Ever since the June trip I had wanted to get up again to Bearpaw and without the snow. Second time however we got snow on the ground and in the air.

Ingrid and I met at the border meeting spot just after 8 am. Then the drive, stop at ranger station, drive up Canyon Creek Road and slow ride up a switchby back side-road. parked, geared up, and it was almost 10 am... Enjoyed a wintery type of day with wind, snow fall, and temperature down to -2'C (lunch). back at the car 4 pm... 8 km return took time, negotiating rock, snow and ice, on slopes, and around and over scree and boulders took time. Had a nice break in lee of trees at the ridge bump summit. Then walk down to check out trail along the ridge, conclude we better wait for dry rock to try. Then a hike up a trail along the ridge to just below the part where Bearpaw gets really steep.

PHOTOS:

Trail head, small trail starts out around a wet marshy pond..




Bearpaw Mountain, with Church Mountain foreground...



Valley or bowl ahead, destination is to upper right...


Route takes us ascending to right...


Vantage point over Church Lake...


from near hi point of a ridge leading to Church Mountain, view is of Bearpaw Mtn..



This leads to Church Mountain:




Ascending ridge below us...


































Google air photo image, shows our trail paths in orange...




Topog relieft map shows road access in yellow, trails in orange to/past Church Lake

Nice pictures Karl. We were in that area in July and enjoyed it, good bang for the buck. Looks like some decent colours around the lake!

Beautiful Pictures! It seems no matter how many hikes I do, the list grows longer every year!

Great set of images and looks like a wonderful fall hike! Will have to add this to my list for next year.

Thank you all for your fine comments;

This hike is relatively short, and like you say Martin, get a good bang for the buck. Next year will return on a dry day and try to make it to Church this way.

Mtn. Mom, I know exactly what you mean. The list keeps on going; and I think 100 lifetimes will be hardly enough to experience everything one wants to do.

Dcc._028; yes a well worth it trip, 2nd time was hoping to beat the snow there but did not.

L