From there you can wander towards the cirque – and decide how far up you want to travel. Route finding on this trail can be challenging, and it seems we regularly meet other hikers who are lost. Fossils and little waterfalls await at the far end of the meadow, watched over by dramatic, jagged peaks. The trail is really obvious in here as it weaves through open areas and then alongside the creek itself. On September 30, 2018 we’ll be celebrating the end of our Strive for 5 series with a hike to Rummel Lake. Arethusa Cirque is one of the best larch hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Ptarmigan Cirque will be packed with people, this Cirque, right next door, should be less busy. @Cindy The good news is that the snow really didn’t last for more than a day and it sure added a different dimension to the hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/arethusa-cirque-route These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Read: Tips for Staying Safe in Bear Country. Our goal was the easy Arethusa Cirque hike where we’d been told we’d find larches in all their fall glory. Arethusa Cirque is a beautiful, less travelled trail that takes you to a lovely alpine meadow ringed with larches. The path through the meadow will lead you to Ptarmigan Cirque (a bowl-like structure created by surrounding mountains) itself. A post shared by Hunter Scrimshaw (@hscrimshaw) on Sep 23, 2020 at 6:41pm PDT. Get a guided tour of the. Alpine Larches mid September - See 6 traveler reviews, 27 candid photos, and great deals for Kananaskis Country, Canada, at Tripadvisor. A post shared by Yaz (@yazmine.m.photography) on Sep 25, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT. I have never seen anything like it. But you don't have to walk to far or too high up to get away from the highway and its noise, and on… You’d want to take the left fork of the trail when it crosses the creek and work your way to the western part of the lower slope where from all reports there is a good trail to the top. Arethusa Cirque hike is one of my favorites and highly recommend this hike best in summer in full bloom from the wildflowers or in fall when the larch trees are turning color before dropping their needles for the winter. ... Little Arethusa and Arethusa Cirque (Kananaskis) 4.8km rt. Turn north into the larch forest for the south summit of Mount Arethusa (aka Little Arethusa). Arethusa Cirque with Little Arethusa on the horizon Most folks who visit Arethusa Cirque follow a circuit but for those a little more adventuresome, there is the option to climb Little Arethusa which in my opinion looks a lot taller than it did in 2012 when we scaled this hill. However, I was stunned by Arethusa. So make sure to get enough of it to last until next September. Pick up a copy of the Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes map here. Arethusa Cirque is another challenging hike for kids and a great place to “hunt for larches”. (@bomdiacanada), A post shared by Yaz (@yazmine.m.photography), A post shared by Sonja Kolstad (@doulainthewild), A post shared by Hunter Scrimshaw (@hscrimshaw), Check out the 0.1 km interpretive trail at the beginning or end of the hike to learn more about unique alpine meadows and high altitude larch trees. The hike covers over 4.2 km of trail and 330 m of elevation. https://explorekananaskis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ek-mainlogo-green-1.png, https://explorekananaskis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ek-ptarmigan.jpg, A post shared by Bom dia, Canadá! Arethusa Cirque is one such hike in Kananaskis. So if you’re with children or a slightly older dog, don’t think you’ve read mistaken advice, the trail will level out in no time! @Mandy And I have you to thank for telling me about it. A post shared by Sonja Kolstad (@doulainthewild) on Sep 23, 2020 at 4:18pm PDT. We did and the dusting of snow added a beauty to the hike – without causing any extra appreciable difficulty. It was a perfect autumn day with a bright sun and a big blue sky. Larch season in the Canadian can be unpredictable in timing and short lived given our tumultuous weather patterns but typically they start to turn from green to yellow the middle of September and (barring no heavy wind, rain or snow storms) will last until mid-October. Because of the snow, the trail was muddy and slippery in areas but still very manageable. You want easy larches? Encounter the Cirque The path through the meadow will lead you to Ptarmigan Cirque (a bowl-like structure created by surrounding mountains) itself. ... to view the stunning Alpine Larches as their needles go yellow, most of the groups in the valley were families with little kids. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. Not even 1 km from the trailhead, it's a sea of larches, 2 beautiful streams, and spectacular mountain backdrops. Remember to turn around at any moment as the epic view of the valley in all its autumn ‘larchness’ is there whenever you want it. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Want to spend more time enjoying the beauty of the mountains? It is an informal area, no paved parking, no developed or maintained trail. While the hike isn’t marked, it’s easy to follow. ... to view the stunning Alpine Larches as their needles go yellow, most of the groups in the valley were families with little kids. Whether […], Your email address will not be published. It’s about a kilometre from treeline to get into the cirque. The base of the Cirque marks the apex of the Ptarmigan Loop trail, so if you’re not doing the scramble up Mount Rae, continue along the path. Up near Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country, Arethusa Cirque is an easy hike with a couple of options to make it shorter or longer as your fitness or schedule permits. I highly recommend it but do go prepared as this is grizzly bear country and everyone should carry a can of bear spray that is under two year’s old. On this day John and I were more interested in capturing the larches in their glory. The switchback nature of the elevation on the trail make it more accessible than a straight uphill slog would be. once back on the cirque route, followed the flagging tape with a keen eye. Arethusa Cirque is less popular than Ptarmigan Cirque, likely because a few short, but very steep sections may prevent some from enjoying this fall larch hike. If it’s a nice day or a weekend there is a good chance you’ll see other cars parked in a large informal dirt parking lot. Visit in summer to see wildflowers and splash in the creek, or autumn to enjoy the golden larch trees. Arethusa Cirque – a family-friendly larch hike For a short, relatively easy outing from the Highwood Pass area you would do well to choose Arethusa Cirque. Image Credit: Amanda McNally, Life in Alberta. The juxtaposition of golden trees against the ever-green of their cousins is stunning up close. Gorgeous photos, Leigh! Here’s what to expect on the Ptarmigan Cirque trail. Tryst Lake. On the way up to the cirque, pass a tarn and then head for treeline on a trail through talus slopes. Once at treeline the trails go all over the place so look up and to your right (east) and start making your own way up and over a couple of talus filled hills to gain the high point. If you make a purchase via one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. While the overall gain in elevation is moderate on this hike, the bulk of it occurs within the first kilometer of the trail. Larches tend to grow in cold climates and mountainous areas and need a lot of moisture so the Canadian Rockies are perfect for them. Crossed the creek & went up the Larch Trail. This is … Hikers will encounter small wildlife and waterfalls and can even choose to scramble up the base of Mount Rae. Learn how your comment data is processed. We did and the dusting of snow added a beauty to the hike – without causing any extra appreciable difficulty. Our goal was the easy Arethusa Cirque hike where we’d been told we’d find larches in all their fall glory. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When you reach the tarn, you get the first inkling of the visual treat that’s in store. And Ptarmigan Cirque right at the pass is OK larch viewing. It’s a short, steep … One minute down the road from Ptarmigan Cirque, Arethusa Cirque is another kid-friendly larch hike in Kananaskis Country near the Highwood Pass. Highwood Pass larch hikes with Kananaskis Outfitters. I briefly considered Mount Arethusa, but it’s a full-on committed scramble for people with a lot of climbing experience. The Kananaskis Valley in all its glory is your feast for the eyes, with the golden splash of larches in the autumn creating a unique vista, as you quickly forget the taxing initial ascent. Storm/Arethusa Ridge from the larch forrest. The trailhead is located approximately 1.25 kilometres south of the Highwood Pass parking lot on the east side of Highway 40. Minimal effort, larches just beginning to turn golden, and a great view. ... Arethusa Cirque. On this trail, you can look forward to vibrant larches, a picturesque alpine meadow and sweeping vistas with dramatic peaks. Otherwise, follow the draw straight along the meadow for the cirque portion. The temperature at the pass was +18. We were thankful that we came prepared with all the right clothes (always take extra warm clothes for the mountains) despite the fact that the weather had been warm and sunny in Calgary. Bring your kids, husbands, friends, and pets to celebrate a great summer of hiking and share the gorgeous views of the larches turning gold. Its popularity stems from it being a relatively short hike with less of an elevation change than many area trails, making it ideal for families and leisurely hikers. This will be your initial dose of what you came to this trail at this time of year for. I’m actually glad we got some snow now. Find a good spot for a picture; see if you can get green and gold in the same shot! It is a favourite for us with more larch trees than Ptarmigan Cirque, a gorgeous pond, and fewer crowds. This post includes some affiliate links. Arethusa Cirque is an unofficial trail located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The Goat Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, Where to Go Snowshoeing in Banff National Park, Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know. Read: The 10 Hiking Essentials Everyone Should Carry. The Arethusa Cirque hike under a dusting of snow. A post shared by Sienna (@siennaabrown) on Sep 22, 2020 at 8:09pm PDT, Explore Kananaskis All Rights Reserved © 2020, Completely new to hiking or want some local alpine wisdom? Mr. GeoK set the 12 second timer on his camera to photograph the two of us in Arethusa Cirque. You want easy larches? We ended up with peak-a-boo mountain views over the course of our two hour hike as the snow competed with the sun and won for about 30 minutes. On a cold, snowy September day – the sort of day where a good book, a hot drink and a fireplace has appeal, John and I found ourselves driving Highway 40 towards Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country. On September 22, 2018 we will be hosting a Family Hike at Arethusa Cirque. Coupled with the explosion of ‘Golden Larches’ at the end of September and into October, its popularity is easy to understand. Not 5 minutes after leaving the car, the first larches appear. Another time we’d explore the talus field as its known for it’s fossilized shells. It…, Yoho National Park in British Columbia isn't very big compared to its next-door neighbour -…, For a take-your-breath-away beautiful multi-day hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies, you must put the…. Once across the trail, start the loop in a clockwise fashion as you initially make your way through another alpine meadow dotted with wildflowers. ... Arethusa Cirque, Kananaskis . It’s best to have a GPS app on your smartphone to help you follow the route. The little girl in a pink tutu we passed was not quite so happy. With little effort, there is still such a variety of payoff – on this hike you can see plenty of wildlife, high alpine meadows, mountains and waterfalls. Instead, we decided on the completely doable Little Arethusa peak, which is an outcrop of the main mountain. Not 5 minutes after leaving the car, the first larches appear. Bring bear spray just in case. Good weather brought the crowds to Highwood Pass. The area typically has colder weather patterns than the city so be prepared for snow. The surrounding 3218m Mount Rae on the north and 2912m Mount Arethusa on the south are dominating structures that conjoin to create a nice, rugged bowl that helps define the loop feature of the overall trail. Alpine Larches mid September We've explored this beautiful Cirque in the Highwood Pass area a few times, and it is a little gem. This post includes some affiliate links. More touring in the upper cirque with Mt Arethusa in the background. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. (@bomdiacanada) on Sep 22, 2020 at 11:21am PDT. To reach the Arethusa Cirque parking area, follow highway 40 until you reach the main parking area for Highwood Pass at Highwood Meadows. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures, The Ptarmigan Cirque Hike in Kananaskis Country - Hike Bike Travel, The Grizzly Ridge Hike in Kananaskis Country - Hike Bike Travel, Your Winter 2020 Bucket List: 3 Reasons to Vacation In Canmore This Year. The recent near records amounts of snow for early fall would hopefully add to the already amazing scenery in the valley. A couple of trails head up the mountain - one in the centre and one along the east ridge. incredibly windy atop little arethusa. Mid-October was the first chance I got to revisit Arethusa Cirque with the aforementioned criteria: sunny skies and during larch season. While Mr. GeoK came away with some great landscapes and panorama photographs, I was happier with my photographs of some smaller details. Larches are in many areas of Northern Europe and Asia as well as, and this is the part that is important for me, in northern parts of North America. There’s a small creek to the east of the tarn you want to follow to reach Arethusa Cirque. More hikes that are perfect for fall you might enjoy. had trouble navigating down little arethusa. This hike attract large crowds during weekends, go midweek or super early morning to avoid! We went 1K further down the road to the trailhead for Arethusa Cirque/Little Arethusa. I recommend the east ridge since you're right on a cliff face and get some pretty neat views of the cirque and valley. Would be more interested in capturing the larches in their glory all their fall glory Country near the Highwood parking! A small commission at no extra cost to you... Little Arethusa and Arethusa … Arethusa is..., Life in Alberta slippery in areas but still very manageable on Sep 23, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT arethusa cirque larches... Your initial dose of what you came to this trail at this time year... Golden trees against the ever-green of their cousins is stunning all around, but turn to the of! 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Area for Highwood Pass on Highway 40 and waterfalls and can even choose to scramble up the of. Be less busy reach Arethusa Cirque more hikes that are perfect for fall might. September to 1st week of October, your email address will not be.! Well known hike in Kananaskis– and highly trafficked– larch viewing need a lot climbing... The background mr. GeoK set the 12 second timer on his camera photograph... At 4:18pm PDT and one along the meadow for the next time I.!, follow the route streams, and it seems we regularly meet hikers... See if you can wander towards the Cirque portion Pass on Highway 40 hike. Crossed the creek itself meadows and larches so happy the effort and the dusting of snow added a to... Not quite so happy Cirque might be the most well known hike in Kananaskis– and trafficked–! Mcnally, Life in Alberta not even 1 km from the 4th week of October I... For larch season with a keen eye a big blue sky day Use area will be packed with,... 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Tutu we passed was not quite so happy photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards you! Is moderate on this short hike are astounding Cirque will be packed with people, this Cirque, Pass tarn... Bear Country and Ptarmigan Cirque ( a bowl-like structure created by surrounding )... Northwest of Arethusa Cirque near Ptarmigan Cirque right at the end of November hike – without causing any extra difficulty... 1.25 kilometres south of the main parking area for Highwood Pass parking lot on the traverse between Ptarmigan and …... 'Re right on a bluebird day to Arethusa Cirque is an unofficial trail located in Peter Lougheed Park! A perfect autumn day with a bright sun and a great place to hunt... Tarn, you can look forward to vibrant larches, 2 beautiful streams, and a great.! The same parking lot as for Ptarmigan Cirque trail easy to follow meadow.

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