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Rockies :: Icefields :: Crowfoot Tarn

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North end of "Crowfoot Tarn" looking towards glacial moraine below Crowfoot glacier

July 26, 2017

"Crowfoot Tarn" is unofficial name for glacial body of water west of Crowfoot Glacier.  It is also known as "Mary Lake" or "Hotdog Lake" (due to its shape).  Hidden from view, It stays mostly off-radar due to better known objectives. It can be seen from summit of mount Jimmy Simpson and presents fantastic day-hike objective.  Scenery is nothing short of spectacular.  Approach utilizes well-travelled ACC Bow Hut trail in grand Rockies environment.  Couple of cairns on open slopes below the lake testify area sees the traffic.  Loop return via glacial basin on north side draining Crowfoot Glaier is highly recommended.

Trailhead is at Num-Ti-Jah lodge on Bow Lake, some 30 mins north from Lake Louise on Icefields Parkway.  Follow tourist infested trail around the lake and continue towards Bow Falls.  Some 40-45 mins from the parking trail ascends the canyon and reaches signed junction.  Turn left and cross the canyon on wedged boulder -- technical crux of the day.  This chockstone is wide and stable, but slip and fall would plunge you to your death so take care specially if there is bit of snow laying on rock.  Initial step to gain the chockstone might feel a bit awkward for someone with short legs (low class 3).  Past this obstacle follow well defined trail around the bend;   Iceberg Lake access branches from here.  In winter Bow Hut trail follows the canyon; summer trail stays above on east side and crosses couple of rock slides along the way.  Some 30-40 minutes past the chockstone watch for open talus slopes on your left; this will be immediately after the trail crosses the creek (good water) and emerges out of forest -- see the photo in gallery.  Leave the trail and head left and up.  Couple of cairns provide assurance.  Scree is stable and way is obvious.  In winter under right conditions this slope has some avalanche potential. Midway up little meadow complete with man-made rock chairs are an excellent spot for the breather.  Continue up and scramble bit of crumbling rock band then follow more cairns up the grass to north end of "Crowfoot Tarn".

The lake is extremely beautiful.  Photographers will utilize mid to late afternoon sun for best lighting. Loop around the lake including little rock ridge on east side is suggested.  Return the same way, or better from south end of the lake drop into glacial basin then after couple of easy rock-hops across the streams cross the boulder field aiming for grassy patch. Do NOT follow the drainage as it ends in deep canyon.  From the grassy / treed patch then simply descend on good talus and intercept Bow Hut trail.  Turn right and after re-crossing the drainage follow back to the parking.

Many possibilities for further exploration exist, including mountaineering ascent of Crowfoot Mountain and exploratory hike up the glacial basin below Balfour Hut / Vulture Glacier.

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