Picture of the Week

Sat. 26 February: Are these moose running across the Elbow Valley road to summon help by calling 9-1-1-? "Help us- there's someone with a gun!"



Probably not!!

Rainy Pass

Sat. 26 February: Elbow Winter Gate to Rainy Pass

Today a noteworthy event - the forecasters got it exactly right! They called for the snow flurries and cloud to clear away by 10 a.m. leading to clear skies, and a windchill around minus 16 degrees C. This is exactly what happened.

J and I were in two minds as we left the city heading west on Highway 8. We had thought that we would have a go at climbing Eagle Hill, abandoned two weeks ago due to wild winds and blowing snow. But as we drove west, the wind was blowing the snow across the highway, and it was almost as if we were driving along a frozen river. So as we reached the end of the road, where one has to turn right or left, we made an instant decision to turn left and head into Bragg Creek and up the Elbow Valley.

The road was snow-covered and icy, but the mountains were clear ahead, and already there was a hint of some blue sky appearing between the clouds. Parking at the winter gate, we were a little surprised to find a half dozen cars parked already, yet it was not quite 9 a.m. Snow was piled up around the gate.

Our plan was to walk up the road, beyond the winter gate, as far as Rainy Pass. From there we could either make a loop down to the Elbow River, or simply return down the road. There was packed snow on the road surface beyond the gate, and we soon strapped on our snow shoes, for better stability. From here it was a steady climb up the wide road, for five kilometres, curving up the forested valley to Rainy Pass. After a kilometre or so, there was a very good view of the Elbow River, as it swung away to the south side of Rainy Hill, below the high cliffs of Quirk Ridge (Iyarhe Ipan).

As we climbed the pass, gusts of freezing wind would blow the snow across the road in swirls. We could see little whirlwinds of snow high up on the forested slopes above. But by now the strong winds were blowing the clouds away, and the sun came out. It was still very cold, especially in the gusts of wind.

After what seemed like a long slog, we came round a corner in the road, and above us we could see the gentle summit, and then, reaching the top, we were treated to the spectacular view of the snow-covered Front Ranges, right ahead of us to the west. The high ridges of Forgetmenot Mountain dominated the view to the west, with the wilder, more remote Mts. Glasgow, Cornwall, and Banded Peak to the right.

Here on the top of the Pass was a perfect place for a picnic lunch – if we could find a sheltered spot. A group of trees above the road gave us good shelter as well as a panoramic view. The original road down into the Elbow Valley lay hidden in the trees behind us. I had travelled that way last year. Today we decided not to chance that route, as there had been so much snow that it might have been impassable even with snow shoes.

As we strapped our snow shoes back on, a couple with a dog strolled up the snow-covered highway, heading west down towards the valley. The dog barked as it heard our voices. The couple looked back a little surprised to see us. Our tracks had been quickly drifted over by the wind.

We strolled back down the road, enjoying the now cloudless skies, but with a biting wind at our backs. This is a perfect outing for anyone wanting a good workout, with the reward of a “surprise” view at the top. But otherwise, it is a fairly ordinary route. Nevertheless, returning to the winter gate, we now counted over two dozen vehicles parked. We had met several people on the lower section of the road – hikers, snow-shoers, skiers, several of them with their dogs, even a woman towing her little baby in a carriage - its red cheeks glowing in the cold sunshine.

Back at the car, we were both feeling that we had certainly done enough for one day. We stopped at Elbow Falls to admire the icy waters. The volume of water was too great for the river to ice up completely, as had Troll Falls, but it was a very beautiful, wintry, and utterly Canadian sight.

Statistics
Rainy Pass
Sat. 26 February

Total Dist. 10 km (snow shoe)
Height Gain 800 ft.
Max. Elev. 5,700 ft.
Time on trail 4 hrs. 3 mins.

Temperature: minus 9 to minus 5 C (windchill minus 16 to minus 12)

Picture of the Week

Sat. 19 February: Here is a magnificent elk stag hiding in the trees beside the Kananaskis Highway. Wilderness at its best... or not! Take a close-up view of his ear, and you will in fact find that he is merely elk # 133!!!!!

Kananaskis Ski Trails

Sat. 19 February: Kananaskis Ski Trails

The snow conditions this winter have been the best I can ever recall. Today the cross-country ski trails down in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park were in just about perfect condition. The only problem was that, arriving at the Pocaterra trailhead, at sunrise on a cloudless morning, I found that the temperature was minus 25 degrees C! Not surprisingly I found myself alone in the cosy log cabin which acts as the warming hut.

I had started early from town, and ahead of me, sinking towards the western horizon. was a large moon, just past full. Coming up over Scott Hill on the Trans-Canada Highway, I was treated to the spectacular sight of the snow-covered front ranges, looking as high as the Himalayas, hanging in the air.

Halfway down the Kananaskis Valley, I saw a huge elk stag with an enormous set of antlers, standing beside the road. He moved into the trees, but not before I had taken a picture. I was a little disappointed later to find that, in studying the picture on my computer, he had a large number tag in his ear. He was elk # 133!

I had never been inside the Pocaterra warming hut before. It was a pleasant surprise. This spacious log cabin had several tables and benches inside, arranged in front of a log fireplace. Outside were ski racks and a groomed area for new cross-country skiers to practice on. The two large thermometers outside the hut showed that it was minus 25 degrees C.

My journey today would take me up the easy Pocaterra trail, then right onto Lynx, connecting to first Woolley then Meadow, and finally Lodgepole, to bring me back to the start, in a loop which was just short of 12 km.

Pocaterra had just been groomed and track-set, earlier that morning, and amazing to relate, for a sunny Saturday on the most popular route in K Country, I was first on the trail – and I had it all to myself. As I came towards the junction with Lynx, the first sunshine was starting to reach the trail. It was a cloudless, but very cold, day. I wore two hats and two layers of gloves.

Turning onto Lynx, I left the immaculately groomed tracks behind, and was now on skier set tracks. It had snowed almost every day last week, and there was about 3 inches of fresh snow on the trail. Lynx is rated as intermediate, mostly due to one long hill, which was uphill in my direction.

Today’s conditions were as perfect as you will ever find. The “easy” trails were ridiculously easy. The “more difficult” trails were easy, and the “most difficult” section which I encountered at the end of Lodgepole, was a joy. My new boots and old metal edged skis made this one of the most enjoyable outings I have ever had, in over thirty years of cross-country skiing.

Near the junction of Lynx and Woolley I met a guy and then a girl on the trail. They were the only skiers I saw until I returned to the warming hut at Pocaterra.

Woolley runs beside an open meadow with views across to the snowy peaks above, and frozen forested hillsides. In summer there is a lake beside this trail. Meadow Trail actually climbs up through the trees before dropping down a long hillside into the Visitor Centre car park.

I stopped here to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the lounge. This tall-ceilinged log building has a fireplace and comfy seats, with huge windows looking out to the mountains. A group of older people was preparing for a short outing on the ski trails.

Back on Meadow trail, I enjoyed a long descent through the trees, until coming out onto Lodgepole, beneath the power-lines. Here was the only “difficult” section of my trip, a very steep descent. It was a joy, as I whizzed down the steep slope under perfect control.

I was soon back at the start. By now, several other groups had arrived and were preparing to set out on the trail. Inside the warming hut, a dozen younger people were splitting up into the “fast” and “slow” teams for a trip up the same route as I had just completed. It was a relaxed setting and I was glad of the warm cabin to enjoy a sandwich and hot drink, before heading back to town.

The thermometer now showed minus 15 so it had warmed up a lot since I had set out. But it was still a cold day. Of course the best thing about skiing in temperatures below minus 15 is that you can hardly go wrong with the waxing, and that made the whole trip so much better, with great gliding and also good traction up the hills. In fact, it was the perfect day out on skis.


Statistics
Kananaskis Ski Trails
Sat. 19 February

Total Dist. 11.9 km (XC Ski)
Height Gain 260 ft.
Max. Elev. 5,545 ft.
Time on trail 2 hrs. 42 mins.

The Troll

Sat. 12 February: Here, The Passionate Hiker is chatting away to The Troll, who guards the Falls - which at this time of year resemble "frozen music". See today's blog.

Picture of the Week

Sat. 12 February: Someone has added some graffiti which would suggest greater wind-power on the downhill trail. We didn't need any more wind today - the Chinook was whipping up the snow in great whirlwinds as we hurriedly abandoned our first plan for today - Eagle Hill - before we became drifted in. This picture was taken at the top of the steep hill leading up from Troll Falls.

Troll Falls, Skogan Trail

Sat. 12 February: Troll Falls, Skogan Trail

Today my hiking colleague J and I tackled some interesting challenges: wild winds and snow drifts, an ugly Troll guarding his frozen waterfall, steep trails, falling snow, and – for J – his first snow-shoe experience. We survived all these challenges for a great day out in the mountains.

The forecast for Kananaskis Country today was for sunshine and temperatures over zero. Not that we believed it! The skiers rush-hour westwards out of the City was busier than usual, thanks to all the snowfall of the past week. Conditions on the slopes would be ideal today.

Turning south on the Sibbald Creek trail, we immediately left all the traffic behind us. Our plan was to park in Sibbald Lake Recreational Area and walk/snowshoe up to Eagle Ridge. I had done this same trip exactly one year ago today, with only my MICROspikes for help. Today, I thought, we would probably need our snow-shoes, due to all the recent snow. I had overlooked the fierce Chinook winds.

As we drove into the parking area we were hit with violent winds, which were whipping up the snow into a frenzy, drifting crazily across the road as we came to a stop. Getting out of the car, we immediately realized that any idea of travel up to Eagle Hill would be close to impossible, and also that if we didn’t get out of there quickly we would be drifted in. As it was, we only just made it out of the deserted parking area, skidding through the drifting snow.

Plan “B” was for us to continue on the Sibbald Creek trail, into the Kananaskis Valley, where the wind might be less fierce.

We decided to visit the trails below Nakiska ski hill, and this proved to be a good choice. But we would not have it all our way. Instead of howling winds, we now contended with falling snow – but we were happy with the bargain.

Parking below the powerline at Stoney Trail, just off the road to Nakiska, we put on our snow-shoes. This would be J’s first snow-shoe trip, and it took him no time at all to master them.

After a kilometre or so following the powerline down the valley, we turned off into the trees on the Troll Falls trail. We were soon standing below the incredible sight of the frozen waterfall, looking just as if it had been suddenly frozen in mid-fall. It was truly impressive. And guarding the scene was the ugly Troll, who this time I recognized immediately, unlike my previous visit last summer. The Troll and I had a chat as J was busily capturing the scene on his camera. Leaving our Troll and his gloomy canyon, we headed up the hill onto the Skogan Pass trail. We were first on all the trails today, breaking through the two or three inches of new snow, and being careful not to step on the signs of a ski trail which was occasionally visible.

These gentle uphill trails made the perfect workout for the snow-shoer, and J became an instant expert, leading the way uphill with the author working hard to keep up. To our left we had the occasional glimpse of the Nakiska ski hills, but it was misty and the snow was falling steadily. The occasional sound of human voices carried across the hillsides. Up on this lonely trail, we saw no-one until we were heading back down.

Eventually we reached the junction with Sunburst Trail, at the powerline, high up on the forested hillsides, and decided to stop for something to eat before turning around. It was not too far from here to the Hummingbird Plume fire lookout, but we were already 5 km from the start and we agreed that we had done enough for one day.

As is always the case, the downhill journey on our snow-shoes was great fun, especially on the slightly steeper sections where we could stride confidently down the slopes. Now we came across a skier puffing his way up the hill, and then more skiers and some snow-shoers. The day had come alive. We agreed once more that early starts were a very good thing.

It seemed quite a long way back down the hillsides, and steeper than they seemed coming up. Eventually we followed the trails back down to the start, where there were now a dozen other vehicles parked, and people preparing to head out into the snow. The temperatures must have been very close to freezing as the snow was very “wet”, if that makes any sense.

Returning up the Kananaskis Valley and back into town, we immediately left the snow behind and returned to sunny skies. The city had been basking in warm Chinook sunshine, while we had spent the day being snowed on! A very good opening to our joint campaign for 2011.


Statistics
Troll Falls, Skogan Trail
Sat. 12 February

Total Dist. 10.0 km (snow-shoe)
Height Gain 820 ft.
Max. Elev. 5,645 ft.
Time on trail 3 hrs. 42 mins.

Cliff Face

I am beginning to see faces every hike I go on (see picture under "Powderface Pass" below). Now take this cliff face from my most recent trip. Can you see the big black eye, long nose, mouth, beard and a shock of hair? No, I was not dipping into the emergency brandy supply - but it does look real to me - The Passionate Hiker

Picture of the Week

Sat. 5 February: For heavens sake - do they think we're crazy? This sign helpfully points the way directly over a very tall and very vertical cliff!! Luckily I don't follow EVERY instruction I am given - The Passionate Hiker.

Warm-Up

Sat. 5 February: McConnell Ridge

The Passionate Hiker is back on the trails, after a five week break.

Today was a warm-up exercise, but given the time which has passed since my final trip of 2010, today was hard work.

Not that January was wasted. The author completed his account of his 2010 adventures – a 394 page bound volume – and has also created another small account of adventures in the mountains, which is now at the book binders. Also, in January, the Passionate Hiker has developed a nine page listing of potential hikes for 2011, comprising 59 new routes. Not that I expect to cover them all this year!

M wanted a ride to Canmore to pick up her car, so we combined this with my first trip of the year. Joining the skiers rush-hour, we sped west to the snowy Rockies, and were soon in Canmore. We had a nice breakfast together before I returned east on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) and south onto Highway 40 down the Kananaskis Valley.

Today I would snow-shoe up the popular zig-zag trail from Barrier Lake to the McConnell Ridge viewpoint. I was first in the car park. There had not been anyone on the trail since the snowfall earlier in the week. Barrier Lake was of course frozen over, and a cold westerly wind blew across its surface. It was mostly cloudy today.

The Chinook winds had blown the snow off the pathway over the dam, but as soon as I headed up onto the hillsides, the snow was lying, and it was soon time to put on my snow shoes. This is a great trail for a warm-up. There are twelve switchbacks leading to the top of the ridge. Zig number three and the final zag number twelve were quite long, and the latter steep, but the other switchbacks were fairly short. It was just a matter of slowly shuffling up the trail, getting back some of the stamina I used to have before my recent break. Higher up the trail, the snow had drifted over since the last person had come this way, but this was ideal for my ‘shoes.

Finally I reached the site of the old Pigeon fire lookout, removed in the early 1980’s. Despite the cloud, it was still a superb view down to Barrier Lake and the Kananaskis Valley, and the mountains all around.

To reach McConnell Ridge, one has to climb a steep trail up through the cliffs, onto the summit. The snow had really drifted here. I removed my snow shoes and put on my MICROspikes, as the gradient became much steeper. Reaching the cliff, I could hardly gain any grip, even with my ‘spikes. But I heaved myself up the steepest bit and came out onto the summit. The snow had drifted deeply on the ridge-top. This is called Prairie Viewpoint, as one can also see east across to the distant prairies.

This was enough for me today. The extra few hundred feet to the fire lookout would most likely be engulfed in deep snowdrifts and I wasn’t sure I was up to that final push. So after admiring the stunning views, I very carefully returned down the cliff, making sure not to make one little mistake – which might have been costly. Now with my snowshoes back on, I ploughed happily downhill, even taking some of the steep shortcuts between the switchbacks. Here I met a guy hiking up the hill with his dog. Much lower down the hillside I passed a man and his son with their dog, but that was it.

Out on Barrier Lake, a couple of ice fishing tents had been erected, its occupants protected from the cold westerly breeze.

This had been an ideal place to declare the 2011 season open. Returning to town, I saw a winter storm sweeping westwards over Moose Mountain. Just a couple of hours later, M told me that the TCH was engulfed in the snow and cloud, making it a very tricky drive home for the ski crowd. But I was already back home, and enjoying a long, hot shower.

I wonder what adventures 2011 may bring? My list is ready!

6 pm Sat. winter storm warning:

An Arctic ridge is continuing to push cold air into the Mountain Parks against the foothills. Unstable and moist airmass combined with upslope flow will be generating heavy snow fall amounts in the Kananaskis, Okotoks, Crowsnest Pass and Cardston regions tonight. 10 to 20 centimetres of snow is expected to fall by Sunday morning in these regions. Another low pressure system will develop by Monday morning located just south of Alberta border. This system will continue to generate upslope flow over the foothills. Another 10 to 20 centimetres of snow is expected to fall by Monday morning in the Banff, Kananaskis and Jasper regions. The heavy snow fall is expected to end by Monday evening.

Statistics
McConnell Ridge
Sat. 5 February

Total Dist. 2.2 km (hike) + 7.6 km (‘shoe) = 9.8 km
Height Gain 1,640 ft.
Max. Elev. 6,150 ft.
Time on trail 3 hrs. 40 mins.