PLAYGROUND

Not sure when the routes were built, but found out December 2007 and ventured up there to find really excellent drytooling. The mixed climbing seems to be out of “Canmore” fashion as many of the mixed climbers have moved onto skiing and more guiding work, thus not a lot of activity. Eric Dumerac built the playground and did a very good job, much better than his normal routes in Haffner or Bear Spirit– they are true sport winter routes.

Access to the area is remarkably easy and will provide a trail to some wicked summer sport climbing stone. The tooling is not on stone that you would bolt for sport, as the grotto itself holds stupendous stone facing south.

It’s onGrottoMtn.take the 1A until just past the entrance to the quarry, the next parking is just off the road and rimmed with large rocks, left hand side, it’s the rats nest cave parking. Follow obvious trail up and 100m before power lines see flagged trail branch, follow this to the crag about 50min. The trail trends up and onto the bench system, where you will walk an old road for part of the trail.

There are 11 routes, from the very left they are graded m5+, m7, m9-, m11, m5, m6, m7-, m8, m8, m9-, m7. Need draws and 60m rope. Enjoy, this is from Eric;