Four Ramblers enjoyed a short hike up Grotto Canyon today.  There were lots of other people on the route – several groups of ice climbers as well as many small groups of hikers and a busload of tourists. 
 
We had bright sunshine for the first hour or so, with increasing cloud for the next hour, then clearing again on our return.  The ice was firm, but not nearly as thick as other years.
 
The canyon is interesting to walk through, with steep walls with varying colours. Partway along, we looked at the pictographs on the right hand side, which are quite faded.  Daffern indicates that these would have been painted 500-1,300 years ago.  A frozen waterfall was quite beautiful down a side canyon. Ice climbers were on two ice curtains nearby.


Walking along the icy creek

Pictographs

Frozen Waterfall

Teresa, Jennifer, Peter, Barb in front of ice climbers

 
After the narrow canyon, the valley widens with a large cave on a hill to the right and a boulder field to walk through.


Cave

Boulder Field

 
We had an early lunch in the shelter of a large boulder which protected us from the cold wind that had developed, then returned the way we came, getting back to the carpark shortly after 1pm.  The hike was approx. 9km and 280m elevation gain.
 
Thanks to Jennifer for calling this trip, enjoyed by: Peter, Teresa (p) and Barb (s,p).