Troll Falls - A Frozen Waterfall Adventure

You might think we're crazy for hiking when it's snowing, raining, sleeting, snow showers, polar vortex, arctic wind, freezing rain or any of the other dozen words for winters weather. But, I have come to really like hiking in shoulder season! It's cooler, less crowded and the biting insects generally aren't alive yet. Plus, you get to do some pretty cool things - cool as in cold. Cold enough to for the water cascading down a fall to freeze.

One not-so-chilly day in March, my sister and I headed out to Troll Falls in Kananaskis to check out three frozen falls. The path is short to the first falls at just 1.7 km from the parking lot and about 150 m elevation gain. There are multiple routes you can take to reach the first falls. Take your time when tromping over icy paths, and don't forget your crampons or ice cleats.

Or don't lose one on the path somewhere never to be seen again and have to maneuver with one stable foot and one slippery foot like Erin did. It's a mystery as to where that other crampon disappeared to! We searched high and low for it. Poof! Gone forever.

The first set of falls are the biggest. It's a column of ice with fresh melt running through the centre, depending on what time of year you're there.

I scaled the super slippery side of the column to take a peek behind the falls.

Walking back along the main path, there are sign directing you to a new path up to the second and third falls. I think it was about another kilometre up a slightly steeper section, I'm guessing about another 150 m elevation gain.

Along the way, I made a new, adorable acquaintance with a Grey Jay.

The second falls are horseshoe shaped and cascaded over a ledge, engulfing the trees below.

You can see where Troll Falls gets its name. From the fearsome troll living within its icy walls. Blaaaaargh!!!

Scrambling up the frozen river (which for safety reasons is not recommended as the ice cracked startlingly under my feet), we reached the third fall which is a series of tiers.

We decided to take the Hay Meadow trail back to the parking lot along the shores of Kananaskis River.

It was a short, pretty hike that was made more of a challenge by the icy conditions and the extra kilometres we spent looking for the fugitive crampon. We warmed up over hot chocolate and tea at Woody's Pub in Kananaskis Village - a 5 minute drive from the trailhead parking lot.