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Rockies :: Icefields :: Bow Peak |
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Panoramic view south from Bow Peak summit. Hector Lake below in foreground, Balfour glacier and Peak upper right. Louise group just left of center in the distance. Mt. Hector far left |
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Trip Summary | |||
September 4, 2020Bow Peak is interesting Iciefields scramble with high reward::effort ratio. Despite having been published in hiking guidebook, it is still relatively less climbed - at least when compared with popular Kane ascents across the Highway. Chief reason is unavoidable ford of Bow Lake outlet on approach. Early in season when water is high (or after early autumn snowfalls) this ford might not be feasible, thus leaving fairly narrow timeframe window. Optimal timing is second half of august / early September when slow moving water will typically be below the knee. Pair of old sandals or sneakers that can be stashed after crossing and picked on return greatly facilitate the crossing. Peak is sometimes climbed on skis in winter, although steep north slopes are avalanche prone. Scenic Crowfoot Pass is worthy destination on its own if level of energy is low.
Parking is on west side of Icefields Parkway 2 km north from Mosquito creek hostel. It will be just before tourist signs for Crowfoot Glacier pull-out. Hiking book advises walking back on shoulder of highway for couple of minutes to "trailhead" but this is entirely unnecessary. Instead follow faint but distinct trail right from the parking area. It leads quickly to vast meadow where it vanishes. Pick your way across the meadow to Bow Lake, then follow lakeshore trail left (south) till you reach lake outlet and obvious ford site; main trail joins here. Crossing is wide but footing is solid and water moves quite slowly (it is still cold!). Trail then follows very young Bow River for ~15min or so, then after crossing creek draining Crowfoot Pass tarns turns right and starts the ascent. There is usually some deadfall and muddy areas here. Upon reaching treeline trail ascends pretty valley and tops on Crowfoot Pass passing between two beautiful tarns; ~1:30 - 1:45 from the parking. From the pass turn left and ascend boulder slope; large blocks are quite stable and footing solid. Bits of "trail" can be found in upper part. Topping up on the ridge (45 min to an hour from the pass) fabulous eastern panorama unfolds. Ridge is then followed to the summit. Unfortunately it is not one of these "hands in your pockets" ridgewalks; quartzite boulders rear up and there are couple of moderate scrambling moves negotiating this obstacle. Approaching summit block note wide talus gully (cairns) that is recommended descent option. Upon topping up on false summit, true summit (with huge cairn) is easy 5 minute flat walk away; about 1.5 hours from Crowfoot Pass. Summit panorama is simply fabulous and much time can be spent identifying various peaks along Icefields corridor and eastern parts of Banff NP.
Return the same way, utilizing talus gully for descent. Be aware that water level at ford site will typically be higher in the afternoon. After crossing both times I went here I did not bother changing back into hiking boots and walked back to Icefields in sandals; main trail works better for this purpose. |
Gallery |
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Crowfoot Meadows Alpine meadow below Icefields Parkway on descent to Bow Lake. Crowfoot Glacier upper center | |||
Looking north across Bow Lake after fording the outlet (extreme right). Click to Zoom | |||
Bow Lake Outlet Ford Closer look at outlet ford site. This is crux and main reason why trip is not feasible early in summer when water is high | |||
Crowfoot Creek Crossing "De luxe" creek crossing just before trail starts ascent to Crowfoot Pass | |||
Icefields Corridor Looking back to Icefields as trail reaches alpine. Cirque Peak / Dolomite Pass upper center right. Bow Lake and Mt. Jimmy Simpson left | |||
Crowfoot Pass Approach Approaching Crowfoot Pass (distant "V" in center of photo). Good trail switchbacks on left side of obvious snowpatch | |||
Crowfoot Pass Tarn One of two very scenic tarns just below Crowfoot Pass. It is tempting to fritter the day right here! | |||
Crowfoot Pass View back to Crowfoot Tarns from the pass | |||
Bow Peak ascent slope from Crowfoot Pass, foreshortened as usually the case from below. Going up fairly stable boulder field that serves as staircase is better option while steep talus gully on the right speeds up the descent. True summit is out of view, somewhere behind top of red line. Click to Zoom | |||
Bow Peak Ascent Slope Halfway up the boulder slope. ~25-30 degree angle is fairly constant. Bow Lake behind | |||
Bow Peak Summit Ridge Scrambling up the ridge with view north to Icefields. Bow Lake dead center, Crowfoot Mtn upper left. Cirque Peak right | |||
Bow Peak Summit Ridge Final part of the ridge with one moderate step scrambling quartzite blocks below false summit upper center | |||
Bow Peak Summit Ridge Easy ridgewalk between false and true summit with large cairn | |||
Summit Cairn Bow Peak summit cairn with brand new pink register | |||
Summit Register Container Interesting contents of summit register! | |||
Bow Peak Summit Panorama Panoramic view SE from the Summit. Hector Peak far right, Mosquito creek rounding Noseeum Mtn center. Dolomite Peak left | |||
Lake Louise Group Louise group telephoto with Temple Mtn dominating the horizon | |||
Mt. Hector telephoto; Little Hector just left of center, showing easy scramble route. Cataract Peak distant extreme left. Click to Zoom | |||
Panorama east towards Dolomite Pass area with Katherine Lake right of center. Cirque peak upper left, Quill Mtn and Siffleur area peaks center right, with Recondite Mtn. poking distant extreme right. Click to Zoom | |||
Willingdon and Crown rising above Devon Lakes and Clearwater Pass in Siffleur Wilderness. Click to Zoom | |||
Descent Talus Slope Steep talus slope on alternate descent works quite well. Not recommended going up this way | |||
Descent Talus Slope Looking back up descent slope as cairns and bits of trail develop. Considerably steeper from what this photo might suggest |
Overall Difficulty |
Unavoidable Bow Lake outlet ford. Steep Boulder and/or Talus slopes above Crowfoot Pass. Moderate quartzite blocks scrambling on summit ridge. |
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Snow Factor |
Steep slope above Crowfoot Pass with avalanche potential. With firm snow some people ascend Bow Peak on skis |
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Scenery |
Scenic Bow Lake and Crowfoot Pass alpine. Far reaching views from the summit including Hector lake and many distant peaks along the Iciefields corridor |
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Trail/Marking |
Poor / None |
Fairly well defined trail to Crowfoot Pass, but with no marking. Ford site is obvious. |
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Suggested Time |
7 hr |
Add an hour if spending some time exploring very scenic Crowfoot Pass |
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Elevation |
Start: 1970 m Max: 2870m Total: ~1040m |
Round Trip: ~15km | |||
Gear |
Full hiking boots, gaiters and poles. Climbing helmet essential in group (rockfall danger). Pair of sandals or old sneakers for Bow Outlet ford |
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Water |
Creek draining Crowfoot Pass and Alpine Tarns. Carry at least 1L above the pass as slope is dry |
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Dog Friendly |
No |
Bow Outlet ford will prove problematic. Might be possible (depending on dog size!) late in season when water level is low. Please do not consider carrying dog in your arms while fording -- this technique, practiced by some, is dangerous |
Bow Peak GAIA Map
Bow Peak Elevation Profile