THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2026

(Canmore, AB)

Our last full day in Canmore. Despite this, we weren’t in a rush to get up, as we weren’t going to be driving anywhere, so we had plenty of time. I looked at the webcam again, and noted that the footways were covered in snow. Then Andrew pulled the curtain open and announced that the sun was hitting the top of the mountain. If ever there was a sentence to get me out of bed quickly, it was probably that one. I put on some clothes (it was -6C) and went out onto the balcony to watch sunrise. Although the mountains were still trying to hide, parts of them were clear of clouds and catching the sun’s pink light. After a while I returned inside and made coffee. 

After showers we headed for breakfast, this time just crossing over the road to go to Chez Francois. I decided to have pancakes for a change and they were extremely light, but also large…I did my best. Looking back at our hotel, the mountain behind it looked stunning with the fresh snow on it.

Then it was time to get ready to hike. Despite being a town walk we still took our packs, partly to have water with us and because it makes it easier with videos and phones. We drove to our car park at 8th Street, and set off from there. We did a clockwise loop, wandering along Policeman’s Creek, and then through the residential area of Spring Creek.

We reached the Bow Valley Trail, which we followed alongside the river. This provided wonderful views of the snow capped mountains and the sight of sections of ice floating down river. Then it was time for a  detour into town for a browse in the shops and a cup of coffee. 

After that we returned to the riverside, crossing over to walk along the other side, past the hydroelectric plant, and then onto the Spur Line Trail, and across the Engine Bridge, which we visited last week. The mountains look different with the snow on them.

Then it was just a walk back up through town, passing frozen ponds, and along the boardwalk again back to the car.

We rested at the hotel for a couple of hours before going out for dinner. We got in the car with the intention of driving to the 8th Street car park and then walking a kilometre to the pizza restaurant. As we turned towards town Andrew mentioned the pizza place we were passing…. So we u-turned, parked back at the hotel and walked 350 metres back to the Boston pizza restaurant. We enjoyed dinner there, all the better for not involving another long walk…