We all chuckled at my request before our guide’s countenance and accepting nod confirmed the legitimacy of it. She promptly demonstrated the steps to release the bear spray and the motion in which my arm should move to be most effective in warding off grumpy bears. Then we put on our packs and proceeded up the mountain side.

 

Our trail had a moderate incline for much of our hike outward, but on several occasions, we had to ascend rather steeply over sharp rocks. Our efforts were rewarded steadily as we took time at openings in the trees or at the mountain’s edge to look down upon the town of Canmore and its neighbouring reservoir. Upward we went, stopping briefly at a stunning waterfall that fell in many separate parts in a white spray that scattered across a large section of the mountain side.

 

Soon after, it began to rain and we took cover under pine trees, where the ground was still dry to the touch. There we enjoyed our lunch and conversed on what we saw and wondered aloud about what lied ahead. From our vantage point, we looked upon a beautiful mountain lake, rich with colours: blue, turquoise, and bright green.

 

Upward we climbed away from the lake and through a closed section of the trail. Our best guess on why this portion of the trail was closed was to allow Parks Canada to rebuild path infrastructure––wooden platforms and steps––to replace those that were washed away in either an avalanche or rock slide. Finally, we made it to our objective and gazed upon ancient native paintings on a huge rock protruding upward from the mountain. After taking one last, long look of the scenery around us, we made our descent down the path and back to the car, where we arrived safely.