Rocky Mountain 2021 Road Trip – Valemount and Clearwater

Lake Louise and Canmore || Lake O’Hara Hiking

Summary;
For this year, with the limited travel and since we always wanted to, we booked a hike to the Burgess Shale. This got cancelled due to low air quiality brought on by the BC Wildfires. We took advantage of low tourist numbers and spent some time in Lake Louise. Also we were able to book two nights in Lake O’Hara Lodge due to a cancellation to do three days of hiking. We then checked out the Valemount Bike park and the nice network at Candle creek in Clearwater.

Once out of Lake O’Hara lodge we camped again at the Lake Louise campsite, LoopB this time, next time book a site along the road for fewer neighbours. The next day we drove the Icefields parkway. I know I’ve driven this before.. but wow, I can see why its popular with tourists. The Glaciers are still pretty huge!

We arrive in Valemount after a 4-5 hour drive, and went to the Yellowhead RV Park and Campground. Nice place, ride to the bike park, showers. However DO Not get a site near the road… get a site as close to the creek as possible. Also, call them to see if you can reserve as it gets busy. Alternatively you could camp along Kinbasket Lake off the Canoe River FSR. It’s maybe a 30 minute drive into Valemount but it would be WAY quieter. You could also camp at the bike park parking lot.

Valemount Bike Park has a good variety of trails. The first day we rode up the well routed climbing trail – Mundy Grind and descended Coaster ( chundered ) Stump Town ( fun flow trail) and Moby Dick ( fun flow trail). Then we climbed half way up and rode down Bacon by NDIT ( blue beginner flow trail). The next day we bought the shuttle card from Peak Shuttles for $20.00 which gives you 4 half laps, or 2 full laps. Good deal. We did two full laps – The Craig ( fun flow trail)-> Stinger ( fun flow trail)-> Andreas DH -> Southern Traverse. Then we did the big boy trail High Roller -> Turducken (I’ll pass on these next time) -> Tinfoil Hat DH ( Fun lots of options) -> Truck Yeah Full ( climb ) to Moby Dick.

After Valemount we then went to Clearwater where Aaron from Sol Mountain lives and has helped out with the network near his house. There is a camp site right at the bottom of Candle Creek trails, off the Raft River FSR. Its maintained by the Wells Gray Outdoors Club, you can EMT payments to them at their email. Nice. The trails are fun! We only did one lap as the AQI was over 200. There is a nice swimming hole near the Mill at the bottom of the road, 10-15 minute walk to the water fall. Really nice place to wash off.

Mt. Robson