Runner Leana

...sometimes with a little swimming and biking thrown in...

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Hiking: Sulphur Mountain in the Winter

March 23, 2015 By: Runner Leana

As part of our spring Team Tri Life triathlon camp last weekend we hiked up Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park.Sulphur Mountain Hike in Banff

By the time we got to the hike on Saturday afternoon we had done a Friday evening spin, plus a long run and a swim Saturday morning.  No doubt we were feeling slightly fatigued!  I’m guessing the aim of the hike was to really tire our legs out so we could find it within ourselves to dig deep and to keep moving forward when are tired and feel like stopping.

Neil and I hiked Sulphur Mountain back in September 2011.  Given all of the amazing hiking opportunities  in and around Banff this wouldn’t be my choice for a hike in the summer or fall.  You hike from a parking lot, straight up Sulphur Mountain, zig zagging through switch backs in the trees.  Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 6.13.24 PM

There aren’t very many breaks in the trees for views, although once you get to the top of Sulphur Mountain the scenery is just stunning on a clear day.DSCN6069

Once at the top you can either hike back down or take the gondola down (free in the winter, but I think there is a charge of $20 per person in the summer to ride down now).

Sulphur Mountain is a great hike in the winter though!  With a set of Yaktrax or Microspikes (my preference) this route is a great option for being out in the mountains while there is still snow on the trails.  (If you are looking for another great winter hike I love Johnston Canyon as well.)IMG_0367

Right at the base of the trail it was quite steep and covered in ice.  My microspikes dug into the ice with no issues and I was off.  Back in 2011 Neil and I hiked up in about 1:45.  My fitness is a lot better now so I was hoping I could be a little bit faster today.

The trail was quite icy on probably the first third, turning to packed snow the rest of the way up.  The switchbacks offer no reprieve from the elevation gain.  You just keep climbing up and up.  Every once in awhile there would be a break in the trees for the gondola route.  A few people opened the windows and waved and shouted hello at us!IMG_0380

When we started on the hike it had been drizzling on us, but it turned to snow as we continued on.  Even though it wasn’t the best day weather wise the trees did a nice job from sheltering us from any wind.  I was perfectly comfortable in a tank, my Oiselle Wazzie Wool long sleeve and Katron puffy vest.  On the bottom I had leggings underneath lightweight pants and Smartwool socks.IMG_0394

About 50 minutes into the hike my legs were screaming at me.  I was tired!!  I tried to build some mental toughness by talking myself through the climb.  IMG_0387

After stopping for a big gulp of Skratch and a photo with my friend Kelly I felt ready to finish this hike off!IMG_0384

Up and up and up!IMG_0390

Finally I rounded a switchback and I could see the top of the gondola, just ahead.IMG_0401

I made it to the top in just under 90 min, so a good 15 min faster than the last time I hiked up Sulphur Mountain.  Woo hoo!  IMG_0404

As soon as I made it to the top it was cold and windy.  There wasn’t much to see as the clouds and snow had us socked in.  We grabbed a quick team photo…IMG_0408

…then made our way down the mountain in the gondola.IMG_0412

IMG_0410

As per my Garmin:

3.35 miles (5.40 km) from the upper parking lot to the summit
2, 480 feet (756 m) elevation gain
1:28:52 one way
Max heart rate 178 bpm!!

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 6.14.36 PM

Screen Shot 2015-03-22 at 6.15.09 PM

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Comments

  1. 1

    Fiona says

    March 23, 2015 at 8:55 am

    I have yet to hike up Sulphur mountain. I might need to do it this summer though, cause that view at the top is gorgeous.
    Fiona recently posted…CoSchedule ReviewMy Profile

    • 2

      Runner Leana says

      March 27, 2015 at 9:59 am

      The view at the top is phenomenal!!
      Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 03.26.2015My Profile

  2. 3

    Ange says

    March 23, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    I hiked up a few years ago in the summer. And then we hiked down because I was NOT paying to ride the gondola down the mountain.
    I’m a pretty big wimp when it comes to heights and hiking, so Sulphur Mountain was about perfect for me.
    Ange recently posted…Marathon Monday 3/23 & Run L’Arche Half Marathon RecapMy Profile

    • 4

      Runner Leana says

      March 27, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      If it is $20 to ride the gondola down I’d probably choose to hike down too!
      Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 03.26.2015My Profile

  3. 5

    Crystal says

    March 23, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Ohhh I have been wondering about this trail. I hiked up it last year and ran down. Loved it. I want to do it more than once this year. Good for you! I bet it was tough with the ice and snow.
    Crystal recently posted…(Ultra) Marathon Monday: Taking a time out from trainingMy Profile

    • 6

      Runner Leana says

      March 27, 2015 at 12:40 pm

      It actually wasn’t that bad with the ice and snow thanks to the microspikes. That made it feel really doable! I imagine it would have been a good hike up/run down route in the summer!
      Runner Leana recently posted…Thinking Out Loud 03.26.2015My Profile

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6 x Ironman Finisher, 11 x 70.3 Finisher, geeky engineer and recent MBA grad.

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