early season hikes - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

taco.vidal · 05-05-2011, 08:19 PM

anyone know what trails are clear of snow and relatively dry right now?

would Chinaman's Peak be doable?

any suggestions?

Slava · 05-05-2011, 08:24 PM

I haven't been there this year, but I think that Yamnuska is clear before Chinamans peak. It's a good early season hike.

Cscutch · 05-05-2011, 08:31 PM

Chinaman's Peak can be done most of the year... But would need crampon's or at least some micro spikes at this time of year... Actually most hikes are going to be icy.

Prairie Mountain in Bragg Creek Should be clear.

So should most of the fire lookout hikes, maybe the front side of Heart Mountain.

Bigtime · 05-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Look at you bunch of racists still calling it Chinaman's peak...

Cscutch · 05-05-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Look at you bunch of racists still calling it Chinaman's peak...

Ok Ha Ling to be correct.

Slava · 05-05-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Look at you bunch of racists still calling it Chinaman's peak...

Ya, it was weird to type actually....but I still call it that

DownhillGoat · 05-11-2011, 02:31 PM

Is Jonstons (sp?) Canyon open this early? Looking for something easy to do with the pup this week.

Mazrim · 05-11-2011, 03:16 PM

Johnston Canyon should be just fine by now.

Cowperson · 05-11-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mazrim

Johnston Canyon should be just fine by now.

I would think Johnston Canyon would still be covered quite thickly with trampled down snow. Good walk but not clear of snow.

The snow pack this year is one-third deeper than normal and is probably only now starting to disappear. Shadowed spots particularly.

I was at Brown Lowery park a little southwest of Calgary on Saturday - very forested - and it was a winter wonderland of deep snow and snow covered paths.

West of Turner Valley, you can walk the highway for a few more days. Then it opens for travel on May 15, the first of the winter closures to open. That will take you back to some nice walking . . . . but again, still probably snowy.

Below, Brown Lowery, and Pete, on Saturday, only about 25 minutes from the city . . .

Cowperson

DownhillGoat · 05-11-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I would think Johnston Canyon would still be covered quite thickly with trampled down snow. Good walk but not clear of snow.

The snow pack this year is one-third deeper than normal and is probably only now starting to disappear. Shadowed spots particularly.

That's actually better. He loves snow and was rather dissapointed when it melted from his usual walking route.

I was more worried about closures. Tried Lilian Lake last year and found out they closed it over the winter. Didn't feel like running into that with a pup in tow.

GGG · 05-11-2011, 07:56 PM

I would bring cleats to Johnson canyon. It gets real icy in the spring thaw. Banff has there trail conditons report on the website now. I went out there last weekend to Lake Minniwanka lots of snow still and slushy but not icy. If you wore waterproof boots you could hike the first half of the lake. The full loop is closed for the wolves but you can go about 8km to the campground.

DownhillGoat · 05-11-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGG

I would bring cleats to Johnson canyon. It gets real icy in the spring thaw.

Are you talking the lower/upper falls (ie the walkway)? Or the path to the inkpots? Or both?

Maybe we'll just head to minnewanka.

RatherDashing · 05-11-2011, 09:35 PM

Prairie Mountain is hikeable. I hiked up last Saturday, the first half of the trail was dry, the upper half was snow covered but it was shallow and well packed down. I hiked with boots on, but the snow was never even ankle deep. Also there were a ton of people out on the trail last weekend, so it should be even more broken in this weekend.

Has anybody heard how Moose Mountain is? I'm hoping to climb it this Saturday.

taco.vidal · 05-21-2011, 05:46 PM

Same question as before.... Whats hikeable now? Wevej had a lot of late season snow and some ski hills are still open. Looking for something preferably hikeable without icers?

Cowperson · 05-21-2011, 06:07 PM

Windy Ridge west of Turner Valley last weekend was fine . . . . . and you could probably do Indian Oils further back.

Ruby and Pete on top of Windy Ridge last weekend . . .

Walked the west shore of Chain Lake today, from the north end . . . . very mucky . . . . and then the rain came.

Cowperson

hungryhun · 05-22-2011, 12:37 AM

We did Prairie Mtn today and it is 99% snow free. There were some patches up at the top, but nothing you couldn't walk around. Not too muddy either.