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Rockies :: Canmore and Bow Valley ::

Ha Ling - Miners Peak

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Summit view from Ha Ling. EEOR center left, Canmore and peaks on north side of Bow Valley right

Various Dates, last May 3, 2023

Together with Lady MacDonald on north side of Bow Valley, Ha Ling is most frequently climbed Canmore area peak.  It used to be called "Chinaman Peak" - the story is that some Chinese cook in early Canmore days made a wager he'd climb the peak and be back to townsite in 10 hours; this was in the days when Smith-Dorrien did not exist & you had to hike all the way from Bow Valley!   Today ascent is much more tame;  you drive to Goat parking lot and walk up to the summit.  Although officially listed as scramble in A. Kane book, many feet have trodden the backside over the years and as result there is wide trail that makes all difficulties non-existent. It is still reasonably steep and sections have eroded making the descent sometimes awkward.  Views are naturally fantastic and this is good candidate for after-dinner leg stretcher in long summer days to watch the sunset behind Rundle range. Worthy extension is ridgewalk to Miners peak  below Lawrence Grassi.  Most hikers seem to head for Ha Ling only, so you might find some solitude as well!  Trip is feasible year round, but beware of icy trail and potential of corniced connecting ridge.

From Goat Creek parking lot cross the road, head up the ramp and cross bridge over the channel. Trailhead is marked by plaque in large rock. Trail plunges in trees, heads directly up then makes couple of large switchbacks before reaching the treeline.  Odd section is narrow and you might need to make use of your hiking pole for stability. Depending on your pace, you will reach treeline within 1 - 1 1/2 hours.  Trail is most eroded in this part.  Low point of ridge directly above is the saddle between Ha Ling and Miners Peak.  For Ha Ling continue along the main trail. Couple of slabs present easy challenge near the summit.  For Miners peak it is possible to follow the ridge crest to the saddle, then ascend trail beaten in scree to the summit.  Large plateau below towering Lawrence Grassi is excellent spot for the break as Miners summit is a bit narrow.  On descent follow the trail from the saddle directly to main Ha Ling trail.

In summer of 2019 City of Canmore has performed major trail re-routing in order to address erosion resulting from heavy trail usage.  Switchbacks are now wider, and there is set of wooden stairs with chain railings as trail exits alpine below Ha Ling/Miners saddle. 

Gallery

Trailhead Memorial Plaque marking the trailhead at Goat Creek

Miners Panorama Lawrence Grassi from saddle directly below Miners Peak