Mount Lawrence Grassi — Local services in Alberta

A lovely hike with gorgeous views but the summit is not for rookies. Hiking poles are very useful for the steep terrain.

From where Ha Long starts, stick to the path along the canal instead. It’s an easy flat walk for a couple kilometres until just past the rock slide. The trail head starts there with some boulders and sticks marking the spot.

It’s an easy forest meander to an empty river bed. You follow the rocks a very short distance until a big boulder with sticks and trail tape marks the entrance back into trees on the left.

The rest of the trail is steep. As there are few switchbacks, you gain altitude quickly. You’re above the tree line in no time and have gorgeous views of mountains looking south (a nice change from many of the Canmore area mountains giving views of Canmore).

Above the tree line has a meadow feel and that alone can make a really nice hike. If you are not experienced with more difficult summits you should be very careful of your limits as you proceed.

The terrain becomes a mixture of loose slippery rock and large grippy boulders. It’s a bit of a choose your own adventure path to the summit though you’ll want to stick to the grippy boulders.

Once you are very close to the summit you can expect to be on your hands and knees at points due to the steep and loose terrain, and it is no easier on the way down.

It is steep the whole way down as well. Please don’t slide down as that makes the trail even harder for the next hikers. Take your time to find...

Mount Lawrence Grassi was an amazing challenging hike and climb! I'd recommend this for those who are experienced.

When you're about to reach the summit, it gets pretty dangerous and requires skill, and is even more difficult coming down.

Highly recommend using the AllTrails app to make sure you stay on trail, as we wondered off a few times (there's two points where I assume most people mess up).

On our way to the vehicle along the path, we crossed paths with a bear (black bear), thankfully two bursts of an air horn scared it away. Please be bear safe and bring various measures (horn, bear bell, bear mase, and bear bangers).

Would highly recommend. It's uphill...

Great hike. Took the direct trail up mid July (find on AllTrails). Trail is reasonably easy to follow (look for tape in trees and cairns the rest of the way). Once you’re above the tree line as long as you’re heading upwards you’ll find your way to the peak with minimal issues. Bit of a scramble after you’re out of tree line and towards the top the gravel on the exposed rock makes the trail a bit slippy but nothing impossible. Quite steep. Poles definitely would’ve been helpful. Do your research...