The GREEN MONSTER and a WINTER WONDERLAND, Oh MY MY

January 20/2024 Winter Hike, Alberta Canada

Today we are in the Kananaskis Country, and we will be hiking up to the Green Monster, an awesome frozen waterfall. The trail is 13.1 kilometers (8.1 miles) out and back, with an elevation gain of 249 meters (817 feet). Our maximum elevation was 1697 meters (5507 feet). We started the hike at 9:50AM and finished at 4:05PM.

The trailhead is located at the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area. The parking lot is a pretty good size, but it will fill up, as this is a very popular hike in the winter. I recommend getting here early. The trail is relatively flat to begin with and you will have trees on both sides of you. The trail was only partially packed as there was snow from the previous day on it. Soon the trail will open up a little bit on your right and there is a beautiful lookout. Back into the trees you go. At 1.75k you will arrive at a split in the trail, and you will want to go right here. Now the trail will gradually descend. Just before you get down to the creek bed the trail will split again, the main trail is on the left, the trail on the right is a shortcut, we took this one. Once on the creek bed the trail will level out. To your right will be majestic Mount Kidd. Just over 2k you will arrive at a picnic table. Now start heading towards the canyon. The scattered dead trees looked beautiful with all the snow on them. The trail now becomes a single track so when you meet people on the trail you will have to step off the trail. Be careful though as you can sink up past your knees. Once you enter the canyon you will see the creek flowing. The canyon walls get very high on your right. As you go further into the canyon it just gets more magical. Just over 3k you will see your first frozen waterfall on your right. The trail will take you into the trees for portions of it. Just under 4k there is a trail on your right heading into the trees. This will take you to some more frozen waterfalls. We didn’t go in there this time but in the video, I made of this hike in 2021 we did go in there. At 4.8k you will arrive at another frozen waterfall in front of you. Now the fun begins. The trail will start and climb now up to the ropes and chains section. Up to now you really didn’t need to have cleats, but if you go any further, I highly recommend them. Once you get to the top of the ledge go slow and be careful. The ledge is very narrow with quite a drop down to the creek on your right. Going down on the other side can be very tricky as it is quite slippery, the ropes help though. Now you are in the guts of the canyon and the most beautiful part of the hike, as you will be going up and beside the creek. As you work your way up the canyon you will come across numerous frozen waterfalls. At 6.5k you will arrive at the Green Monster. It wasn’t as big as the last time I was here, probably due to the warmer winter we have been having, but it was still glorious. This time there were a lot of people and ice climbers here. I worked my way into the Green Monster and the ice formations were just stunning. After a quick rest we started to head back.

This is my favorite frozen waterfall hike, and I highly recommend it. If you fear heights, it may not be the one for you. As well it is a fairly long hike for the winter so I would make sure to do it on a warmer day, so you don’t freeze.

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Thank you,
Cary Mason

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