High on the Mountain Top
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Fraser Valley
Interest: Photography, Nature Observation, Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Shinrin-yoku
Posts: 1,730
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zeljkok
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Oct 25 '20 After over a week of Arctic blast that brought head-on winter to Bow Valley, things are clearing up.
I like the first two shots because the clouds really adds to the photo.
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Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by solo75
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The weather prediction for winter is for cold and snow. At the coast here, there was also an abrupt transition from mild to cold. Autumn isn't over but got overshadowed by an early winter.
I like the first two shots because the clouds really adds to the photo.
I like the first two shots because the clouds really adds to the photo.
I saw that prediction too. Things even out; after gorgeous summer and way above average September. And then we could get warm January; you never know. Coast weather btw is not that far away from Rockies/Prairies; only real difference is Pacific great equalizer (rain vs snow)
Clouds were really good & I took pano of only sky. Sometimes I replace sky on landscapes, but had only regular frames saved. Wide will come handy 8057 x 2844
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Nov 17, '20
Cascade River bridge ~km 5 of Cascade Fireroad. Some fat bike tracks, not enough to x-country ski (yet)
Had lunch at official campground just across the bridge before turning back. This campground is very nice, it is hard to see too many people coming to overnight here as this is one of least exciting valleys in BNP
Looks like kitty used the bridge to cross the River too
Cascade River bridge ~km 5 of Cascade Fireroad. Some fat bike tracks, not enough to x-country ski (yet)
Had lunch at official campground just across the bridge before turning back. This campground is very nice, it is hard to see too many people coming to overnight here as this is one of least exciting valleys in BNP
Looks like kitty used the bridge to cross the River too
Last edited by zeljkok; 11-19-2020 at 12:42 AM.
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Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Dec 22, '20
Wet Pacific front from BC (thanks) dumped huge amounts of snow over the Rockies. They are saying Calgary got 40-50cm. Even more in Banff/Canmore, can't quite remember this. People were skiing and snowshoeing on city streets. I walked up to Quarry Lake, my usual stroll, and it actually felt like a hike. Some pics
[Bow River bridge looking towards the Sisters]
[Along Quarry Lake trail, leaving residential]
[Quarry Lake, already broken trail by snowshoes. I just booted but did get wet feet as it is quite warm]
Enjoy winter; skiers will be happy
Wet Pacific front from BC (thanks) dumped huge amounts of snow over the Rockies. They are saying Calgary got 40-50cm. Even more in Banff/Canmore, can't quite remember this. People were skiing and snowshoeing on city streets. I walked up to Quarry Lake, my usual stroll, and it actually felt like a hike. Some pics
[Bow River bridge looking towards the Sisters]
[Along Quarry Lake trail, leaving residential]
[Quarry Lake, already broken trail by snowshoes. I just booted but did get wet feet as it is quite warm]
Enjoy winter; skiers will be happy
Scaling New Heights
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Posts: 74
Banff - Alexandra Valley
I was wondering whether it were possible to ski or snowshoe into the Alexandra Valley along the river bottom. This requires a crossing of the heavily braided North Saskatchewan river, but avoids avalanche paths along the existing hiking trail.
I went there on Dec 17, 2020 and can report that both the North Saskatchewan and the Alexandra rivers are frozen over. The snow averaged about 1 m deep. Snowshoers and skiers can depart from the Sunset Pass trailhead to access the campsite at Terrace Creek (approx 10 km). It should be possible to follow the Alexandra along the river bottom to the confluence of the Castleguard River.
I went there on Dec 17, 2020 and can report that both the North Saskatchewan and the Alexandra rivers are frozen over. The snow averaged about 1 m deep. Snowshoers and skiers can depart from the Sunset Pass trailhead to access the campsite at Terrace Creek (approx 10 km). It should be possible to follow the Alexandra along the river bottom to the confluence of the Castleguard River.
Scott Meadows
esmeadows@gmail.com
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by esmeadows
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I was wondering whether it were possible to ski or snowshoe into the Alexandra Valley along the river bottom. This requires a crossing of the heavily braided North Saskatchewan river, but avoids avalanche paths along the existing hiking trail.
I went there on Dec 17, 2020 and can report that both the North Saskatchewan and the Alexandra rivers are frozen over. The snow averaged about 1 m deep. Snowshoers and skiers can depart from the Sunset Pass trailhead to access the campsite at Terrace Creek (approx 10 km). It should be possible to follow the Alexandra along the river bottom to the confluence of the Castleguard River.
I went there on Dec 17, 2020 and can report that both the North Saskatchewan and the Alexandra rivers are frozen over. The snow averaged about 1 m deep. Snowshoers and skiers can depart from the Sunset Pass trailhead to access the campsite at Terrace Creek (approx 10 km). It should be possible to follow the Alexandra along the river bottom to the confluence of the Castleguard River.
Very useful info. Might head there later on when days get a bit longer.
How far did you go?
Scaling New Heights
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeljkok
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Very useful info. Might head there later on when days get a bit longer.
How far did you go?
How far did you go?
Scott Meadows
esmeadows@gmail.com
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Jan 23 '21
Cold snap finally arrived to Rockies, but it is also very beautiful. Ice chunks are flowing on Bow River, one can walk on frozen side channels and there are many wildlife tracks everywhere. This is a pic of sunset over Three Sisters, very beautiful quiet and pristine
Cold snap finally arrived to Rockies, but it is also very beautiful. Ice chunks are flowing on Bow River, one can walk on frozen side channels and there are many wildlife tracks everywhere. This is a pic of sunset over Three Sisters, very beautiful quiet and pristine
High on the Mountain Top
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Fraser Valley
Interest: Photography, Nature Observation, Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Shinrin-yoku
Posts: 1,730
There's nothing like beautiful mountains to photograph. I'm restricted to forest shots. I don't suppose that clear area on the mountainside is due to logging?
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by solo75
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I don't suppose that clear area on the mountainside is due to logging?
Here is 1 more shot, from nearby spot, but now looking more west towards Banff. You can see that cliff on Grassi Knob like a scar center left. Cascade Mtn, one of 2 main Banff Landmarks, is distance center right, and extreme right are peaks at north side of Bow Valley, still lit by low sun
Last edited by zeljkok; 01-24-2021 at 06:01 PM.
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Jan 29 '21
Went for usual photo walk in Bow Valley Provincial Park: Middle Lake -- Many Springs -- Whitefish & had it entirely to myself. Now is a good time because road is closed past Middle Lake & I prefer to walk that way to Many Springs as hiking trail is entirely in montane forest while road is mostly in the open passing by couple of very nice meadows; distance is the same. Lots of deer and hare tracks; couple of ospreys flying around. Some big trees across the road just above Whitefish parking area & AB Parks will have some clearing to do. Couple of pics from Whitefish picnic area, first looking north across Bow River towards Yamnuska and second west towards Bow Valley
Went for usual photo walk in Bow Valley Provincial Park: Middle Lake -- Many Springs -- Whitefish & had it entirely to myself. Now is a good time because road is closed past Middle Lake & I prefer to walk that way to Many Springs as hiking trail is entirely in montane forest while road is mostly in the open passing by couple of very nice meadows; distance is the same. Lots of deer and hare tracks; couple of ospreys flying around. Some big trees across the road just above Whitefish parking area & AB Parks will have some clearing to do. Couple of pics from Whitefish picnic area, first looking north across Bow River towards Yamnuska and second west towards Bow Valley
Last edited by zeljkok; 01-29-2021 at 10:49 PM.
Scaling New Heights
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Posts: 74
I finally went to Terrace Creek for two nights Jan 31-Feb 2. The trip in on skis was fine, but the way out was really tough with 40cm of new snow. 11.5km sounds like an easy hiking day but not so much breaking trail in deep snow. And when we got back to the trailhead parking, we had to dig out a 60m path from our vehicles to the Parkway.
I'm still a newbie to ski touring and winter camping, and pretty much got my butt kicked. It was really hard and could have been dangerous. Next time I won't be as ambitious.
Picture is along Terrace Creek near campsite.
I'm still a newbie to ski touring and winter camping, and pretty much got my butt kicked. It was really hard and could have been dangerous. Next time I won't be as ambitious.
Picture is along Terrace Creek near campsite.
Scott Meadows
esmeadows@gmail.com
Last edited by esmeadows; 02-13-2021 at 01:07 AM.
Scaling New Heights
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeljkok
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Glad you recovered. There is real passion in you for the outdoors in you & I really think you need to cross the next step. Watching your terrific videos and seeing you going "ahhh" and "ohhh" when you see some peak from valley bottom, I just can't help thinking how much much much more you can have. For example, South Boundary is epic and all that, but in many respects a waste of time from scenery perspective; 7-10 days for Cairn Pass (where it rained for you), Brazeau Lake and Nigel Pass?? Way too little! Patton&Robinson book I think you are basing your trips on is legend, but just a tip of the iceberg. There are so many other places you can spend entire day after day in the alpine without seeing anyone. It's all right there for someone with your backpacking skills I wish I had.
Looking forward to learn how was the next hike
(Btw, Canmore bakeries suck *hint, hint*)
Looking forward to learn how was the next hike
(Btw, Canmore bakeries suck *hint, hint*)
Summit Master
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Anywhere except social media
Posts: 5,435
Quote:
Originally Posted by howesthehike
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JUST saw this! I need to log in more.... Open to those ideas!!!!
You SHOULD log in more ;=)
btw I really enjoyed your WCT videos last wk, both of them. Hilarious sequences too, like when girls play their music on trail & you make faces.
Scaling New Heights
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Posts: 74
Ha, ha, zeljkok and I couldn't have a more different perspective. I'm glad for him and that our world accommodates everyone. I'm usually pretty happy to walk quietly on a valley floor trail with soft pine needles underfoot, occasionally drawing water from a cold mountain creek, and camping among the pines with a view toward distant peaks. The peace and solitude are restorative.
How 'bout this for a different perspective:
6 hours to the top of Northover Ridge? "Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies" is a great book, but all they want is views! When you get there it's all rocks! Everything looks the same, except for the snow pitifully struggling to survive in the cold dark shadows. Want a drink? Melt snow, sucker! Sweet misery as you hunker down to keep from being blown over a 300m precipice by the 80 kph winds. Enjoy! :-)
How 'bout this for a different perspective:
6 hours to the top of Northover Ridge? "Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies" is a great book, but all they want is views! When you get there it's all rocks! Everything looks the same, except for the snow pitifully struggling to survive in the cold dark shadows. Want a drink? Melt snow, sucker! Sweet misery as you hunker down to keep from being blown over a 300m precipice by the 80 kph winds. Enjoy! :-)
Scott Meadows
esmeadows@gmail.com
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