Grassi Lakes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grassi Lakes |
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 Grassi Lakes
Location in Alberta
Grassi Lakes
Location in Canada
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| Location | Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, Alberta |
| Coordinates | 51°04′20″N 115°24′25″W / 51.0722°N 115.4069°W |
| Primary inflows | Spray River |
| Primary outflows | Spray River |
| Basin countries | Canada |
Grassi Lakes are two beautiful, small lakes found high up in the Canadian Rockies mountains. They are located near the town of Canmore, Alberta in Alberta, Canada. These lakes get their water from the Spray Lakes Reservoir, which is part of the Spray River. The land around the lakes is part of the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. This park is also part of a larger park system called Kananaskis Country.
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About Grassi Lakes
The Upper and Lower Grassi Lakes are about 1,525 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level. They offer amazing views of Canmore and the Bow River valley. The lakes are known for their bright, emerald-green water.
Who Was Lawrence Grassi?
The lakes are named after a man named Lawrence Grassi. He moved to Canada in 1912. For several years, he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1916, he started working as a miner in the coal mines of Canmore.
Lawrence Grassi became a very respected climbing guide. He built many trails in the area. One of these trails leads to the lakes that now carry his name.
Fun at Grassi Lakes
The small, emerald-colored Grassi Lakes are a very popular spot. Many people come here for hiking and rock climbing. The lakes are at the bottom of tall, grey cliffs. These cliffs are about 75 meters (246 feet) high.
The Cliffs and Ancient Sponges
The cliffs are part of something called the Cairn Formation. This is a fossil reef that formed a very long time ago. It was created during the Late Devonian period, which was millions of years ago.
The main creatures that built this reef were called stromatoporoids. These were a type of round, bumpy sponge that are now extinct. Rock climbers love these cliffs. They use the holes and pockets left by the ancient sponges as places to hold onto with their hands and feet.
Old Rock Paintings
Near the top of the canyon, just past the lakes, you can find ancient rock paintings. These paintings are more than 1,000 years old. People believe they were painted by the ancestors of the Kootenai people.
