Women's Hiking Yoga Retreat
in the Canadian Rockies:
Banff National Park & Kananaskis Country
See photos from last year
Immerse
yourself in the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies through yoga and hiking
and you will see your exquisite greatness reflected around you and within
you. With her glistening blue lakes, sweet smells, rugged mountains, magnificent
glaciers, and fascinating wildlife, few visitors leave the Canadian Rockies
without being awe stuck and inspired. Those who take the time to contemplate
these wonders and their connection to them are transformed by them.
Each day will start with a morning meditation. After a delicious mountain breakfast you will immerse yourself in this magnificent landscape, taking the time to smell the fragrant alpine, see nature's garden, touch the earth, and open to your place in nature. After each hike we will end our day with a foot massage and then head indoors, to stretch out any tired muscles with an Anusara inspired yoga class. In the evening we will celebrate our day in quaint Rocky-Mountain lodges which are complete with fire places, mountain cuisine, and friendly hospitality-all befitting the grandeur of the region.
These mountains are our temples, our sanctuaries, and our resting places. They are a place of hope, a place of vision, a place where the Great Spirit speaks with us. Therefore, these mountains are our sacred places.
-Chief John Snow
Day 1
Meet in Canmore; Chester Lake, 6mi, moderate hike
(approximately 950 ft elevation gain)
We
will meet in Canmore at 8:30, for a brief introduction and gear check before
we head out for our first day of hiking. After a short, 45 minute drive
we will arrive at Engadine Lodge where we will drop off our luggage then
continue to the trailhead 5 minutes away. This trail heads up through a
second growth sub alpine forest to the beautiful Chester Lake surrounded
by austere mountains such as Chester, Fortress and Galatea. The upper valley
will delight even the most experienced hiker with great views, and alpine
flowers. Local wildlife includes, mountain goats, mountain sheep, moose,
grizzly bears and pine martins.
Upon arrival back to the lodge we will begin our yoga practice in the relaxing
atmosphere of the lodge. Following yoga, you will have free time to unpack,
soak in the outdoor hot tub, and explore your new home for the next few
nights. Home made mountain cuisine will be served in the dinning room -
be sure to watch for moose!
Engadine Lodge
Day 2
Burstall Pass, 6 mi, moderate
(approximately 1400ft elevation gain)
Our
morning will begin with meditation at 7:15 and breakfast at 8:00. After
breakfast we have a 5 min drive to the trail head of Burstall Pass. This
hike starts along an old road which affords great views of Burstall and
Commonwealth peaks. We will then ascend through the forest to the next valley
which opens up to more breath-taking views as we climb up the pass.
After we come back we will stretch any tired muscles with yoga, take some
free time and enjoy another home cooked meal at the lodge. Those who are
keen to see wildlife will not be disappointed as dusk and dawn frequently
provide exciting wildlife viewing opportunities.
Engadine Lodge
Day 3
Yoga Play day!
Today we are going to take it easy and find a quiet place outside to do
yoga play. This is a lazy day, mountain style. When we get back we will
have down time to relax, reflect and rejuvenate. We will enjoy our final
supper at Engadine lodge
Engadine lodge
Day 4
Stanley Glacier, 5.5 mi, moderate,
(approximately 1200 ft elevation gain)
After breakfast we will be transferring to Banff - Canada's first National Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views will start to get more dramatic as we get closer to the continental divide, with sheer cliffs dotted with hanging glaciers. Our drive will take 1.5 hours with a brief stop in Canmore.
The
Stanley Glacier trail winds up gentle switchbacks to a spectacular hanging
valley. Along the way, we will see evidence of some of the natural processes
that make this landscape famous as part of the largest remaining intact
mountain ecosystem in North America: avalanches, fires and glaciation. As
we ascend higher into the hanging valley we will be awarded impressive views
of Mt. Stanley and the Stanley glacier. Here we will see first hand the
work of winter avalanches which open up the valley and allow the growth
of spectacular wildflowers. The path will lead us through a boulder field
where we will see the powerful scouring effects of glaciers still at work
and experience one more reason this area was designated as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
After our hike we will continue on to Baker Creek Chalets - a short 30min drive west. You will have time to settle into your room, do yoga and explore this lovely property. The hand-hewn log Chalets are located near the lovely Baker Creek and have fire places and kitchenettes. Dinner this evening is at the Baker Creek Bistro which offers a fine cuisine menu that is surely to delight all palettes.
Day 5
Lake Louise, Plain of Six Glaciers; 9 mi moderate (approximately 1300 ft
elevation gain) or Lake Agnes; 5mi, moderate (1300 ft elevation gain)
Our day begins with breakfast at the Chateau Lake Louise. While dining
we will be treated to views of this spectacular lake and awesome mountain
scenery. It is often said that if you only had one day to hike in the Canadian
Rockies, this is place to do it. Our journey to the Plain of Six Glaciers
will take us into this picture postcard back toward the Victoria Glacier.
We will be hiking in trees for a short time and then we will leave the trees
behind to be tickled with the splendour of this area for the rest of the
day. Lunch will be at the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house. The tea house
was constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the early 1900's for
early mountaineers, led by the Swiss guides, as a place to rest and refuel.
Today it is a place to relax and enjoy the stunning views, and more importantly,
to sample teas, homema
de
breads, soups, and cakes made daily. From here there is an optional 30 min
hike that takes hearty hikers to the end of the moraine where you can see
the famous Abbot hut, at the top of Abbot's Pass and the Death Trap. The
view back at Lake Louise appears as a blue dot and the landscape around
you reveals the stories of glacier advances and retreats that have shaped
this area for centuries. The way back is a down hill float.
Upon arrival back to Baker Creek Chalets we will enjoy our final yoga practice together. Tonight we have another chance to feast on the Canadian menu, offered by the Bistro at the lodge.
Day 6
Moraine Lake, Eiffel Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks
7 miles moderate (approximately 1200ft elevation gain)
After our final breakfast at the lodge, we will have a short drive to our trailhead, where we will relish our last hike together at Moraine Lake. The hike today will start as a steady 2-mile climb where we will arrive at a beautiful grove of larch trees signifying our elevation of 7380ft. From this junction we have an easy 1 mile along the slopes of Eiffel Mountain which affords us a magnificent view of the Valley of Ten Peaks. We will have our lunch above Eiffel Lake and simply enjoy the grandeur of these mountains. The return trip offers spectacular views of the mountains to the north and the glistening waters of Moraine Lake far below. Concluding our hike we will drive back to Banff for 4:30pm and say our good-byes.
Watch for our next weeklong retreat in the summer of 2009.
For the summer of 2008 Ronna will be offering weekend retreats. Details will be on the site by Mid May. Please check back soon.
Your fantastic guides will be Iris Mickey and Ronna Schneberger.
Iris
Mickey is an Affiliated Anusara Yoga teacher who is dedicated and passion
about empowering others. Her extensive back ground in rehabilitation, occupational
and massage therapy, in combination with her compassion and humour make
her an exceptional instructor and therapist. Iris teaches from the philosophy
of “start where you’re at”.
Ronna
Schneberger holds a degree in Recreation Management, and has been a
professional guide and naturalist for 12 years in the Canadian Rockies.
She has a unique approach to communicating the connections between the natural
and cultural history of the Rockies which provokes and inspires her listeners.
Ronna is a certified Yoga instructor, and is currently one of the first
people in Canada to teach in the Anusara system of alignment. It is her
goal to help people develop a reverence for this wondrous place, and teach
them how to enhance their personal connection with nature and themselves
where ever they live.