Pigeon Mountain Hike in the Rockies: A Family Adventure Full of Challenges and Incredible Landscapes

A Day That Stays in the Heart

There are days that stay etched in your heart, not only for the beauty of the place, but for the people you share them with. On November 16th, along with three families and a group of eleven adventurers of all ages, we had an unforgettable experience climbing Pigeon Mountain , one of Alberta's classic and challenging hikes, and one of my favorites to kick off the winter season in the Rockies.

Before telling you about this adventure, I always like to remember who I am and why these stories mean so much to me.

I'm Ernesto Lozano , founder and director of Dare and Explore , a father of six, and absolutely in love with the Rocky Mountains. Since arriving in Canada, my family and I have found our natural home in these mountains. With over 15 years of experience exploring these landscapes, I hold certifications in Avalanche Safety Training, Lead Climbing, Ski Instructor, and Wilderness First Aid.

My thing is adventure sports:

• Rock climbing

• MTB

• Route

• Hiking

• Alpine skiing

• Backcountry ski

• Snowshoeing

• Backcountry camping

But above all, to share the beauty of these mountains with our clients and friends.

Dare and Explore is more than a tour operator: we're a team that accompanies each person from the first message to the last mile. We create personalized and memorable journeys. We offer experiences ranging from 4 to 17 days, visiting iconic locations, but also hidden gems that are only discovered after years of hiking these forests.

Today I want to tell you in detail how we experienced this ascent of Pigeon Mountain , right in the first days of winter in the Rockies.

Preparing for the Adventure – The Night Before the Hike in the Rockies

The night before

It was the ritual we know well: downloading maps, preparing backpacks, checking equipment, studying the weather, and making sure all satellite devices were charged.

Pigeon Mountain is a challenging hike:

• 16 km distance

• 1,064 meters of elevation difference

• 4.5 hours total journey

The weather forecast for November 16th was reasonably good. Reports indicated:

• Temperatures around 0°C

• Moderate wind

• Mostly cloudy skies

• Very little snow at the base

• 20 cm of snow on the summit

Nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year.

We checked our clothing: light layers but with extra warmth, because in the mountains everything can change in minutes. Our backpacks contained:

• Water

• Snacks

• Lunch

• Gloves

• Buff

• Additional jackets

• Spikes

• Bear spray

• Hat (my indispensable companion)

The plan was ready.

On the Way to the Path – The Group Meeting

We woke up early Sunday morning. The excitement always feels different when you know you're going to hike a mountain.

At 8:00 am, Juan Fernando and two of his children—Victoria and Juan Diego—picked us up, and in 45 minutes we were already in the parking lot where we would meet the rest of the group. Gonzalo and María, along with their sons Felipe and Tomás, were already waiting for us there.

Amid greetings, laughter, and that wonderful energy that large groups have, we put on our hiking boots, adjusted our gaiters, checked our backpacks, and began the adventure.

The First 5 Kilometers – Steady Slope and Silent Forest

The trailhead begins on a wide path that follows the high-voltage power lines. Surrounded by pine trees, small streams, and some mud from recent snowfall, this section is relatively easy, but the steady incline is noticeable.

We quickly started warming up and it was necessary to remove gloves, buffs and a jacket or two.

In this first section we introduce several groups who had also chosen Pigeon Mountain as their adventure of the day.

At 4.8 km, the wide road ends and the trail turns to the left.

That's where the fun begins.

The Trail Steeps – Less Forest, More Snow

The slope becomes steeper. This is the point where the hike starts to demand leg strength, lung capacity, and a good pace.

Soon, snow appears on the path, making the surface more slippery. Perfect time to get your spikes out.

The trees are also disappearing, which means losing natural protection against the wind.

In a matter of minutes, the temperature drops. Buff around the neck, buff around the ears… and we carry on.

Despite the weather, the view begins to reward the effort: the mountains peek out from among the clouds, imposing and tranquil at the same time.

Road to the Ridge – Where the Wind and the View Meet

The slope eases slightly and the landscape opens up. Although we still have some way to go to reach the summit, we can already see the shape of the mountain standing out against the clouds.

And then we reached the ridge.

That magical spot where you can see both sides of the world:

• On one side, Canmore illuminated in the morning.

• On the other side, Heart Mountain and the lake glowed dimly under the cloudy sky.

The wind is blowing hard, but the view makes up for it all. Every step feels like walking on the back of a sleeping giant.

We continue advancing along the ridge, getting closer and closer to the summit.

The Summit – Wind, Snow and Smiles

When you get to the top, the smiles say it all.

The view is vast, white, and powerful. You can feel winter in every gust of wind and every crunch of snow under your boots.

We took several photos, celebrated, and stayed for a few minutes enjoying the scenery.

There's no rush. When you reach a summit, the right thing to do is stay a while, give thanks, and look around.

The Descent – Looking for Shelter for Lunch

The wind was blowing strongly, so we started the descent to find a more sheltered place to have lunch.

Gonzalo found the perfect spot: a wooded area with little snow that protected us from the wind as if we had entered another dimension.

We sat down to eat our sandwiches prepared that morning, accompanied by hot drinks and good conversation.

Nothing tastes as good as a mountain lunch after a tough climb. Nobody can argue with that.

After lunch, Gonzalo and two of his sons, Felipe and Tomás (I'll tell you about Tomás in a separate blog post), decided to make a short detour to climb the south peak of Pigeon Mountain. They caught up with us a little later on the way down.

Sunny Afternoon – The Mountain Changes Mood

After eating and continuing on our way, the weather changed completely.

The wind calmed down. The clouds parted. The sun came out. And the temperature rose.

The snow began to melt, forming small streams that crossed the path. The trail came alive.

The descent was peaceful, filled with laughter, comments about the view, and those moments where someone says, "Did you see that landscape?" or "I didn't think there would be so much snow up there."

We recalled every stretch, every view, every effort, as if we were preserving the complete memory of the day.

End of the Tour – Comfortable Shoes, Hugs and Back Home

Upon reaching the vehicle, we took off our jackets, changed our boots for more comfortable shoes, and said goodbye with hugs and smiles.

We had completed a challenging, beautiful hike, perfect for this transition to winter.

There's nothing like coming home after a day like this: with tired legs, cold air in your lungs, and a heart full of adventure.

Tell us… What was your last adventure?

We love hearing stories from other adventurers. Tell us: What hike, walk, or experience did you have recently?

And if you ever want to experience an adventure like this, Dare and Explore is ready to accompany you.

Until next time. Thank you for walking with us.

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