Rockies :: Canmore and Bow Valley :: Grotto Creek Canyon

Initial part of the canyon before the waterfalls.  Usually impassable during spring runoffs (bypass trail in the forest on right side)

December 31, 2020

North side of Bow Valley has several canyons that penetrate deep into ridges of Fairholme Range. Grotto Creek Canyon is one of these, and well known family hike starting from Grotto Pond day use area on 1A just west of Exshaw. Winter is the time to go because of couple of frozen waterfalls, popular with ice climbers. It is also good choice on a windy day because you are completely shielded.

Trail leaves the parking lot on west side by large interpretive sign (first photo in gallery) and follows the powerline  for about a kilometer passing Baymag Plant along the way.  (Quarry on right side ~10 min from parking is usual trailhead for Gap Peak scramble).  Nice but often windy park bench with great views of Grotto Mountain east side is directly above canyon entrance;  descend and turn sharp right.  This part is bit more rough now after historic 2013 floods, but still mostly hands in your pockets.  It is also good spot to put micro-spikes in winter as at least some part of the canyon will be icy.  Continue easily past couple of bends for ~15 minutes to the "waterfalls" -- lower canyon hub and usual turnaround point for families.  During spring runoffs last part (lead photo on this page) might be impassable because of high water, but good bypass trail exists in the forest above right (east) canyon wall.  Side steep canyon/gully to right side of the waterfalls leads to popular ice climbing area; it can be quite entertaining watching the climbers polishing their skills, but please respect their privacy as too much attention can be quite annoying.

Past the waterfalls canyon soon widens up and heads in northerly direction.  "Hoodoo Cave" is found on left (west) side soon by;  even if not exploring upper canyon, it is worth going at least to here (Abstract Stats are given for Hoodoo Cave return). Carefully scramble to cave entrance if you feel so inclined, but be mindful of the rockfall.  Trail continues into upper canyon but gets progressively less defined although way is obvious.  Forks are reached ~1hr past the waterfalls.  Left branch leads steeply to the col between main block of Grotto Mountain and prominent Outlier on the east side, but steep cliffs in upper part of this gully place it in technical domain.  Main branch continues to the right towards Fable mountain mostly parallel to "Gable" ridge.  It might be possible to scramble up at the end and intersect Grotto - Fable ridge system (then possible loop back via Mythic / Cougar Canyon), but I have not verified feasibility of this adventure.

Gallery

The Waterfalls Frozen "His" and "Hers" Waterfalls as canyon bends sharp left.  This is the usual family hike turnaround point