Rockies :: Canmore and Bow Valley :: Rats Nest Cave

Gated Entrance to Rats Nest Cave along Grotto Creek Rocky Drainage

May 27, 2021

Rats Nest Cave is pretty famous. In 1987 it was designated a Provincial Historic Resource because of its incredible archaeological significance. The cave is currently ranked the 13th longest (4,005 metres) and 18th deepest (245 metres) in Canada. It is on lower south slopes of Grotto Mtn, some 6km east of Canmore. This is not one of these docile caves you can casually walk in and look around; it is tight, narrow and basically technical terrain. You are not allowed to go by yourself and cave is gated; you need to hike professional licensed guide, such as Canmore Cave Tours. Even if not planning visit to the cave, approach hike is interesting enough;  with added option of exploring the upper canyon, and loop return via East Grotto Mtn Carter Route it is well worth as few hours leg stretcher.   Note that terrain, while not particularly difficult, is fairly demanding and not casual walk in the park.

Parking is at unsigned pull-out off Bow Valley Parkway (1A) ~6km east of Canmore.  It will be just past Grotto blasting quarry on north (left if coming from Canmore) side of the road.  Trail starts at west side of parking area and is easily followed;  first across large washout area, then moderately steep switchbacks to powerline.  This is important junction;  do not continue up on trail on the other side - this is Grotto Carter Route.  Instead turn right onto powerline, then immediately after crossing rocky drainage find good trail on left (north) side.  This trail is easily followed to Cave entrance;  initially through the forest and last part in creek bed.  There are couple of ropes here; not necessary when dry, but probably helpful when wet or icy.  Within 30-40 min after leaving the parking you come to end of trail;  cave is on right side -- see gallery.  Interesting enough, just to get to the entrance requires rope! (sign of things to come if going into the cave).

For hikers, exploring upper canyon above the cave is great fun.  Couple of rough sections are avoided by bushwhacking in the forest on climber left.  Finally you get to ~3.5 m high rock step right in creek bed;  this is the turning point (see gallery).  If dry this impasse could be scrambled (difficult) but it is not worth as terrain gets quite difficult above and you'd probably have to turn back right away.  Better option is to scramble wall on right (east) side then trash up to very neat grotto above.  It is quite peaceful and pristine.  Obvious cave is probably very interesting too, but requires climbing up ~4m of difficult (class 5) rock to access ledge - rope is required.  On return back to Rats Nest Cave it is possible to trash up steep skier right wall then descend via Grotto Carter Route down to Powerline and back to parking.

Gallery

Cave Entrance Locked Iron Gate to Rats Nest Cave Entrance