Louise Apr 25/15

Lake Louise from top Paradise

A few of us went off to Lake Louise again - despite the weather forecast, which was supposed to be "wet flurries" and a high of +5C (in the valley bottom). After skiing Tuesday (Apr 21) in bluebird skies and ~+15C, pretty bulletproof conditions were not unexpected. As a result, we skied mainly groomed runs. But knowing that Ptarmigan faces into the morning sun (such as it was), we were happy to find the black run had been groomed skiers-left. After a few rips of that, we checked out Old Ptarmigan, and also found it to be groomed, with no skiers on it. That turned out to be the run of the day! If you were by yourself, the slow quad would have driven you crazy, but when you can chat on the way up, it dulls that pain.

Mid afternoon, we ventured over to the front side again, and by then it was softening on the right aspects. Upshoots and Grizzly Bowl off the Top of the World chair was quite chewable, assuming you could get around the odd patch of juniper/rock/grass bits facing into the sun. Last run on Outer Limits on the Summit Platter was quite acceptable as well.

Don't hurry up there! When it's not that warm, conditions are best in the afternoon. Besides, the RCMP are really patrolling the TransCanada highway in the park now, which they should be doing.

Legacy-Minnewanka road ride

The Legacy Trail is brilliant! It was built between the Banff Townsite, and the east park gates as a celebration of Banff National Park's 125th anniversary. It was subsequently connected to the town of Canmore, and makes for a great road ride from Grandview Chalet B&B to Banff, and beyond. The electronic sign above is situated near the Alberta Tourist Information Centre in Canmore, and it counts the number of users going by. On this April Monday, there were 84 users by noon when we went by, and over 220 by the time we came back mid-afternoon. The Legacy Trail has been a big hit, and it's obvious that the trail should be extended to Lake Louise along the Bow Valley Parkway highway.

On this day, we took the turn off near the Banff townsite that takes a nice safe route under the highway into the Cascade Ponds picnic area. From there, we made our way around the Minnewanka circuit. A portion of the circuit (~5 km) was still closed to vehicular traffic (as part of a winter wildlife corridor), but is easily used by bikes and walkers. Although the Minnewanka road is speed restricted (50 kph), it's great not to see any cars at all.

By the way - a couple of the famous Parks Canada red chairs are located in the rest stop along the Legacy Trail, with a  view of the Rundle Range. The chairs have been somewhat controversial for some critics, but having sat in a couple in Gros Morne National Park with a great view on a nice hike, we think they have merit.

The Legacy Trail is supposed to be continued up into the Nordic Centre in Canmore - just not sure when. That will take it very close to Grandview.

April MTB conditions Canmore

Assessing the damage - photo by Paul G

Back in Canmore, recent snows had come and gone - we went for a mtn bike ride on Reclaimer, and into the Nordic Centre. Reclaimer requires a ride up the Spray Lakes Road, but at the moment that road is fairly quiet and not too dusty. Reclaimer is a downhill descent, and tons of fun! It was totally dry - but it is a fairly steep trip. After that we went into the Nordic Centre to do Soft Yogurt, which is a short but very fun rip - ending on Devonian Drop, which is a very short steep pitch. All good so far. On EKG, which is a favorite, there were sections of muddier track - especially near where the ski tracks were melting away. That said - not bad! We took Coal Chutes (black) down, and it was fine. But Georgetown is still very muddy.

Above picture is moments after a crash that John took. Clipped a pedal on a log that immediately flipped him over for a chin landing. Aside from some scrapes and bruises, he got lucky landing in mostly soft dirt mixed with roots. A reminder that mtn biking has it's moments! Generally not as soft to crash in as a meter of snow.