The Smith-Dorrien Rd., also known as the Spray Rd. and highway 742, is a rugged, dusty, washboarded dirt road that heads south out of Canmore into the wilderness. Travel this road through stunning mountain scenery that skirts the Spray Lakes and for 38 km you will not see another building until you arrive at Mt. Engadine Lodge, which is actually hidden from the road by a stand of trees, just a few metres off the road at the Mt. Shark Rd. turn-off. The lodge is on the sloped side of the shallow valley that is home to Smutt's Creek, with fabulous views of Commonwealth Peak, Mt. Birdwood, Mt. Smutts and Pig's Tail.  Mt. Engadine lodge is so unique, given its pure wilderness location that you can drive right up to,  without having to hike for days.  Truly, it is an excellent example of what I would call "accessible wilderness". The opportunities for being active, by nature are endless! Some of the best hiking and biking opportunities in the Rockies are nearby. Also close at hand are fabulous groomed cross-country ski trails at Mt. Shark, snowshoe trails and back-country skiing routes. You can plan your own adventures or participate in guided mountain biking and fat-biking, dog sledding and hiking excursions.

Active by Nature offers a number of hiking tours in the summer that are close to the lodge, namely hikes to Chester Lake, Watridge Lake and the Karst Springs, Rawson Lake, Buller Pass and Burstall Pass. In the winter snowshoeing tours are offered to Chester Lake, Rummel Lake, Watridge Lake and Hogarth Lakes.  My personal favourite is the stunning hike to Burstall Pass during peak alpine flower season (late July to early August) or September when the larches have attained their golden colour.

Mt. Engadine lodge itself is pure delight! It was recently named one of the best hotels in Canada by Fodors Travel.  I have been fortunate enough to enjoy two stays there.  The first time my husband and I stayed in one of their deluxe glamping tents, which come equipped with an ensuite bathroom with shower, super comfy bed, couch and wood burning fireplace along with a private deck.  The second time, I enjoyed a lovely room with a meadow view in the main lodge.  Perhaps next time I will enjoy one of the private cabins.  All stays at the lodge include breakfast, lunch (which they will brown bag for you to take on your adventures) a generous afternoon tea that includes a charcuterie board and baked goodies and a filling, delicious three course dinner.  The lodge has a cozy fireplace, a delightful common room and a deck with a panoramic views of the Smutt's Creek meadow and towering peaks.  I could sit there all day!   I have also called in at the lodge after hiking or skiing nearby for their lovely afternoon tea, which is usually offered from 2 pm to 5 pm daily.  There are some exceptions, so it is advisable to check with the lodge ahead of time to assess availability if you plan to drop by.  

I am delighted to announce a partnership with Mt. Engadine Lodge that allows me to offer people who have booked a tour with me a 15% discount on regular posted rates from June 1st to October 1st and 20% at other times.  What a way to round out a Canadian Rockies adventure!