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Hagelslag.ca

Ramblings by a summit-crazed Dutch Canadian

Grotto Mountain

Trip Date: June 20, 2026

Route Map
Summit Elevation: 2706m
Elevation Gain: 1452m
Round Trip Time: 7hrs 24min
Total Distance: 14.30km

Technical Rating: Moderate scramble
Difficulty Notes: There is perhaps one "easy moderate" section on the ridgeline keeping me from rating this as easy.

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Grotto Mountain seems to bring out the worst in my decision-making abilities every time I look in its general direction.

My first shot Grotto Mountain (First Attempt)
Hagelslag.ca
[Archive] [No Archive Link] at the summit was in a dry spell during February of 2026, when I foolishly assumed that my summer scrambler's skillset would be enough to get me to the top. My spikes stopped gripping on the frozen ground, and I turned around and went home to rethink what winter ascents in the Rockies mean.

On my second attempt Grotto Mountain (Second Attempt)
Hagelslag.ca
[Archive] [No Archive Link] in May of the same year, I neglected to bring my microspikes or crampons, either of which would have been enough to get me past the first cliff band. Instead, I once again turned back and had another long hard think about leaving behind gear that I probably won't need and then proceed to need very badly to proceed.

I steered clear of Grotto for well over a month, watching its summit melt and then get covered with fresh snow in a seemingly endless cycle throughout the month the locals of Banff call "Monsoon June". The weather likewise continued to thwart every effort I made to plot a hazard-free route deeper into the HWY 11 backcountry, and I found myself stuck without much to do as the weekend of June 20th rolled around. I decided I'd hike to a favourite spot of crown land nearby and go for a "dry run" overnighter on the evening of the 19th. I'd replaced well over half of my backpacking gear for the 2026 scrambling season, managing to reduce my pack's "base weight" (weight without consumables such as food, water, and fuel) from 28 pounds down to just 15, and wanted to make sure that all the cool new toys practically floating on my shoulders actually worked.

Minus some finagling with a bear hang that left me concluding I should really just buy a bear-resistant bag, the dry run went well and I woke on Saturday the 20th to clear skies and lovely weather, with more Rockies goodness predicted for the rest of the morning and a thunderstorm watch in place for the afternoon. Part of me wanted to head back home and enjoy playing the recently-released Crimson Desert, but I knew Grotto was clear and I wouldn't let myself live down skipping over a great weather window like this to finally bag the mundane and yet somehow laughably stubborn summit.

So it was that I pulled into the Cougar Creek parking lot at 0915hrs, squeezing my adorable Fiat 500 into the very last three-quarters of a space thanks to a Tesla driver who apparently couldn't figure out how to park between the lines. I took a few moments to apply sunscreen, loaded up the somewhat obnoxiously familiar route onto my GPS watch, and headed upwards. It hadn't even occurred to me that I'd neglected to eat breakfast or pack lunch at this point in the day - though it certainly would soon. (Remember that whole decision-making thing with me and Grotto?)

I noted very quickly just how green things were compared to a month prior, when brown was still the dominant colour next to Cougar Creek. The scenery even below treeline was a very, very welcome break from the usual dull shades that spring in the Rockies brings, and I worked my way quickly upwards. I couldn't help but note when looking back that rain was definitely incoming over the Three Sisters and Mt. Lawrence Grassi - proof once again that the weather forecast in the Rockies is little more than fantasy.

The forest is wide awake and jarringly green, compared to my attempt a month previous.
Either Rockies weather is just that unpredictable, or the weatherman is drunk. I choose to believe the latter.

Incoming rain hit as I approached the first cliff band. Kane notes that scramblers can either ascend a moderate chimney, or continue to easier terrain; given that it had been raining long enough now for the limestone to become slicker and lose traction, I continued right past the chimney and was delighted to find easy scrambling terrain to ascend almost immediately afterwards.

Enjoying the last bit of dry weather on ascent before the rain hits.
The moderate chimney. It would be quite the enjoyable scramble when dry, but was pretty soaked.
I choose easy terrain as an alternative to the chimney.

I continued upwards for maybe five minutes before finding myself up against the second cliff band. Kane says here to head climber's right and either scramble the first obvious weakness, or continue to easier terrain, - and so I did just that. The first weakness was comprised of downsloping limestone, which didn't look all that pleasant when wet so I once again skipped it and kept following the cliff band.

Heading climber's right to circumvent the second cliff band.
Another fun bit of scrambling gets spoiled by the rain.

Before long I was greeted with more easy terrain in the form of a gentle grassy ramp heading to climber's left, which I promptly headed up. It worked nicely, but was blocked with a few pine trees in odd places and deadfall that would make this option much more annoying for someone under 5"10.

Easy terrain breaks through the cliff band.
More easy terrain for tall people. Shorter folks may struggle with the deadfall at center.

At this point my stomach started to rumble, and I quickly put two and two together, realizing the predicament I'd put myself in. My pack had no food whatsoever - no lunch, no trail mix, no electrolyte powder, and definitely no chocolate bars (my favourite high-energy food for fast scrambling). It certainly explained why I'd slowed much more effectively than the demoralizing effect rain always has on a summit. I also had found no spot to refill my water despite the fresh rain, and realized I'd have to make do with about the 400mL I had remaining in my flask until I reached Cougar Creek again.

It wasn't a safety concern - I've endured far worse both in the alpine and at home - but it definitely would put a damper on my speed. I made a conscious effort from this point to pace my ascent and ration what litle water I had accordingly. The rain passed as I had this realization, and I was greeted once again by sunny skies above and all around as I bushwhacked back to the more popular ascent route, and broke onto the ridgeline and main ACC trail.

The mildest of mild bushwhacks ensues on mostly open slopes.
Breaking out onto the ridgeline. Note the blue ACC trail signpost at right.

The views were nothing short of lovely (though I'm still tired of this area and can't wait for DTC to melt!) and I paused and looked back frequently as I ascended.

Familiar summits about in the panoramic view from Grotto's upper slopes. This entire trail is gorgeous.

I trudged my way up the ACC trail, already starting to feel bagged from my total lack of meals for the day, but determined to bag the summit this time. I noted somewhat threatening clouds gathering to the southeast, but given I'd heard nothing in the way of thunder, combined with plenty of options to bail directly down the ridge to treeline if needed, I simply kept an eye on things and continued onwards.

The ACC trail is in excellent condition, and the trailbuilders have my respect and admiration. They have somehow managed to keep trail braiding to exactly nil, all while providing separate "lanes" in many places - one fairly firm for ascent, and the other wondrously loose for a fast descent. It wasn't long before I'd slogged my way up the steep switchbacks and gained the ridgeline.

The ridgeline was likewise well-marked with blue diamonds frequently bolted to the rock. Branching trails wove around minor obstacles and freqently intersected, providing plenty of options for enjoying exposure right next to the ridgeline or for playing it safe as preferred. With the exception of a single downclimb where I found myself forsaking my poles and putting my hands directly on the rock, it was entirely easy scrambling, and I think most reasonably fit beginners should be able to complete this traverse with a dash of courage and some common sense.

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and this one unfortunately ended before I reached the summit. In what felt like a repeat of my time up Little Whirlpool Whirlpool, Little
Hagelslag.ca
[Archive] [No Archive Link] three weeks prior, gray clouds began to flow over from the northern side of Grotto - the side I actually wanted the views from!

The ACC trail is well-marked and follows the easiest route exceptionally well.
Clouds start to roll in as I approach the summit maybe half an hour too late.
The clouds thicken further as I close in on the high point.

I topped out not long after the clouds thickened, capturing a brief photo of the cairn when a small section of the clouds parted for a brief moment. I exchanged pleasantries with the two other parties present, and then headed back down the ridge with the hope of getting below the clouds and capturing a decent view.

Questioning my life's choices while watching middling views at the summit.

Thankfully that view materialized in a way that I wasn't expecting, and I managed to capture one of my favourite summit panoramas to date with the clouds flowing dramatically off of Grotto's summit and sufficient views north into the Bow Valley WPP and beyond.

This gorgeous shot spans my monitors at work, tempting me to pull up maps and satellite footage and start planning trips when I have little else to do. The summit is just left of centre here.

Grotto has cell service for pretty much the entire ascent thanks to its proximity to Canmore; while this is great for utility, I personally find that I prefer the feeling of just vanishing into the wilderness, emerging only at remote summits where I can reach a cell tower and send a panorama to a few close friends, and then disappearing once again below towering ridgelines and peaks until I bag the next random hunk of limestone or return home. Given it was there, I decided I might as well make use of the service, and noted a severe thunderstorm watch in the weather as I descended - it definitely put a spring in my step! Rain visibly hit Banff and Lady Macdonald hard as I descended, but thankfully Grotto was spared and I had no need to don my raincoat once again.

Aside from a curious squirrel reminding me (and my poor stomach) that I'd had no food to date, descent was uneventful and I returned much the same way, cursing my past self for not packing a morning meal, or grabbing something from a fast food joint en route to the parking lot.

Sorry, little guy. Go get your own food.

I indulged heavily in glorious alpine creek water once I made it back to Cougar Creek, before treating myself to a well-earned fast food meal and heading home to Banff.

It feels good to have "dealt" with Grotto; both times I turned back because I lacked the proper equipment and skills, and I think to some extent I've learned that lesson. Unfortunately, doing what I do alone means I largely lack mentorship, and so the only way I get to learn in the alpine is the hard way - I.E. by leaving behind essential gear and ending up needing it. I firmly believe I will continue to learn through trial and error over the next few years, losing out on a good many ascents in the process, but ultimately coming back to bag them, all the while having learned and improved for my trouble.