Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Unpacking the car at the trailhead.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
It's an easy pull-off to miss. If you get to the Crowsfoot Lookout Sign, you have gone just a bit too far.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The tape directly west of the pull-off is a disused trail. It peters out in bog pretty quickly, but the bog opens up and the views are lovely. If you don't mind wet feet, it's not so bad. Alternatively you can walk south down the highway to three orange
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
You get super views from the meadow as you walk beside Bow Lake. Bow is fed by the Wapta Icefield and the Bow Glacier. The river it feeds gives its name to the Bow Valley. The river flows south and then east heading through Calgary.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The final bulge of Bow Lake with the Crowfoot Glades and Glacier in the distance.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The Lake is glacial fed, but it is warmer then you'd expect. Keep to the shore, and the trail will reappear.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The end of the lake is where the Bow River begins. This requires a river crossing. At it's deepest the water is about 80 centimeters deep in August. It can vary depending on rain, heat, and snowmelt. Trekking poles are strongly recommended.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
A good comfort strategy is to bring extra socks or a pack towel to dry your feet.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
From here the trail is gentle singletrack through the woods. It's a less travelled trail thanks to the river crossing, so expect the odd bush in the face.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Just down the trail you will get a superb view of the Bow picking up speed.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The trail gets steeper.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Beyond this the trees are spaced well apart. Even in summer the appeal of this place as a ski touring destination is obvious.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Bridges to cross.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Beyond this the trees are spaced well apart. Even in summer the appeal of this place as a ski touring destination is obvious.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Up into the alpine toward Bow Peak.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Breaking tree line the route starts to come into view. To the left Bow Peak looks imposing, but head for the col ahead to access the gentler incline of the west face.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
There is plenty of wildlife here. Grouse, pika and marmots hang about. They seem friendly, though they may be over fed by well intentioned hikers. Sadly this makes them less likely to survive winter as high glucose foods won't last the winter.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Behold, the west face. There are two options to ascend. The more common route is up the gulley on the right-hand side. If you walk off the path across the meadow, you arrive at the talus field. Follow it down until to you spot a series of cairns.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Looking back toward the highway.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The route starts gently before rapidly slowing down into a talus slog with the occasional bursts of scree.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Talus hiking.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
As you gain altitude you begin to get a look onto the Wapta Icefield. Balfour, Lillaput, and even Trolltinder mountain are visible.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The ridge is a wonderful spot. It's quite wide by rocky standards and makes for an excellent rest stop.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Beyond the summit appears fairly close, though there is still a decent chunk of climbing to go.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
There are plenty of good spots to scramble up rocks, but nearly all of them can be circumvented to the west with ease.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
It's mostly just lots of lovely walking.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
More steep steps and gorgeous views.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Looking to the east, you can see down the precipitous face. This is actually looking down the Grand Daddy Couloir, a choice route for ascending and skiing in winter.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The summit draws near. Just a few more stones to hop.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The summit is well marked.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
To start the descent, head back about 200 meters to the gulley.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The wide gulley is a favorite ascent route, but it is also by the far the more pleasant descent route.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
The terrain makes for superb scree running.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
Here is the start of the route, and also where the talus section ends.
Tam McTavish
Photo Date: 
08/20/2018
There are several ways to approach this peak in winter as well. This is looking up the Grand Daddy Couloir.