Grassi Lakes - Celebratory Hike in Memory of Ken Fung - Sat, Sep 19 2026

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Grassi Lakes - Celebratory Hike in Memory of Ken Fung (9/19/2026)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location:Canmore
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 19 2026  11:00 AM  (Carpool Departure: 9:30 AM   *log in for location*)
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Sep 18 2026 8:00:00 PM
Event Duration:Approx 2 hrs + driving time
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Event Coordinator(s): Diane I
Leslie
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members & Guests, All Ages Welcome
Maximum Group Size:20
Maximum No. Guests:10
Minimum Group Size:2
Maximum No. Guests Per Member:8
Number Registered So Far: 19 (Log in to see who's signed up.)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
Morning (Grassi Lakes): An easy to moderate hike up to the beautiful Grassi Lakes.

Distance: 4km loop
Elevation Gain: 250m
Pace:Relaxed-ideal for beginners

The Grassi Lakes trail is a very unique and popular hike just outside Canmore. This trail was dedicated to and initially created by Lawrence Grassi, longtime resident of Canmore. Grassi Lakes hiking trail takes you to 2 gorgeous turquoise lakes that are spring fed and offers views of waterfalls. The trail continues to the climbing walls as well as boulders that have pictographs drawn in ochre on them. One of the most distinctive pictographs is a man holding a medicine wheel.

On your way up you have two choices to take once you get reach the fork. Your best bet is to take the 'more difficult' way up as it takes you to see all the views as it is ever changing and take the 'easy' way back. The 'easy' route is just a wide road that slowly turns as it heads up/down. You are in the forest the entire time and see absolutely nothing. It really is just something you want to take as a descent as the 'more difficult' route really doesn't pose any difficulties.

You are welcome to bring your dog if they are used to hiking on a leash with a group and can respect the personal space of other dogs and people.

Grassi Lakes was one of Ken's favourite hikes, making it the perfect place to celebrate his life. Together, we'll honour his love of the outdoors, adventure, and friendship by spending some time just as he would have enjoyed it—surrounded by nature, sharing stories, laughter, and good company on one of the trails he loved most. We'll enjoy lunch together by the lakes before heading back. For those who would like to continue exploring, you're welcome to join me for a short extension along the rock climbers' route, up the stairs through the canyon to view the pictographs, and on to the dam. Those who prefer can relax and enjoy the lakes while we return.


Required Items to Bring:
- hiking boots or shoes
- Bear Spray
- Water
- lunch, snacks
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Camera
- hiking poles

How to Get There:
Event Directions:NOTE: As of June 1, 2021, you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to attend this event. Please see the Alberta Parks website for more information: Kananaskis Conservation Pass
To Grassi Lakes: Take Highway 1 west, exit onto Three Sisters Parkway and follow the signs towards the Canmore Nordic Center and turn onto the Smith-Dorrien Hwy. The trailhead is at the start of the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Hill along a signed access road veering to the east.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):200Km
Carpool Departure Time: 9:30 AM
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
** Calgary Transit Info
Carpool Cost: Approximate vehicle expense for this event is $66.00 (calculated at total Km * $0.33, effective Monday, October 5, 2026). This is based on $0.16/Km for maintenance, plus current gas price divide by 9. Alternately your carpool driver may choose to split the maintenance cost plus the actual gas cost among all in the vehicle. Your carpool driver will confirm exactly how much money they require to cover costs. Please split the actual cost among all people in the vehicle.

Notes:

- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.
- Notice any errors or problems in the information on this page? Please notify our Content Editor(s), Wendy W and Lynda H., at content@calgaryoutdoorclub.com.

Cost & Payment:
Voluntary Donations:Although there is no cost for this event, please note that the club survives on voluntary donations. Please consider making a donation based on the value you feel you receive from the club. See our How You Can Help page for more information.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: