Early in the season icers come in handy

Lady MacDonald Hike near Canmore

The Mount Lady MacDonald hike out of Canmore is one of a handful of early season hikes that delivers a great workout along with spectacular views. It’s a popular trail as we discovered, with most hikers turning around at the heli-pad. It was closed for a few seasons while blasting occurred but it has since reopened.

If you don’t mind a little scree – or snow if it’s spring time, then continue up past the heli-pad on the Mount Lady MacDonald hike until you reach the knife-edge ridge.

You’ll have to decide if you’ve got the skill-set and wherewithal to continue. We did not on this outing. Our excuse was Rosie, the Bernese mountain dog. I didn’t think scree and knife edge ridges with a large dog would be a great combo.

It's a steep hike up Lady MacDonald once you leave the river bed
It’s a steep hike up Lady MacDonald once you leave the river bed

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Lady MacDonald hike summary

Permit: Purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.

Distance: Approximately 6 km return to the heli-pad and 8.6 km to the summit return (there is exposure on the final ridge).

Elevation gain: 610 m to the heli-pad; 905 m to the summit. The Lady MacDonald hike is one steep one!

Time needed: Approximately 4 hours return to the heli-pad but more if you’re not a regular hiker.

Best time to hike: Mid-May until the snow starts to fly. Bring microspikes, leg gaiters and hiking poles if you’re doing it early in the season.

Don’t forget: Let someone know where you’re going, practice Leave No Trace principles and carry the hiking essentials.

Grand in your face mountain views on the Lady MacDonald hike
Grand in your face mountain views on the Lady MacDonald hike

Lady MacDonald hike details

Finding the trail is the crux of the Lady MacDonald hike if you only go as far as the heli-pad. From the Cougar Creek Trailhead by the parking lot follow the well-defined trail to the left (west) of the river.

Continue north past houses in a residential neighbourhood until the trail takes a noticeable bend to the left. We ended up on a well-worn gravel/snow path beside a small stream. Ahead we could see hikers taking off on a trail into the woods so we checked with someone who looked like a local.

That first trail in the woods takes you on the Montane Traverse. Avoid it if it’s the first time you’re hiking Lady Mac as there is a network of trails and it would be easy to start up the wrong one. (I also recommend Organic Maps – an offline hiking app.)

Instead, continue almost to the large metal gate across the river. Choose one of the many short paths up through the woods on your left. You should find signage immediately. The main trail heads steeply up the hill. If it’s not steep you’re on the wrong trail.

First good view of Canmore
First good view of Canmore

What I really liked about the Mount Lady MacDonald hike were the views. Within 10 – 15 minutes of hiking we were treated to views of Canmore and the valley. They continued off and on for the duration of the hike.

NOTE: In mid-May the trail was primarily dirt or rock until we neared the heli-pad and we got into snow. If you’re going to continue past the heli-pad take gaiters and icers.

The Lady MacDonald hike is very straightforward until you reach a rocky section. Then it steepens again and the trail becomes braided. We found one arrow on a tree so followed that general direction – always going up.

After about 1.75 hours from setting out, we gained the ridge two pictures below. Head left up it admiring the mountainscape around you.

Also look for bighorn sheep in the meadow on the back side of the ridge. We saw seven of them though they look like white boulders from a distance.

A section through steep rocks with trails going every which way
A section through steep rocks with trails going every which way
The final ridge before the helipad offers superb views
The final ridge before the helipad offers superb views

From the ridge it’s lovely hiking and a little less steep. In short order you can see the rest of Lady MacDonald unfold above you. From the ridge to the heli-pad it took us about 15 minutes. There was quite a bit of snow around in mid-May.

If you were to hike to the summit of Lady Mac and not the helipad you would cover 4.3 km one way over an elevation gain of 905 m. My guess as I don’t have a map in front of me, is that it’s 3 km to the helipad and about 610 m (2000 feet) of climbing.

To continue up past the helipad isn’t difficult to the first obvious bump. But the trail steepens from there. One day I’ll do it when I don’t have a dog with me. It took us four hours of hiking round-trip, not including a leisurely lunch soaking in the sun at the heli-pad. You can’t beat the view.

Time to catch our breath - even the dog agrees
Time to catch our breath – even the dog agrees
The Bernese mountain dog is very happy when we reach snow
The Bernese mountain dog Rosie, is very happy when we reach snow on the Lady MacDonald hike
We reach snow above the ridgeline in mid-May
We reach snow above the ridge-line in mid-May on the Lady MacDonald hike

Why is there a heli-pad on the mountain?

As an aside the heli-pad was built to support a teahouse that was to be accessed via a helicopter flight. Land was leased in the mid 80’s but by 2002 the project had folded.

In 2013 the partially built wooden structure for the teahouse as well as other bits of infrastructure were demolished in the interests of public safety. Today there’s a helicopter pad – minus several boards – so watch where you walk. There’s also a weather station up here. It’s the perfect place for lunch and a popular turn around spot for the Lady MacDonald hike.

The helipad on the Mount Lady MacDonald hike is a busy place on a May weekend
The helipad on Lady MacDonald is a busy place on a May weekend
Looking out towards Canmore from the helipad
Looking out towards Canmore from the helipad – the turn around point for most on the Lady MacDonald hike
The scrambling part of the Lady McDonald hike looks very doable in snow
The scrambling part of Lady McDonald looks very doable in snow
Early in the season icers come in handy on the hike
Early in the season icers come in handy on the Lady MacDonald hike
The scrambling part of Mt Lady McDonald looks very doable in snow
Watch your footing on the hike down from Lady MacDonald
Map of the Mount Lady MacDonald hike location
There’s a maze of trails. Be sure you’re doing the Mount Lady MacDonald hike and not another when you leave the river bottom

Finding the Lady MacDonald trailhead

If you aren’t familiar with Canmore the directions to the trailhead may sound confusing but they’re actually straightforward.

If you’re coming from Calgary get off at the main exit into Canmore by the Silver Tip Resort. You end up on Palliser Trail.

Follow it up to a T-junction and take a left onto Benchlands Trail Road. Continue up the road, gaining elevation.

Pass the Summit Café and then just before you reach a bridge turn left along Elk Run Boulevard where you’ll immediately see a parking lot on your right. If its full continue up the hill a short distance and park on the right hand side where parking is allowed. It’s free.

While the Lady MacDonald is a great early season hike, it would also be good in summer. But take lots of water with you! Nearby I also recommend hiking Ha Ling Peak and EEOR – the East End of Rundle.

A few things to take on your Lady Macdonald hike

I like something comfortable to sit on at lunch time. It can be your mitts on a warm spring day but in summer I swear by my almost weightless seat cushion.

I like using hiking poles. Invest in a good pair that are lightweight and collapsible.

I don’t pack gaiters on every trip, at some point on most hikes I usually wish I had them. In summer half gaiters are ideal for keeping pebbles and sand out of your shoes

Location map of the Lady MacDonald hike (approximate)

 

Further reading on early season hikes in the Rockies

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The Lady MacDonald hike in Canmore - a great early season one that delivers a workout and views

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