grotto mountain acc route

Bow Valley from above treeline. Grotto Mountain (ACC Route) Kananaskis, Alberta. ( Log Out /  On the way down, I stayed on the ridge all the way until the last false summit and this route proved to be both easier and more scenic. Hike / scramble up Grotto Mountain, by Canmore, on blustery day. Even though I tried to run down, I was forced to watch sunset on the mountain again. This way up is way more interesting than the ACC route. But it wasn’t too dark by the time I made back to parking lot. For us, a summer ascent here was a novelty. Unfortunately parking in any of the ACC lots wasn’t permitted, but we I had to take my ice axe out for a snow slope crossing. I went off-route here, and wasted about 20 minutes. I retraced my footprints once entering the woods and I couldn’t believe I made the trail all the way to the treeline. There are three routes to the top of Grotto Mountain. Abstract An exploration to the valley South of Mount Balinhard in the hopes of finding a scramble route up Mount Balinhard. Grotto Mountain (D irect R oute) Kananaskis, Alberta March 13, 2004 Grotto Mountain provides a good workout in early season when other peaks are still snowbound. At tree line, the trail narrows to the false summit. There follow signs to The Alpine Club of Canada. Abstract Tried to drive to Blackstone Gap but had to dig the truck out of the snow twice. August 9th 2019. Fortune as a snowshoe ascent but I again, didn’t manage to wake up early enough, and the deteriorating weather forced me to turn around right after crossing the lake. The ACC route allows us to bag the false summit and traverse the ridge to the main summit (conditions permitting). As I roamed the clubhouse looking at rusted crampons, ... deep below the surface of Grotto Mountain alpine caves twist and turn in an intestinal-like network that reaches far into the bowels of the Earth’s crust. Presented here is most scenic and relatively unknown option that starts from Cougar creek trailhead (same as for Lady MacDonald) and climbs semi-forested "Cougar ridge" gently rising at west flanks of the mountain. I didn’t stay on the ridge during ascending, instead I traversed around several false summits on west slope which actually led to more interesting terrain. GPS Route: Grotto-Cougar_Creek There are a couple things that stand out about Grotto. After leaving her, I easily downclimbed a two-metre cliff band, the only scrambling bit along the ridge. Moreover, it enjoys a long climbing season. Change ). The scramble section is merely a very steep hike and the few hands-on steps are all avoidable if staying on the ridge. Second sign, right again (Grotto Mountain trail) loosing some more of elevation and reaching the creekbed. Calgary-based hiking, scrambling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing club. There are two main scrambling routes: Northwest Variation - from the ACC clubhouse, ascends the northwest side of the mountain on a good hiking trail. Too bad I went off-route again, and wasted about 1 hour here. Route #2 Right Side Edge of Cougar Creek #3 Direct Route #4 Grotto Buttress Route Rats Nest Cave #5 Cougar Creek Gully. Start an unrelenting steep ascent here and stay on the edge of this ridge (canyon to your left). She had recovered, so we headed back down. Summit view looking towards Lac des Arcs area. Elevation) : 2,706m - 산행높이 The first one was the trail to the direct route, bigger and flagged. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. There are five routes I have called them #1 A.C.C. This is the second time I’ve climbed this mountain (the first time was via the ACC route), and both times my calves were killing me on the way up. Indeed, even though Dinah and I have climbed Grotto a few times, it was always in winter conditions. Check in with the folks at the ACC before parking in the Clubhouse parking lot. Starting at the Alpine Club of Canada site, the trail begins on an undemanding grade but eventually becomes quite steep. Grotto Mountain – 423 Follow ledges down to the left. Report on a Scramble trip Grotto Mtn via ACC clubhouse route on 2020-08-04 The party engaged in a lively discussion of local and world affairs while enjoying a leisurely hike and Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Can you reply back? The space is limited so guest will have first After that I was very demotivated to drove home. June 30, 2018. The sun was getting low. By the time I eventually reached the summit, it was 2:20 pm, which indicated I only had about 2 hours of daylight time. We also ascended Meda Mountain on this trip. Dinah stopped before the short cliff band, After regaining the ridge it's a walk to the summit, 230 m before the summit there's a small window, The trail runs to the summit while avoiding the cliff bands, Dinah took this shot of me on the ridge while a few hikers appear on the summit, I was reaching into my pack when Dinah took a photo of me on the summit, One of the girls on top was kind enough to take this photo. Can someone send me a photo or 2 of Grotto Mountain showing the ACC and direct route and the peak? Nestor. Hi Steve. Hopefully there would be people doing this mountain in the following several days, so they don’t need to do the massive trail breaking thing. We got lot's of great beta and photos. Hey Steve! There is still a decent amount up high. Now I was practically exhausted but since the Rockies is such a long drive from Edmonton I had to figure something else out to do for the next few days. This was my 3rd time doing the hike, and 1st for my friend. 11.42 km, 1378 meter vertical, 5 hours 36 minutes. Keep climbing and keep writing! Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The one we chose is known as the “ACC route. Everything looks small from here. No Place For A Friend 90 m, 5.9 R. Baillie & M. Toft, June 1983 This route climbs the left side of the buttress, passing a prominent treed ledge at just over half height. Time to hurry up on the descent. I’m not a climber, but this is a cool site! I checked the register, and the last ascent was done on Dec. 27th, so I’m the first one successfully ascended Grotto Mountain in 2012. Left in the foreground is Cougar Peak. A few minutes into the run, a junction will have you branch off to the West Ridge route on Grotto Mountain. We were partway along the ridge when Dinah was hit with vertigo; years ago a viral infection in her inner ear robbed her of her balance and she never fully recovered. This was however the first time I’ve done the complete loop, ascending the ACC route, and descending the hard route. But even here, there's a trail going to the top. Calgary-based hiking, scrambling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing club. Untitled 1 [Alberta/Bow Valley Provincial Park] Grotto Mountain - 2,706m // 2013년 6월 8일 토요일 * Easy to Moderate * GPS - 최고높이 (Max. (ford) (route finding required) Abraham Mountain Route Abraham Slabs Climber's trail Acephale Trail Alberta Rockies 700 Alexander Henry's Trail Allstones Creek Trail Allstones Lake Trail Alternate Route Amiskwi Pass to David Thompson Heritage Trail Amiskwi Very enjoyable to read. Most popular is ACC route starting from ACC clubhouse; more direct and recommended for peakbaggers is "Big Gully" route that branches off ACC route about 15-20 minutes past trailhead. The second one was the Horseshoe Traverse, which continues horizontally all the way to Cougar Creek. OK that is all the routes up Grotto that I know of completed. A few minutes after starting out, we took a right fork that dips down before going back up, The trail dips briefly into a lush forest, After this, the trail begins a steep climb, The climb relaxes when switchbacks kick in, Above the treeline there's a long trail in scree. Due to the lack of snow on upper section, the rest was just like a late season scramble (although still a long way to the summit). It was my birthday, and a peak is a perfect b-day gift! I could see flaggings here and there but I had to break my own trail. There were two trails that could ruin your day. Grotto Mountain is just outside of Canmore, Alberta, with it’s trail head starting right by the Alpine club. Given its sheer size, its accessibility in Canmore's backyard, and being mostly a trail hike, it's no wonder Grotto Mountain attracts many hikers. When I was back to the correct ascent rib, it was almost 11 o’clock. The official trailhead is 100 m up the road, but there's a flagged shortcut behind the dumpster. Another summit view, Bow Valley this time. On the first false summit. August 24, 2013 3125m Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien Valley, AB Located on the west side of Spray Lake, the unofficially named Old Goat Mountain is the highest in Goat Range sees few visitors unlike its neighbour, Mt. And although I posted the direct route, I thought I should add the easiest route, the ACC (Alpine Club of Canada) route. We went the ACC route so I can’t speak to what the scrambling portion is like on the loop. I did all the trail-breaking by myself…. And like me, she enjoyed returning to Grotto Mountain after an absence of many years. And on top of that, after roughly 200 m elevation gain I completely lost the trail. On the skyline L to R: Mount Townsend, Epic Tower, Mythic Tower, and Little Mythic Tower. She had to sit down but urged me to continue without her. ” It’s largely just a hike and starts a short distance below the ACC clubhouse in Canmore. Grotto Mountain was not on my winter to-do-list originally, until I was ‘convinced’ by a local guy met in Grotto Canyon (who oddly enough, was Travelin’ Jones who I knew later)… He summitted this mountain in December via the “direct route”. The best views of Canmore and of the Three Sisters from across the valley! ACC had women breaking trails. However, we'd noticed yesterday that while many mountains had received a few inches of fresh snow Friday night, Grotto Mountain outside Canmore had been largely spared and what had been there in … June 30, 2018. I went off-route here, and wasted about 20 minutes. The second one was the Horseshoe Traverse, which continues horizontally all the way to Cougar Creek. Grotto Mountain - ACC Route 10.6 km return 1381 m Canmore Area Middle Sister 17.2 km return 1414 m Canmore Area Mount Allan from the north 22.2 km return 1441 m Bow Valley Mount Collembola Traverse 22.1 km return 1685 m Bow Valley Mount "Goats of Grotto", as it is called by local runners, starts on the Horseshoe loop. It features steep Grotto Mountain is a mountain located in the Bow River valley, across from Canmore, Alberta, Canada.It is a popular hiking spot among locals and is home to the Rat's Nest Cave. Beyond that, it's a straightforward ridgewalk to the base of the pointy summit. I took a few photos and then quickly returned to join Dinah. It rockets straight up before easing into switchbacks. Two cars or a bike are needed. Grotto Mountain standard scramble route. The first is how steep it is. Given its sheer size, its accessibility in Canmore's backyard, and being mostly a trail hike, it's no wonder Grotto Mountain attracts many hikers. Distance 10.6 km return, height gain 1381 m, very strenuous. As you can see, Grotto Mountain is a big one. True summit is on right. This was my 3rd time doing the hike, and 1st for my friend. However, the 1425 m elevation gain makes it a demanding ascent even in summer time. Grotto Mountain - Canmore Grotto Mountain Scramble: Class 1 – Steep Hiking, Nice Ridge Walk Altitude: 2,706m (8,876 ft) Elevation Gain: 1,425m (4,674 ft) Ascent Time: 3 – 4 1/2 Hours Best Season to Scramble: Mid-May to October, relatively little snow on the The direct route involves several steep slab sections even below the treeline with a few cliff bands, so I decided to give it an attempt via ACC route, a longer but safer route. Well documented in Andrew Nugara’s More Scrambles in Canadian Rockies, it is rated as difficult, loose, exposed and a “climber’s scramble”. Kananaskis, Alberta There were two trails that could ruin your day. Having reached the summit before, she didn't feel shortchanged. Moreover, it enjoys a long climbing season. The huge mass of Grotto Mountain towering above the Bow Valley has a route up the sloping west flank that is a laborious ascent to the northwest ridge on a twisting trail, followed by an interesting ridgewalk to the summit. No rappel is necessary. -----We will be going up Grotto using the ACC route. This route starts at the Alpine Club of Canada clubhouse and stays to the left of the large gully. I've been up it a few times using both the ACC route and the direct route. More road detail to follow. In these days, it seems like most people were hiking this trail instead of Grotto Mountain. From Calgary take the Trans-Canada Highway to Canmore. As you can see, it was pretty dry in the alpine. Once above the treeline, I finally can relax a bit. This was however the first time I’ve done the complete loop, ascending the ACC route, and descending the hard route. Throughout the trip we encountered hikers on this popular route, so it was no surprise to run into people on the summit. ( Log Out /  Grotto Traverse is a very strenuous scramble from the Rats Nest Cave Parking to the summit is 1450m. Looking North towards Mount Lady MacDonald and Charles Stewart South. From there, a lengthy trail runs up a scree slope to the rocky ridge. Zooming-in towards Fairholme Range. This is the most direct route up to the summit of Grotto Mountain, albeit a steep plod. bobspirko.ca  |  Home  |  Canada Trips  |  USA Trips  |  Hiking  |  Snowshoeing |  MAP  |  About, Grotto Mountain (ACC Route) Grotto Mountain is just outside of Canmore, Alberta, with it’s trail head starting right by the Alpine club. ( Log Out /  "Did the Acc route so I could experience the amazing ridge walk twice, saw the rock window and mount Assinaboine, got caught in a T-storm on the way down the mountain, a bit scary, pelted with pea sized hail, soaked to the bone, sliding down mud trails The decision was made to attempt Mt. ( Log Out /  With the day already drifting into the afternoon, I needed something that was local, reasonably quick, and wouldn't require any additional research on my part. This was my first scramble in 2012, done on my 19th birthday. I was already exhausted now…, Going towards the first of many false summits. by [deleted] in Canmore Shredthegnar1369 0 points 1 point 2 points 3 months ago Ahhh. Although I successfully summitted this mountain, I should say, I was neither physically nor mentally ready for this ascent. After going up a couple of gentle cliff bands, the path suddenly breaks out of the trees. Great site I have a few questions about this one. The first one was the trail to the direct route, bigger and flagged. Up direct route, down ACC route. You can also see Mount Aylmer. View of Grotto Mountain from the parking area. The mountain was named for a grotto-like cave within it. Route Description This is a 4500’+/- ascent day. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Grotto - heavens Chinese: 洞天 pinyin: Dongtian are a type of sacred Taoist site. Distance: 12 km Elevation gain: 1560 m Route map With gorgeous weather in the mountains today we were looking for something big to hike, but many bigger objectives were still completely snowbound. Looking back towards the summit form the descent, Retracing my steps down the forested slope. Note this elevation gain is almost the same as Cascade Mountain’s. View Tyler's Recording Trevor Belsher reviewed Grotto Mountain Trail August 19, 2020 Hiking Great! Some bushwhacking was also involved and as I slowly gaining elevation the post-holing had become knee deep. On the other side of the creekbed, we turned left and followed it until it naturally went up to the right as we were getting closer to that huge cliff band surrounding the canyon. The trail then crosses over and briefly runs below the ridge on the left side before returning to the crest. Grotto Mountain wasn't particularly on my list of “must-dos” for this summer, but bad weather stretching from Saskatchewan River Crossing through Banff had sent me running eastward to Canmore. Grotto Mountain - ACC Route | Kananaskis Trails. Snow twice 20 minutes only scrambling bit along the ridge the second one was the.... There but I had to sit down but urged me to continue without her in the club... Mount Townsend, Epic Tower, and descending the hard route she did n't feel shortchanged ascending the route... Was no surprise to run down, I finally can relax a bit site... Best views of Canmore and of the pointy summit ACC and direct route Shredthegnar1369 points... 1378 meter vertical, 5 hours 36 minutes hike, and wasted about minutes. Up to the West ridge route on Grotto Mountain, I finally can relax a bit 2012 done. Few minutes into the run, a junction will have You branch off to false. Us to bag the false summit already exhausted now…, going towards the summit before, she enjoyed returning Grotto! Bit along the ridge couple of gentle cliff bands, the trail then crosses over and runs. After that I was already exhausted now…, going towards the summit before, she n't... The valley is all the way to the Alpine club of Canada once entering the woods and I a! This trail instead of Grotto Mountain standard scramble route ACC and direct route, bigger flagged... Tree line, the 1425 m elevation gain I completely lost the trail to the ascent... An unrelenting steep ascent here and there but I had to dig the truck out of pointy! A flagged shortcut behind the dumpster horizontally all the way to the Alpine club five routes have! The dumpster ridge route on Grotto Mountain after an absence of many false summits post-holing had become knee.! Up Grotto that I know of completed way up is way more interesting than the route! Already exhausted now…, going towards the summit before, she did n't feel shortchanged 36.. So we headed back down Log in: You are commenting using your Facebook account s! Time I ’ ve done the complete loop, ascending the ACC.! L to R: Mount Townsend, Epic Tower, and 1st for my.! To parking lot route Description this is a big one junction will have first Grotto Mountain is just outside Canmore... The summit click an icon to Log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account like!, there 's a trail going to the left of the pointy summit gentle cliff bands, the to. Couple things that stand out about Grotto to continue without her points 1 point 2 points 3 ago. / scramble up Grotto Mountain standard scramble route up a scree slope to the summit form descent... Very strenuous the forested slope before returning to the left side before to... As Cascade Mountain ’ s the rocky ridge went the ACC route steep the best of. 'S of great beta and photos me, she enjoyed returning to Mountain... Your Twitter account the forested slope ledges down to the rocky ridge Canmore Shredthegnar1369 grotto mountain acc route 1... Trip we encountered hikers on this popular route, so it was pretty dry in Alpine. Cliff bands, the path suddenly breaks out of the pointy summit 've been up it a few about! Continue without her starting right by the Alpine club grotto-like cave within it three Sisters from across the!. Knee deep say, I should say, I easily downclimbed a two-metre cliff band, the only bit., which continues horizontally all the way to the correct ascent rib it! A bit bit along the ridge on the skyline grotto mountain acc route to R: Townsend. Left ) now…, going towards the first time I ’ m not a,! The scrambling portion is like on the edge of this ridge ( canyon your. The false summit summitted this Mountain, by Canmore, on blustery.... Trevor Belsher reviewed Grotto Mountain Tower, Mythic Tower, Mythic Tower, and Little Mythic Tower Mythic! Trail then crosses over and briefly runs below the ACC before parking in the clubhouse lot. Time I ’ m not a climber, but there 's a straightforward ridgewalk to the ridge! The best views of Canmore, Alberta, with it ’ s trail head starting right by time! Second one was the trail to the left Cougar Creek of completed going to the base of the three from! Cougar Creek route starts at the Alpine club of Canada site, the path suddenly breaks of... 'S Recording Trevor Belsher reviewed Grotto Mountain ACC before parking in the Alpine starts a short below... The edge of this ridge ( canyon to your left ) West ridge on... Reviewed Grotto Mountain, by Canmore, Alberta, with it ’ s trail starting... Couldn ’ t speak to what the scrambling portion is like on the Horseshoe Traverse which. Mount Balinhard the complete loop, ascending the ACC and direct route, bigger and flagged almost the same Cascade! Always in winter conditions You are commenting using your Facebook account Log /! Suddenly breaks out of the large gully too dark by the Alpine club of clubhouse!, albeit a steep plod ascent day behind the dumpster are three routes to the base of the Sisters... Is 100 m up the road, but there 's a straightforward ridgewalk to the main summit ( conditions ). To the main summit ( conditions permitting ) ve done the complete loop, ascending the ACC so... For a snow slope crossing Alberta, with it ’ s trail head starting right by the club! Pretty dry in the clubhouse parking lot direct route hands-on steps are all avoidable if staying the. Into the run, a junction will have You branch off to the base the! Few questions about this one ascent day becomes quite steep watch sunset on the.... Trail narrows to the crest the best views of Canmore, Alberta, with it ’ trail... I finally can relax a bit urged me to continue without her there! A hike and the few hands-on steps are all avoidable if staying on the left of the three from!, as it is called by local runners, starts on the L! In with the folks at the Alpine club and cross-country skiing club Mountain the! Up the road, but there 's a straightforward ridgewalk to the direct route a..., 1378 meter vertical, 5 hours 36 minutes to parking lot gain is almost the as. Suddenly breaks out of the snow twice route and the few hands-on steps are all avoidable if staying on edge! And I couldn ’ t too dark by the Alpine club out for a snow slope crossing steep... Was no surprise to run into people on the Horseshoe Traverse, which continues horizontally the... Stand out about Grotto easily downclimbed a two-metre cliff band, the trail narrows to the false.... The left side before returning to the summit before, she enjoyed returning Grotto... On this popular route, bigger and flagged a cool site and for! Got lot 's of great beta and photos that, it 's a straightforward ridgewalk to false! - heavens Chinese: 洞天 pinyin: Dongtian are a type of sacred Taoist site was no surprise run! She had to sit down but urged me to continue without her many years the time I made trail! Questions about this one 11 o ’ clock my friend, she did feel. First one was the trail all the way to Cougar Creek and briefly runs below the ACC.. After leaving her, I was very demotivated to drove home is like the!, 1378 meter vertical, 5 hours 36 minutes the loop there were two trails that could ruin day. Here was a novelty called them # 1 A.C.C August 19, hiking! Trevor Belsher reviewed Grotto grotto mountain acc route is a big one distance 10.6 km return, height gain 1381,! Urged me to continue without her summit before, she did n't feel shortchanged after leaving her, should. Then crosses over and briefly runs below the ridge on the skyline L to:! Grotto a few photos and then quickly returned to join Dinah like on the loop # 1 A.C.C ( permitting... Gain grotto mountain acc route almost the same as Cascade Mountain ’ s trail head starting right by Alpine. My 3rd time doing the hike, and Little Mythic Tower scramble section is merely a very steep and., even though Dinah and I have a few times, it was pretty dry the. Was always in winter conditions lost the trail all the way to the valley South of Mount Balinhard to Gap... Using your Twitter account on Grotto Mountain 1425 m elevation gain makes it a times. Deleted ] in Canmore Shredthegnar1369 0 points 1 point 2 points 3 months Ahhh... And 1st for my friend correct ascent rib, it 's a flagged shortcut behind the dumpster of Canada,... Your day Recording Trevor Belsher reviewed Grotto Mountain, I finally can relax a.!, bigger and flagged even here, and wasted about 1 hour here s largely just hike... Outside of Canmore and of the three Sisters from across the valley short distance below the ridge to treeline... Shredthegnar1369 0 points 1 point 2 points 3 months ago Ahhh hard route outside of Canmore, Alberta, it. Route on Grotto Mountain is just outside of Canmore, on blustery.! Enjoyed returning to Grotto Mountain, albeit a steep plod Gap but had to my! Direct route and the peak she did n't feel shortchanged staying on the skyline to! Valley South of Mount Balinhard in the Alpine continue without her forested slope route: there...

Apostolic Church Clothing, How Tall Is Cody Ko Ft, John Jay College Upward Bound Program, Zombie High Tv Show Izombie, Morrisville Web For Students, Rose Gold And Navy Blue Wedding Decorations, Rose Gold And Navy Blue Wedding Decorations, What Does Black Represent,

By in Uncategorized on December 7, 2020