Our Favourite Outdoor Adventures of 2020
During a difficult year, our bright spots involved the great outdoors
We’re finishing off the wild (bizarre, heartbreaking, lonely) year that was 2020 by each looking back at three of our favourite adventures. Here’s hoping it gets you excited and inspired for 2021 and all the possibilities for outdoor fun ahead. Read on:
Jumbo Hut, January 2020. By Annalise
It’s hard to believe this trip was less than 12 months ago. Looking back at photos of eight friends packed into a helicopter and then a cozy alpine hut, it feels like this experience took place in a different era.
In mid-January, friends and I spent four amazing days skiing from the remote Jumbo Hut, located in B.C.’s Purcell mountain range. While I’ve backpacked into Jumbo a couple times in summer, getting there in winter involves even more logistics. Given our big group size, we opted to arrive by helicopter (instead of snowmobiling up the road then skiing in). We enjoyed three nights/four days of amazing powder, fantastic meals, and good company with ski friends new and old. While some groups helicopter out, we chose to save the cash and ski the 25 kilometres back to our cars. It was a truly amazing trip and we left vowing to make it an annual occurrence. I can’t wait until it’s once again safe to share a backcountry hut with friends.
Backpacking a Remote Part of Banff National Park, July 2020. By Cailynn
Near the start of the summer, I went on a five-day backpacking trip in the remote eastern slopes of the Rockies that I’ve been dreaming of for years. I started at Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, east of Banff National Park, and hiked into the park. Aside from the first and last day, my group of three saw no one else, a staggering fact considering the millions of visitors that flock to Banff National Park every summer.
This is the area where bison were reintroduced to Banff National Park in 2017 (find lots more info on that fascinating project here). After two days of hiking, we reached Windy Patrol Cabin and an enclosed pasture, where the herd was held until its release in July 2018. The bison now roam a 1,200-square-kilometre reintroduction zone. We kept our eyes peeled and binoculars out throughout our trip, but saw no bison. Still, it was a memorable trip, exploring a gorgeous and remote part of our province that few venture into. I felt very lucky to be there.
Calgary’s COVID-19 lanes, Spring & Summer 2020. By Annalise
A bright spot of the weird pandemic spring and summer was getting to explore Calgary by foot and bike, on roads that were temporarily closed to vehicles and open to people. I visited Calgary’s Centre Street Bridge, Crescent Road and Memorial Drive on a near daily basis. I was so impressed by how quickly the city pivoted to open roads up to people to allow for physical distancing, and was disappointed when they re-opened to vehicles in the fall.
City Adventures, Spring & Summer 2020. By Cailynn
In the early months of the pandemic, with provincial and national parks closed to visitors, I spent a lot more time adventuring in the city than I typically do. These long walks, runs and bikes were such a positive experience that I continued them throughout the year. Calgary’s expansive multi-use pathway system took me to Valley Ridge on one trip, and all the way to the Blue Ring on another. In the summer, I even managed a little river float sans car, instead using a scooter and bike on the Elbow River Pathway. I also ventured to scenic spots like Nose Hill Park, Griffith Woods Park and the Douglas Fir Trail. Is there ever a lot of beautiful places to explore without leaving the city!
Skoki Loop, July 2020. By Annalise
Another bright spot of the summer was the fact routes I typically wouldn’t even consider due to their popularity were easier to access this year. When backcountry reservations re-opened in Banff National Park in June, I was surprised to snag three campsites in the Skoki Loop. There’s a reason these sites typically book up so quickly — it’s a truly stunning backpack. I spent night 1 at Baker Lake, night 2 at Red Deer Lakes and night 3 at Merlin Meadows, with day hikes to Oyster Peak and Lake Merlin. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, August 2020. By Cailynn
Just as Annalise experienced with the Skoki Loop, pandemic restrictions meant I found room at another popular spot, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. While the park is in B.C., access is through Alberta. I did a four day trip staying at Magog Lake, involving one long hike in and out from the Mt. Shark Trailhead and two days of day hikes in the area. Clear weather meant stunning views of Mount Assiniboine throughout the trip. It’s no wonder this is a bucket list destination for many.
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On a final note, we’d like to give a shoutout to you, our lovely readers! We’ve had fun sharing our adventures, stories, tips and tricks with you over the last few months. Thank you so much for reading. From Griffith Woods to larches, bikes, hikes, merino wool long underwear, and Big Blue Rings, we’ve especially loved hearing and seeing your own adventures inspired by this newsletter (we’ve compiled a few such photos below!). We’ll be taking a two-week break from writing Go Outside and will be back in your inboxes on January 12. In the meantime, we hope your holiday season is full of good times outside.
An hour outdoors is far better for you than a day indoors.
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