Fri, Jul 22 2011, Sat, Jul 23 2011, Sun, Jul 24 2011 - Bow Peak & Panorama Ridge (View Original Event Details)
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What a great weekend!
We left Edmonton on Friday after-noon in pouring rain. We arrived in Banff at the Mosquito Creek CG and were able to set up tents, eat dinner, and view the youth hostel across the creek without rain but in heavy cloud.
The next morning we awoke to very heavy clouds and pockets of rain. This did not deter us too much as we geared up for our day's objective, Panorama Ridge. We drove towards Lake Louise then up to Morraine Lake trailhead. Clouds still swirling around us, we started hiking up the Consolation Lakes trail. The 2.9km to the lower Consolation Lake did not take long at all. We took a rest and some photos here before trying to figure out how to cross Babel Creek without getting wet. I made the mistake of forgetting my crocs so crossed the creek barefoot which was uncomfortable. The rest of the group went across in their boots leaving them soaking wet. Once across the creek, the directions were easy. Cut through a small section of trees and up a large avalanche slope. The slope was certainly foreshortened but we did manage to gain elevation in good time. A member of our group lost his toque a couple times and needed to go back to find it. We did not see him again until days end. The rest of us continued up to the 2800m north summit of Panorama Ridge. The clouds were still swirling but after a while opened up to reveal a great view. We enjoyed the summit before continuing along the ridge until steep pinnacles forced us down. We found a decent slope to descend taking us between the Consolation Lakes. We followed a rough shoreline trail along Lower Consolation Lake, crossed Babel Creek again then taking the easy trail back to the parking lot. Certainly a great but tiring day out. We went back to our campground to cook dinner and sleep.
The next day we awoke to clear skies! Today was Bow Peak. This was to be my favourite. We drove the short 10km up the road and found the unsigned trailhead with flagging and a cairn. The trail was excellent to Bow Lake. Here we had to ford Bow River at the outlet of Bow Lake. This was an easy ford. I remembered my crocs and enjoyed an easy but cold ford. The others crossed as well some in barefeet some with their boots still on. We made our way up the trail towards Crowfoot Pass reaching the pass by 12 noon. Here we enjoyed a great view, a great pass complete with a couple beautiful tarns. We surveyed the ascent of Bow Peak but only two of us wished to make the attempt of Bow Peak. The other two further explored the broad pass before waiting at one of the unamed tarns along the pass. Josephine and I began making our way up the boulder slopes and gained the ridge as quickly as we could. From here, I decided to quickly summit as I seemed to have found some energy to quickly reach the summit. Josephine decided a summit was not in her plans today and shortly after reaching the ridge crest of Bow Peak, she returned. The scrambling was easy to the summit and very enjoyable. A group of 4 guys met me on the summit and we took photos of each other. The view from the summit of Bow Peak was amazing! Mountains and glaciers as far as the eye could see! Mt Assiniboine was awesome as well as peaks to the north. After spending 50 mins on the summit, I relunctanly returned to the pass and found the other 3 at the tarn. Our return along the trail was quick and at 6pm or so, we were back at the highway.
A stop at the 7-11 in Rocky was our dinner and we arrived back in Edmonton at 11:15pm. Overall, it was an amazing weekend. I am certainly glad that I was able to summit the peaks and enjoy fine company as well. Thanks to all for coming and welcome to the EOC, Ben!
Jeff
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Mark G at photos@edmontonoutdoorclub.com. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to thirty of your favourites (only) for a day event, or up to sixty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.