Helen Lake, Lake Katherine and Cirque Peak
We decided to chance another visit to the Icefields Parkway. We've been up and down the road before, to comments like "boring road lined by trees". This morning there was no smoke, low cloud or rain to obscure the views, an example of which is today's first picture, of Castle Mountain from the car.
After a 115 km journey we parked opposite the Crowfoot Glacier that we couldn't see last time we stopped beside Bow Lake.
It's a 6 km walk up to Helen Lake, mostly out of the trees but even when in the trees there were peripheral views to the Bow Peak summits. There was also a short 'burnt' section, and another place where it looked as if the trees had been felled by an avalanche.
The cool wind didn't deter us and we enjoyed a cuppa by the lake with a chatty Dutch couple. Our broken flask has been redeployed given the cooler weather and seems fine as long as it stays upright. Otherwise the contents empty into Sue's rucksack.
We continued past some tame marmots to a ridge. Lunch was taken.
Despite the prospect of some wintry showers, Sue chose to climb to the summit of a nearby peak, Cirque Peak - 2993 metres.
Whilst she was doing that I continued along the ridge to a viewpoint where I met a trapper from "the north". He said he had been gobsmacked to see a wolverine on the way up. All we'd seen were marmots, the usual vermin, some small birds such as Black-headed chickadees, and an unidentifiable bird of prey (probably a golden eagle).
From the end of the ridge I descended over rough ground to Lake Katherine and on towards Dolomite Pass, which I may or may not have reached. Anyway, the scenery did look Dolomitic, there was no quick prospect of a different view, and I didn't want to keep Sue waiting.
A good path led back to our lunch spot and soon after that I spotted Sue near our Helen Lake rendezvous point. I dashed down, just making it before she had time to finish the tea. Her ascent had been successful, and a bar of chocolate disappeared by way of celebration.
Then we descended back to the car on the lovely path. Views were now limited as we were on the edge of a snowstorm. We passed some ptarmigan like birds that were probably spruce grouse.
Driving back, via dinner in the Irish pub in Banff, we passed through evidence of the snowstorm that missed us. We were glad to get home, but disappointed to receive an email suggesting dinner with Karen (Superwoman skier who we met in Estonia) and Erik tonight. The horse had bolted. We hope to meet up with them (they live in Canmore) before we leave.
Today's pictures:
• Castle Mountain from the car
• Setting off
• A typical trailhead sign
• On the woodland path
• Crowfoot Glacier
• Burnt forest
• Helen Lake
• Lunch (1)
• Lunch, with Cirque Peak
• Lake Katherine
• Avalanched forest
• On the Icefields Parkway
19.5 km with 650 metres ascent, in 6.25 hours. For Sue, 400 metres extra ascent but about 3 km less distance.
Charlie managed an impressive 230 km.
2 comments:
Why did you not bag the summit also - can't be old age or lack of fitness?
The weather was dubious. The climb looked steep. There was a good alternative. There were plenty of other people around. Twenty years ago I would have gone with her. I'm more sensible now.. ?
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