Day 16 - Waterton Lakes National Park

One thing you can't get run out of in Waterton are hiking trails. I planned to do the famous 18km Crypt Lake hike that begins with a boat tour that takes you to the trailhead which is on the other side of the lake. In the morning we had some angry looking clouds and a forecast suggesting a thunderstorm for the day so we decided to change the Crypt Lake hike for a shorter one and for an early start to Calgary. The Lineham trail leads through a foresty and grassy mountain hill area to a 150m high waterfall view.

The way there had already some smaller water falls and esthetic creek crossings before you started to hear the roaring of the big last one couple of corners before you see it, making you think: "Ah, this is it!" I have seen some droppings on the trail, seemed not too old and that it comes from a well-sized animal. Then again a dropping. After the third one I honestly started to question which wild animal is so badly willing to follow the trail before the lightbulb went off and I figured out that people do this trail by riding horses. We spent roughly 5 hours for the return trip and in this time did see some birds and some very diligently observing ground squirrels. Interesting that you see the bigger animals rather next to the road than deeper in the forest.

After having a well-deserved and much-needed lunch at the waterfall we returned to the car, had a coffee at the Prince of Wales and then hit the road to Calgary. There was a very bad thunderstorm on our way, I was glad we hit it only after being in the car. The whole sky was pretty much black and since it was ahead of me I saw myself driving directly into its center. It was short storm though, rough and short. Just before sundown we reached our hotel for the night and went out for a dinner in downtown. What else would you eat in Alberta than it's very own beef steak?