Yamnuska, meaning “Wall of Stone.”
Feel free to stop along the Bow River for some great photo opportunities, including a look out to the CP Railway just past the trail and, if you’re lucky, you can catch a great shot of the mountains and the train chugging along.
There are some great view points as you continue on Hwy 1A, and the aqua blue waters of Grotto Pond and Gap Lake.
Once in Canmore, there’s a lot to do with a number of hiking trails including Ha Ling Peak; for those less adventurous, try some homemade pasta from Luna Blue Restaurant.
