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Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

Table Mountain

Discover the diverse landscape of Southern Alberta across mountain ranges, badlands, native grasslands, canyons, and coulees. Walk back in history at the site of the tragic Frank rockslide, hike amongst the hoodoos along the Milk River, or experience one of the world’s most exciting trails with a boat shuttle to the trailhead in Waterton. This, and more, awaits you on your hiking tour around Southern Alberta. possible to follow the ridge on Turtle Mountain to reach the higher south summit where the slide began.

Crowsnest Pass Step back in time to explore the area around the Frank Slide, Canada’s deadliest rockslide. There are options for all abilities here as you hike through and above the giant slide path.

Turtle Mountain and the area around the Frank Slide Known by the First Nations as the “mountain that moves,” Turtle Mountain is responsible for the rockslide of 1903 that buried the small mining town of Frank with over 100 million tonnes of rock. Learn more and take some short pathways at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.

If you want to climb Turtle Mountain be prepared for loose scree, steep hiking, and some exposure. Hiking poles and good sturdy boots will be your best friends on this adventure along with solid route finding skills.

Castle Provincial Park Explore Castle Provincial Park, Alberta’s newest designated provincial park located near Pincher Creek.

Table Mountain rises above Beaver Mines Lake where there’s a nice campground with 5 rustic cabins and 90+ sites for RVs and tents. And some darn good fishing!

Table Mountain is a 10 km return hike with 800 m of height gain. It is a great for fit hikers who can handle a steep climb. The hike takes you to a wide flat-topped plateau where you can either go left towards the Western Plateau or right towards the true summit. Either direction provides jaw-dropping views down to the lake as you peer over the edge of sheer cliffs.

Expect some route finding and watch for trail markers through sections of loose scree. I recommend hiking poles for the steep descent along with a good pair of boots. This mountain is also very exposed along the plateau so avoid it on windy days.

Waterton Lakes National Park Discover beautiful waterfalls and marvel in the abundance of wildflowers found in this park.

Crypt Lake is rated as one of the World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails, the Crypt Lake trailhead is reached by a 15 min boat ride across Upper Waterton Lake. Tickets can be purchased at the marina from the Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. and it’s recommended that you get your tickets at least an hour in advance (or even the day before.)

The Crypt Lake Trail is an 18 km return hike with 700 m of elevation gain. Highlights of this hike include 4 spectacular waterfalls, a ladder climb to a 18 m tunnel you’ll hike through, an exposed ledge with cable hand line, and finally the lake itself, hidden in a hanging valley. Going further, a rough track circles the lake where you cross the US border into Montana. Expect steep hiking past the third set of falls and be bear-aware at all times. Bring bear spray, hike in a group, and make lots of noise throughout your hike.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park Hike through a landscape of hoodoos, coulees, sandstone cliffs, and prairie grasslands as you explore the Alberta Badlands.

The Hoodoo Trail takes you on a search for petroglyphs and pictographs etched and painted on the rock along the trail. The hike has a few with stairs and steep sections, but it’s a great trail for those camping at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

The 4.5 km return hike is very family-friendly, and kids will have fun scrambling on the rocks beside the trail. Note that the trail can get exceptionally hot in summer, so I recommend waking up early for this one and then spending the afternoon at the campground beach. You can also cool off by floating down the river from the campground down to the beach.

For those wanting to camp, you’ll find a great campground here with 60+ sites, some with power, two group use areas, and three canvas wall tents for comfort camping. Photos and Story By: Tanya Koob

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