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The weather for next week promises snow for 7 days and temperatures falling to -26 in the city so I thought I would make the most of the mild winter and head out toward Kananaskis again and get another short hike in before it's too late.
I turned off the Trans-Canada Highway at Highway 40 and headed South for just 9km before turning into the Barrier Dam car park, smiling as I see I have the place to myself.
Barrier Lake is a beautiful sight, frozen and largely covered with snow it provides a blank canvas around which the nearby mountains rest.
The hike begins by crossing Barrier Lake Dam which snakes its way across the Northern end of the lake.
Once across the Dam the path becomes a real nightmare, ankle deep dry powder snow would be fine, but ankle deep snow with a stream of solid ice beneath it is a nightmare. The micro spikes get full of snow and hardly seem worthwhile but without them it is a real 'Torvil & Dean' event. I try to stick close to the edge of the path and head off into the bare trees toward the fir covered slopes ahead.
The snow soon becomes much deeper and I stop skating around so much though I still suffer an occasional 'leg in the air moment' when caught unaware (such as stepping over this log across the trail)
it feels like a long and slow grind through the pine forest with the ice beneath the snow ever present. As I climb higher the snow gets a little deeper and the switchbacks on the trail are seemingly endless, but it is a beautiful day and the additional thigh work caused by the unstable footing is worth it.
after about 4.5km through the trees I break out onto a stunning viewpoint where the snow has been blown clear and footing is at last good.
Ahead I see the bare rock face I am heading to and beyond that the optional additional climb to the fire lookout. Unfortunately between me and the rock face is a good steep slope with a healthy covering of snow.
initially it is possible to skirt the tree line and avoid the really deep stuff whilst taking in the spectacular views.
Eventually I have no choice but to break out into the deep stuff and plod on up the increasingly treacherous slope which is almost impossible in places thanks to the ice beneath.
it was nice to find a small clear area to take a short rest and enjoy the scenery a while. I was glad that my boots and gaiters were holding up well with no sign of cold or wet permeating even though I had been over boot depth in snow for the largest part of the journey.
I was now on an intermediate ridge looking back on the route along the tree line that had taken me this far
The route ahead was steep and covered in deep snow, I knew from reading other reports that higher up there was a short scramble which would be tricky in these conditions, I hung my rucksack on a tree and headed up with walking poles only.
I tried to zig-zag where possible and circle around the steepest sections where the snow would allow, but it was hard going, sinking thigh deep with every step and stopping to rest every dozen or so steps.
but, eventually I reached the top of the ridge and the fantastic viewpoint, there was little snow on the ridge itself so I was able to wander around safely and take in the vistas.
Once I had rested a little up top I considered making the additional climb to the fire lookout tower, but the conditions meant it would have taken too long leaving me with terrible underfoot conditions on a steep slope and darkness looming. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and opted for spending a few more minutes on the ridge instead.
Looking to the North East the mountains dry out and the vast flat plains of the prairie stretch out toward Calgary. From here almost the entire hike is in view from the tip of the lake (below right) through the pine forest and along the bare fronted ridge to where I'm standing with the camera.
I take a final look around and get myself a summit shot before head back down, the wind chill here is pretty bad and it is very cold now.
the descent was nowhere near as effective as the ascent and I slip and slide, stumble and fall my way back down through the trees creating a whole new pathway as I go.
back on the safety of the lower ridge I enjoy a food and drink break in the shelter of the trees and feel the last warmth of the sun as it dips in the sky toward the distant horizon.
what little snow remains on the ridge is sculpted into wave upon wave by the incessant wind
after enjoying the ridge for a while I stride back down through the forest falling so often I actually lost count, though a good coating of snow meant a cushioned landing each time. I soon found myself back on flat ground heading out toward the car park.
This is a hike I will have to return to in order to reach the fire lookout that was just out of reach this time. I think I made the right decision given the conditions, I'll return when the snow has gone (or when I've got my crampons!) and when I do I'll make a circular walk of it.
So my second Rocky Mountain hike is completed safely, I'll stick to the plan and keep easing in....though my thighs wouldn't necessarily agree on the ease of this particular hike I think in summer this will be a little cracker.
