Back to Minnewanka

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March 29 , 2015, and we headed to (the still frozen) Lake Minnewanka  in Banff National Park, to mountain bike the 30 km (return) singletrack that follows along the north shore of the huge lake. Since the slope faces south, drains well, and stays relatively low, it's a great early (or late) season ride. Winds were pretty stiff from the west, which gave us a great tail wind on the leg out. The way back, you're really having too much fun to notice the headwind.

This outstanding route is closed July 10 through September 15 to bikes - essentially because of berries along the trail that bring in the bears. And since a few of us have had encounters with bruins before, we make noise along the way, and try to stick together.

The Great Flood of June 2013 chewed out some of the creek bed crossings, but they were dry and easy to get through. We sawed a few of the trees that fell across the trail during the winter - but one or two big guys remain. As we had a few riders that hadn't been on bikes much this season, we turned around at the warden's cabin (15 km). But the trail does continue to Devil's Gap (27 km) if you are really fit. But, it could have a lot of deadfall, and tends to be a lot rougher. Overall, Minnewanka is a great destination! 

Is it really spring?

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Normally, the Rockies in Alberta tend to be in peak winter condition in March. But it this winter is not normal! So, you just take advantage of whatever it throws you. Yesterday we were mountain biking on the dry side of the Bow Valley in Canmore (Horseshoe and G8). There was a wee bit of mud, and a whole lot of fun. As I write, it is +20C on my deck! Just finished a road ride along the (recently swept) Legacy Trail, and then over to Lake Minnewanka (pictured above). Obviously the lake is still iced over, but I don't think for long. Certainly a beautiful day! I did see a couple of new big horn sheep lambs near the lake. They didn't hang around long enough for me to snap a picture. I think mom was calling.

Thinking about a back country ski tour this weekend....

Back To Louise

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As the worst snow year in memory for Western Canada continues, we decided to hit Lake Louise on a Monday morning after a long awaited snowfall of some 5-10 cms. The rather thin base was rock hard on the front side, but surprisingly OK on the backside - particularly ER7 and Whitehorn 2 chutes (that are open). The above video clip was taken on the chutes when the sun broke through in the afternoon.

Ended up being a great day! The snow softened late in the afternoon, and was downright spring-like on the lower front side when we called it a day (at ten minutes to four...). Hopefully more snow is coming!

Update: March 20/15:

Back at Louise - perhaps a few mm's of new snow, and not soft! Flurries all day, so it really did not soften. Visability generally diminished throughout the day. Not stellar!