Kootenay: Juniper

I’ve been to the Radium area more times than I could possibly count. It is a great vacation for Calgarians looking for a super cheap weekend getaway. There is a lot to do, especially if you love the outdoors. While Jon and I have stayed in Invermere, Fairmont, and Radium, we’ve for sure gone to Radium the most as it is the cheapest of the three. There is something so appealing about cheap family-run motels and diners, familiar faces, and having to park your car while a herd of big horn sheep cross through the middle of town (and as a side-note for those who know me: I’ve checked all of the hotels we’ve stayed in and there hasn’t been a sign of a bed bug yet!).

We go to Radium enough that it has become somewhat of a routine. Drive to Canmore, stop for coffee, drive down highway 95, stop for animals/interesting informational trails, get to Radium, go to the hot springs etc. Juniper Trail is a part of this routine, I don’t remember a time that we’ve gone to the Columbia Valley area without doing at least a kilometre of the trail. This time was no different, and we did the trail that night (after visiting the Marble Canyon that afternoon).

The trailhead is accessible on the North side of highway 93 right by the gates to Kootenay National Park entering (or leaving, unlucky you) Radium Hot Springs. While there is a little pull out where you can park at the trail head, you can easily walk from most hotels in town. Also, if you’re feeling a little saucy, the trail ends at the hot springs, so bring a suit to go for a dip.

Exhibit A: Sinclair Creek

There is a short downhill to Sinclair Creek and Sinclair Falls, it is very pretty and something about it reminds me of the Westcoast Trail. Could just be how green it is, covered in junipers and spray from the falls. From there you can check out a few campgrounds in the valley, or begin the climb to a nice vantage point where you can see the town from above. While the climb seems short and very reasonable to me now, I remember the first time I did it I was very out of breath so I’d recommend bringing some water just in case you need a lil’ break halfway up, or even at the top to take in the views.

Exhibit B: Jon as we start climbing the hill

After the vantage point at the top of the hill, you’ll descend until you hit the springs. From here, you can either A) Go back the way you came, B) Take the road back, or C) Take the trail by Redstreak which begins in the hot springs parking lot. Oddly enough, for the number of times we have done this hike we have never taken the Redstreak way back. We either turn straight around the way we came, or take the road if we’re in a hurry to get back. Maybe one of these days we will try the other way, but old habits die hard and who knows if we’ll be back this summer with all of the other awesome trips we have planned.

Exhibit C: A different trip to Radium, but Sinclair Creek as you start to climb the hill

Kootenay National Park: Juniper trail (3.2km one way)
Difficulty: 3.5/10
Scenery: 7/10
Great for: A short work out super close to the townsite. It is a great way to see the town and a fun way to get to the hot springs if you don’t mind walking back a little damp. Because it is so close to town, it would be easy for half your party to go mini-golfing and half of you to hike if so inclined.