Snake Indian Falls - Video!

After teasing this video in some of my compilations since the start of 2015, I've finally completed a video for my favorite trip in the Rockies!  Having tackled this on bike three times, once alone, I can finally say after my trip in 2014 that I've come back successful!

As mentioned in the write up in July of last year, I wasn't able to properly film the entire trip.  I opted to complete the bike ride, over spending the extra energy filming.  This came as a necessity since by the end of the 11 hour day of straight biking, I was exhausted.  This said, I did have the camera out for some pieces of the trip, not forgetting that my goal was to share this with everyone.  However without having enough to put a full trip together, the video is actually a compilation itself of the three trips I've taken.

Canmore (Upper) Falls

August 28, 2015

The last time I was at the dog park in Canmore I was searching around on the Highline Trail.  While out and about along the trail passing by the bikers, my girlfriend and little friendly fluff ball were playing in the park with other dogs.  They picked up on the scent of a nearby spring that drops a small waterfall into a creek.  This day I set out to search for this waterfall.  Sadly I didn't find the spring (Grassi Spring Falls) I sought, instead what I believed to be the waterfall they spoke of, was actually another waterfall along Canmore Creek.  I now believe I uncovered where this separate trail to the spring exists among the forest of the Quarry Lake Park.

Silverhorn Falls

August 28, 2015

A roadside waterfall that is kind of hard to spot.  Thanks to the paving that was occurring on the highway I was able to look up and notice this unsuspecting waterfall dropping down the side of Silverhorn Mountain.  The good news is the construction in ongoing and created a new pull over parking spot.  My GPS may be off here as I was not expecting to capture much less witness a waterfall at this juncture.  For those looking to explore this area, it`s the first pull over, north of Peyto Lake.

Mistaya Canyon Falls

August 28, 2015

The last time, and only other time, that I've attempted this trail was during a harsh winter.  As a result my only other impression of this area was covered in a blanket of snow.  This caused me to write this off, believing that the waterfall was covered under the white stuff and not visible until summer.

Norman Creek Falls

August 27, 2015

This is a hike I've always wanted to try out.  With a naming convention of Sunset Pass, it made me want to sit the peak as the sun was setting.  I had my chance this time as I would be nearing the end of the day.  Other naming conventions of this trail could be called; Norman Creek or Pinto Lake Trail.

Wilson Falls

August 27, 2015

I've passed this waterfall so many times I can't count.  Each time I went past at highway speeds thinking that I might have been crazy for thinking there was a waterfall on Mount Wilson.  This time I would pull alongside the gravel on the highway and prove my assumptions correct.  An impressive waterfall being permanently pushed aside by the wind as it drops an incredible distance.  Wilson Falls may be hard to see, but is a strong plunge falls in Banff's North.

Thompson Falls

August 27, 2015

I've driven past many times but have never quite attempted this creek.  Though closer to the road looks uninviting for waterfalls, there is one after a 1Km hike up the creek.  The only awkward news is the parking arrangement to access this waterfall. at the Thompson Creek Campground.

Big Bend Falls

August 13, 2015

This roadside waterfall is found on the hairpin that is "The Big Bend" at the northern most tip of Banff National Park.  The last time I came to photograph this was in the winter when it was covered in snow and hard to distinct between the volleys of snow that year.

This time it being summer I was able to pick up on the waterfall with no problem.  Thunderous even in the late summer season, this is a powerful drop of a waterfall.  Big Bend Falls (named after the road counterpart) is only drowned out by the numerous amount of traffic in the area.

Sofa Creek Falls

August 11, 2015

Despite some of these recent waterfalls being added bonuses, Sofa Creek was one I sought out.  Sadly though I put this off to the last day as I was leaving, as a result of me believing this was visible from the road.  Though there is a large enough pull-in parking lot, and there are signs that speak to the region, the view of the waterfall is nothing more than a starlight twinkle.

Also without a major zoom lens this is as close as I could perceive the waterfall.  I'm now lead to believe that Wishbone Trail may be a better suited view of the waterfall, giving you a closer access to the mountain.

Quick and Dirty

August 9, 2015

Easily noticed on the road to Cameron Lake, and yet hardly noticed as a waterfall.  Passed by bikers on their trail that runs along Cameron Lake Road.  Known by the ice climbing community as Quick and Dirty the water in summer months is down to a slow very fine trickle off the edge of Mount Crandell.  Though not impossible, for me to get down here in Winter is difficult.  As a result this will have to suffice until that day.  For now I realized there is a pull over spot off the highway next to this waterfall, though I'm unaware if this is maintained in the winter.

Lineham Falls

August 9, 2015

The stop on the road after the Oil Exhibit on the way to Cameron Lake, Lineham is actually a short hike but quite a high elevation climb.  I packed my girlfriend and puppy in the car to tackle this hike with full anticipation of switchbacks through the first kilometer to climb the height.  Sadly I didn't get that ideal condition.

Carthew Falls / Buchanan Falls / Bertha Spring Falls

August 8, 2015

Quite possibly one of the biggest elevation inclines I've faced.  I would start my hike from town at the site of Cameron Falls and travel up in the height of the Rockies to Carthew Lakes following Alderson-Carthew Trail.  Truth be told I thought I would also uncover a waterfall for Alderson Lakes, although that didn't appear to be true, I did uncover one more in Buchanan Falls.

Blakiston Falls

August 7, 2015

A common nearly roadside waterfall.  Blakiston Falls is only one kilometer of a hike in the Red Rock Canyon valley.  Though after the first parking lot area you tend to be submerged in the forest, the trip is short and the view of the waterfall is splendid from both afar and up close.

Mount Blakiston Falls

August 7, 2015

When I pulled in to start my short hike to Blakiston Falls, I was treated to a view of a waterfall dropping down the face of one of the peaks near Mount Blakiston.  Though the peak appears nameless, and the creek that drops down from its top also contains no name, I gave this the name of Mount Blakiston Falls to distinguish it from the waterfall nearby.

Vimy Falls (Irish Dream)

August 7, 2015

My return to Waterton Lakes National Parks for the first time since 2013!  As I pulled into the park early before my camp site was available for me, I planned to do some easy hikes to waterfalls in the park.  I would pull over on the road towards Balkiston Falls and the Red Rock Canyon.  On the spare chance my girlfriend pointed out a waterfall on a mountain I didn't expect to contain one.  The glimmer of the water on a bright sunny day gave-way to Vimy Falls.

Though it's thin this waterfall drops for almost the entire mountain, even though I arrived late in the higher water flow season.  Also the distance from my pull over sight was immense and in need of a much better zoom lens.  I would recommend crossing the highway and heading into to the field where you might be able to take in the waterfall better than I have to offer here.

Update: just discovered that this is an ice climb in winter months; known to the ice climbing community as Irish Dream.

Elizabeth Falls

July 26, 2015

The idea on this adventure was to complete a quick and simple day trip; the bike route around Mt. Shark offered just that.  There would be two of my friends joining me on this bike trip and we would explore these wide trails on our mountain bikes for roughly six kilometers and another 800 meters on foot to the Karst Spring.

Don't let the word spring put you off doing this trail, as the size of these cascading waterfalls were thunderous for being brought on by a spring.  Once I made it to the placard at the end of the trail, it would explain how Karst Springs are formed.  Although let it be known that the spring is powerful enough that it must be the cause of Watridge Lake!

Spring Lake Falls & Entry Creek Cascades

July 23, 2015

I would return to the Pinto Lake Trail and attempt once more to venture along the many creeks in search of waterfalls.  Once again I would aim for the Entry Creek and Lake of the Falls looking for tributaries and reminisce of waterfalls.

Unlike past trips I brought a multi-day pack to attempt overnights in the area in order to cover more grounds (read my earlier write up of O.D Falls along this hike).  Over all I would achieve 12 Km from the staging area and along Entry Creek; though I would fall short of the Entry Creek Falls, I didn't come back empty handed.

O.D Falls

July 23, 2015

During the higher water flow season I set off on Pinto Lake Trail with a goal to capture as many waterfalls as possible along the various side trails.  I once again stopped at O.D creek and even found another path above the creek on a ridge.  

The water seems to create two falls below the bridge.  There appears to be a smaller upper falls (Below) and a much more prominent lower falls into the Cline River (above; as best as I could muster).

Only 2.2 Kilometers in on your hike you will cross this creek.  The sad news is there isn't a good view of the waterfall.  The reason for this is because you are standing atop the spot where the falls occur and the over growth of trees causes a great deal of coverage looking down on the creek.  I'll have to explore the view from the Coral Creek trail to see if this offers a better broad view.

(Morro) Hawk Canyon Falls

July 10, 2015

Once again back in Jasper, and once more doing the search for this elusive canyon I'm told about.  The word of mouth ice climbing community has pointed me in this direction, and I find myself back with my puppy attempting this bike path once more.  My initial goals were to venture on a number of trails in the Maligne Lake region, however overnight Jasper received a lightning strike along Excelsior Creek (where I planned to spend the night had I left on time the day prior).  This marks the second time this trail has become my back-up plan.

Though I would love to make this trail a Plan A - with my bike!

Ogre Canyon

June 27, 2015

This remote location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains have some of the most stunning, awe inspiring views.  Standing high enough in the mountain, at times, to see eye-level with the peaks in the distance offers a view not found often enough on the Alberta side of the Rockies.

Like the last time I went out this way, I would travel through the small village of Brulé.  Once you reach the gate at the other end of the village you will start a rough 8 Kilometers of rugged off road.  Unlike many of the fire roads I've come across in the mountains, this path is by far the most rugged I've seen to date.  The last four kilometers alone took me 45 minutes in my Subaru Imprezza.  Note: please close the gates behind you!