Helen Shoulder

More info to come.

Mount Jimmy Simpson

More info to come.

Bryant Creek Shelter iii (Overnight)

More info to come!

Trip #2

Initial trip

Wawa Ridge

More information to come.

Bow Hut

More info to come.

Egypt Lake Shelter (Overnight)

Name: Egypt Lake Shelter

Activity: Backcountry Camping/Backpacking

Total Distance: ~30 km

# Nights: 2

Date: September 29 - October 1, 2018

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Ben
Trailhead: Sunshine Parking Area/Gondola Base

Route: 
Day 1 - Sunshine to Egypt Lake Shelter (12 km, ~700m)
Day 2 - Pharaoh Peak (~6 km, ~800m)
Day 3 - Egypt Lake Shelter to Sunshine (12 km, ~400m)


Ben and I really wanted to get out to the mountains for an over-nighter since we didn't get as many in this year as we like to. As the weekend drew nearer, the weather forecast became worse, and as we watched the vacancy rise in Egypt Lake Shelter, we decided to book it. We decided to maybe do a day-hike on day 2 but if the weather was too poor, we were happy with hanging out at the shelter and reading. Luckily, the weather held out long enough for us to summit Pharaoh Peak, and it started to snow just as we returned! The hike out was snowy and low-vis but we had an awesome time... ski season is just around the corner!

I came here with Julia and Jeevan in 2015.

 At Healy Pass (day 1)

Looking over towards Egypt/Scarab Lake. Pharaoh Peak on the right.

Pharaoh Peak

Hike Name: Pharaoh Peak

Activity: Hiking/Scrambling

Distance: ~6 km (RT from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Altitude: 2,713 m

Elevation Gain: ~800 m (from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Ben

Time to Summit: ~2 hrs (from Egypt Lake Shelter)

Lisa's Mom Rating: Maybe

Trailhead: Egypt Lake Shelter or Sunshine Ski Resort Parking Lot

Additional Info:

We stopped at Egypt Lake on the way up to Pharaoh Peak (slight detour). It was a cold summit day, we were lucky enough to hike Pharaoh Peak on a Sunday, so it was tracked out in the snow for us from hikers the previous day. It was quite steep in the snow and the wind was very brisk but the view from the top was absolutely stunning. May be some of the best views in BNP. We had perfect timing on this hike, as it started to snow right as we returned to the shelter.

 Ben on the way up

 Myself on the way up

 Still on our way up.

 On the summit!

Couple Selfie!

Crowfoot Glades

Name: Crowfoot Glades
Activity: Alpine Touring/Backcountry Skiing

Distance: ? km

Altitude: ~2,300 m

Elevation Gain: ~700 m

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Bennett, Jon, Emma, Jake

Time to Summit: ?

Trailhead: Pullover on the side of the road to intersect the south end of Bow Lake.

Getting There:

From the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1), head north on the Icefield Parkway (Hwy 93). Continue about 30 km.

Additional Info:

So, we were supposed to ski Crowfoot Glades on Saturday after skiing Narao Glades with Jon on Friday. We all woke up a little bit hung over and decided to skip it. Craving the outdoors all day and failing to forgive ourselves for skipping a mountain day, we decided at 11pm Saturday night that it would be a great idea to do Crowfoot Glades the next day, even though Bennett and I had to be back for 5PM Easter dinner... and it was a great idea! We had an unreal day, skiing 3 or 4 laps, with only 1 other group in the area. The snow was the best I've ever skiied in, straight chaaampagne powder!! What a great ski day. Then we went back to my parents place for a lovely steak dinner. Yum.

 Crossing the lake towards the glades (seen on the left of the photo)

 4 abreast.

 Spot 2 ski tourers?

 Adventurin'

 The only sun we had all day

 Keep risin'.

Searchin' for dat good good!

Pipestone Loop

Activity: Pipestone Loop X-Country Skiing

Distance: 15 km 

Area: Banff National Park (Lake Louise)

Crew: Bennett

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Bennett and I booked the Rundle Cabins in Harvey Heights for Saturday night and decided to pack up the vehicle with all of our different types of skis and head to the hills. We settled on cross country skiing the Pipestone Loop just past the Lake Louise Ski Resort. It was a beautiful day and we both had tons of energy. We later ate at the Blake (not the Drake) a new restaurant in Canmore, which was unbelievably delicious!

 Goon 1

Goon 2

Moraine Lake (Winter)

Activity: Moraine Lake Road X-Country Skiing

Distance: 16 km ?

Area: Banff National Park (Lake Louise)

Crew: Steph, Mark

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

After many -30C days this winter and many cancelled cross country ski outings with Steph, we finally decided that it was no longer an excuse to not go on a bluebird day. Mark joined us as we skied up the Moraine Lake Road in the wintertime - truly a beautiful trail and a great view of the Valley of the Ten Peaks at the end! To go all the way to the lake, there are a few avi slide paths to cross. Hearing a few avalanches around us as we skied, we decided not to venture any further.

 Temple, baby.

 Valley of the Ten Peaks

 The crew!

Me & Steph

Healy Pass

Trail Name: Healy Pass
Activity: Alpine Touring/Backcountry Skiing

Distance: ~19 km (RT)

Altitude: 2,300 m

Elevation Gain: ~700 m

Area: Banff National Park

Crew: Bennett

Time to Summit: ?

Trailhead: Sunshine Village Gondola Parking

Getting There:

From the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1), take the exit to Sunshine Resort and park in the lot (there is a backcountry lot past the hoards of resort-ski-vehicles, if you get there early enough there may be space).

Additional Info:

Bennett and I really wanted to get out on this weekend so we chose some simple terrain where we could just get a solid hike in/a beautiful day outdoors. The approach is quite long but we enjoyed it immensely!

Single photo day.

Bow Glacier Falls

Trail Name: Bow Glacier Falls
Activity: Hiking

Distance: 9.2 km (RT)

Altitude: ~2,100 m

Elevation Gain: 180 m

Area: Icefields Parkway

Crew: Mikaila and Rachel

Time to Summit: ?

Trailhead: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge

Getting There:

Heading north on the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93), take the exit on the left at Bow Lake/Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.

Additional Info:

Mikaila was in town so we decided to go into the mountains and get our fix! We stopped at Bow Lake to check out the shore but ended up walking to Bow Glacier Falls. Gotta love a little impromptu hike! It's funny because I had all my hiking gear in the car but I ended up doing the hike in my big parka and winter boots instead of my actual gear. It started out as a walk to the lake.. progressed into a little exploring around the trail.. then turned into a 9km hike... way she goes!

 Mik and I

 Mik, Myself and Rayho

 At Bow Lake

 Hikin'.

The Falls from a distance

Bryant Creek Cabin ii (Overnight)

Name: Bryant Creek Shelter

Activity: Backpacking

Total Distance: 60 km

# Nights: 2

Date: September 22 - September 24, 2017

Area: Banff National Park/Assiniboine Provincial Park

Crew: Ben, Laura, Mark
Trailhead: Mount Shark Trailhead

Route: 
Day 1 - Trailhead to Bryant Creek Shelter (15km)
Day 2 - Day trip to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park (via Assiniboine Pass) and back to Bryant Creek Shelter via Wonder Pass (~30km)
Day 3 - Bryant Creek Shelter back to Mount Shark Trailhead (15km)

We were originally going to do Northover Ridge on this weekend. The weather ended up being forecasted to be down to -10 at night and there was snow on the ridge so we ended up trying to find something else to do last-minute. We frantically searched for shelters, huts, and cabins in the area and settled on the Bryant Creek Shelter - again! Luckily we got a spot in the shelter on short notice and even had Saturday night to ourselves. Mainly because I called for availability 2 days prior to arrival, which happened to be the morning that the shelter and area opened again after the fires. So, lucky us! Anyways. We enjoyed an awesome day trip up to Assiniboine lodge - where the clouds were gloomy and we only caught a glimpse or two of Assiniboine's summit - then headed for Wonder Pass, where the weather was gorgeous, sunny, and hot. Bennett made his dehydrated meals (scrambled eggs or omelettes with salsa for breakfast and curry or chili for dinner!), which were delicious as always. Gotta love the dehydrator.

Hiking In

 Hiking In

Assiniboine Herself

 Larch Season!

 Bennett and the Towers

Mark, Laura, and Ben on Wonder Pass

We also came here on a ski trip in the winter in early 2017 and again in 2019.

Mount Fairview

Hike Name: Mount Fairview

Activity: Hiking 

Distance: 9.3 km (RT)

Altitude: 2,747 m

Elevation Gain: 1008 m

Area: Banff National Park (Lake Louise)

Crew: Bennett, Steph, Julia

Time to Summit: 2 hours

Lisa's Mom Rating: Yes

Trailhead: Lake Louise


Additional Info:
We wanted to hike Wenkchemna pass, as we knew the smoke would obscure summit views today. However when we got to the Moraine Lake parking lot, AS ALWAYS it was packed and we were unable to park after doing a few loops. We decided to park at Lake Louise instead and go up Mount Fairview. It started raining just as we left the summit. Perfect timing.

 Summit Pano. Temple on the left.

Looking towards St. Piran, Niblock, Whyte, and Steph.

 Bennett bein' a stud as usual

The girls and the smoke!