We make a little getaway to the mountains on Fathers’ Day weekend. As a part of that we venture into Kananaskis to enjoy the alpine air, stroll by wild strawberries and feel the spray of an early summer waterfall.
The Troll Falls loop near the currently green Nakiska Ski Hill is about an hour drive from Calgary. The elevation is approachable for young hikers and the trail varies from access road to groomed hiking path to deer path.
We begin the hike at the parking lot and off the old Stony Trail we head west on a ski hill access road through lodgepole pine. Bright wildflowers accentuate the dark green surroundings. A more rugged trail takes us closer to an unnamed stream.
At the falls, some great rock outcroppings allow from some scrambling up and around the side of the Troll Falls. A steep descent again allows from a top view of the falls and other hikers.
Crossing the stream is tricky, but we take advantage of some small loose trunks that someone else has placed over the rushing water.
Following more instinct than a marked trail, we make our way back to Stony Trail. We walk past an abandoned power transformer relic and a large tepee arrangement of fallen trees.
On Stony Trail, we slow to enjoy wild strawberries every few steps until we decide to lunch by some poplars on the other side.
The path and surroundings are now grassy and we pass many clearings before arriving on the shores of a lovely tributary of Barrier lake. The peaks along the Kananaskis Valley is in full view.
