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Just before reaching the awe inspiring Rocky Mountain range, driving from Alberta West. A towering mountain greets new visitors with a taste of what is to come.

From the carpark below, the fresh smell of pine stretches far down the valley. Their spiked needled leaf’s coat the mountain in lush greenery. Far above them natures very own walled watchtower, watches over a beautifully vast forest landscape. Broken only by a highway, and an old abandoned mining town, Nordegg.

Although there are plenty of hikes further down the road, some more impressive, and adventurous. There is no better place to see the Rockies from the ground.

THE HIKE:

We started our hike at the car park nestled amongst the cluster of Nordegg country homes, turning right off the David Thompson Highway. In google maps the carpark is called ‘Coliseum Mountain Staging Area’.

There are toilets, and facilities for changing here as well as large garbage disposable units. Facilities every National Park should develop, take note UK. There is enough space for 25/30 vehicles.

From here it is a uphill battle for 2 hours. We left the carpark walking East for a kilometer.

The walk is through rough terrain, small mud hills, that dip into ditches clinging to the most recent rainfalls. It is a gradual uphill, running along side river and woodland clearings, torn down in hopes to prevent wildfires.

Once a kilometer into the walk, you come to the last of a single digit gradient you will see until your return.

The zig zagging begins. Through shade of pine trees, you will climb up, and up, and up. Although I can not remember exactly, I think there are 28/29 zigs until you reach the next straight path forward.

I will not pretend that this was not difficult.

Once you clear the last zig, you are welcomed to the mountains first view point. A South West facing ledge, that overlooks the looming Coliseum walls. A perch that allows you to look over hundreds of acers of untamed forest. Broken by Highway 11, patchy deforestation and Nordeggs old structures.

Sit here for a while, take photos of the majestic beauty of the forests that surround the Rockies. DRINK WATER, and snack on berries and nuts.

Next comes the ridge.

Here, rockfall has cleared a rugged, sharp decent into the forest below. One false move, or a moment of distraction could prove dangerous. It is not to say the path is not safe, its is roughly two foot in diameter and without much obstacle. Just be careful not to be taken in by the view so much you step from the path.

From the outlook, you’ll walk along the ridge of the mountain. After you clear the rocky, rugged path, a forest awaits. It’s cool shade is welcoming, as is the scent of pined forest. For the firs time, while traversing this woodland, you can look to the North. Through the pines, you can make out an endless forest, stretching into the North of Alberta, flanked to the West by snowcapped mountains.

Finally, the end is in sight. After a 2 kilometer walk on a slight gradient path, you pop out of the wooded shade and see the wall of the Coliseum above.

Cut into the side of its natural form, a path snakes its way steeply onto the roof of the structure. It is a hard grueling ten minuets of uphill heavy breathing and sweat, but the end is so close.

Once on top, the hard work and pain is transformed into reward and accomplishment. To the West, the Rockies stand tall and ancient, to the North the endless forest.

Sit for a while. DRINK WATER. Enjoy the view. Now, turn around and come back the way you came.

I think Coliseum Mountain is a perfect hike for those that want a challenge. It is a battle, and a relentless one at that, however it is obtainable to those will the willpower and strength to do it.

It is a beginner hike for newbies that are tired of flat easy walks, and a great workout for those that are in the category of fitness above.

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Big Love. From Nordegg Alberta.