The Hiking / Backpacking Thread

[GGG]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

what's a good overnight hike to take my kids on? not too far away but far enough and enough of a hike that they feel like they're in the wilderness

daughter 8 son 4

thanks,

Two from Peter Loughheed that are good.
Easy

Elbow Lake 1. 5 k in to the campground to a nice lake. A little short but you can bring fishing gear and a dingy and it makes a good trip.

Medium.
Day 1 hike 7k to forks campground set up camp
Day 2 hike 7k round trip (no gear) to three isle lake. The hardwall of 3 isle lakes is a cliff. One section has giant steps cut in. You need to make a judgment call if you want to go up with a four year old. I believe hand holding the four year old through this section is safe and an 8 year old would be find but google some pictures to see of you are comfortable with it. If not there is a nice waterfall that makes a good destination to turn around at.
Day 3 hike out

Almost backpacking
Bus in to lake ohara
Camp in the back country campground
take 2 or three of the best effort to reward ratio Day hikes ever.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Bump for a question!

Does anyone have recommendations for a moderate - difficult ~3 hour (up) hike around Canmore or Banff area that will be open/decent in the middle of May?

I've been scrolling around on the site recommended here - trailpeak.com, but would love any direct suggestions!

V already said it, but I'd recommend Old Baldy Ridge, classic shoulder season hike, around 3-4 hours up.

[burnin_vernon]

I was thinking of doing Berg Lake in August but the spots are running out. The only available plan looks to be camping at Whitehorn on Monday and Robson Pass the next night. How would this itinerary pan out? Does that mean all of our serious climbing would be on the second day? How long does it take to get to Whitehorn (and then to Robson Pass from there) and is spending time there worth it?

Just by looking at the map, it looks like The Berg Lake site is ideal as it seems like a central area to either explore or day hike from. Am I better off waiting for next year, and doing it right?

[timmy89]

Are ticks a common problem in any areas near Calgary? New to the area and have hiked in places where they were a non-issue, and other areas where you needed to strip and do a full body search after a hike as there would almost certainly be some on you. Or if there are any other pests to be aware of feel free to mention them! I must say it is wonderful how few mosquitos there are here compared to Ontario though

[GGG]

Originally Posted by timmy89

Are ticks a common problem in any areas near Calgary? New to the area and have hiked in places where they were a non-issue, and other areas where you needed to strip and do a full body search after a hike as there would almost certainly be some on you. Or if there are any other pests to be aware of feel free to mention them! I must say it is wonderful how few mosquitos there are here compared to Ontario though

There are ticks in may and june, not crazy though I see one or two a year. Generally they arent disease carrying. I dont believe that any carry lime disease but there has been very rare cases of rocky mountain fever.

[Flames0910]

Anybody have a recommendation for a three-four day backpacks that would be in shape this weekend? Seems like almost everything is still snowbound / avalanche danger.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

Anybody have a recommendation for a three-four day backpacks that would be in shape this weekend? Seems like almost everything is still snowbound / avalanche danger.

Skoki is usually good early season. Deception pass will likely be snow covered but there is no avalanche terrain and it is a cross country ski trail in the winter so there are trail markers through the snow covered sections.

Day one Hike to Merlin meadows, 16k,
Day two hike packless merlin lake or climb skokie mtn or both then hike to baker campground (dont go to read deer lakes right now as it would be a swampy mess)
Day 3 hike out, going up to redoubt lake, and taking the side trail to hidden lake.

You could split day 2 into two days doing Merlin and skoki on day 2 and hiking to baker on day 3 or you could spend an extra day at baker and scramble up fossil mtn.

Edit I see parks canada has skoki listed as snow covered. I would call the lake louise office to see if you can find out if anyone has actually hiked it or call skoki lodge to see what the real conditions are like. Skoki lodge opens Friday so the trail must be somewhat passable.

[Flames0910]

Edit I see parks canada has skoki listed as snow covered. I would call the lake louise office to see if you can find out if anyone has actually hiked it or call skoki lodge to see what the real conditions are like. Skoki lodge opens Friday so the trail must be somewhat passable.

I will call and see about that tomorrow morning. Would make my day to hear some good news!

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

I will call and see about that tomorrow morning. Would make my day to hear some good news!

In 2011, i think it was a high snow year and we went the week after Canada Day, we had to Cancel healy pass because it was still snowed in, and skoki only had about 100-200m of unmelted snow that we had to hike through.

That said we did have a blizzard the first night/morning we got there so you couldnt see across merlin lake. The next day was real nice though. So be prepared for zero degree weather and you will be fine.

[GGG]

I love these few weeks for evening hiking. You can go out highway 66 into the elbow valley and hike after work.

I did Nahani ridge yesterday. Left the city at 6, was hiking by 7, at the top about 8:45 and down by 10:00 while it was still light out. Other great hikes down that highway are Moose Mountain and Prarie Mountain. Probably hit those up next week.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by GGG

I love these few weeks for evening hiking. You can go out highway 66 into the elbow valley and hike after work.

I did Nahani ridge yesterday. Left the city at 6, was hiking by 7, at the top about 8:45 and down by 10:00 while it was still light out. Other great hikes down that highway are Moose Mountain and Prarie Mountain. Probably hit those up next week.

Let us know the conditions on Moose and Prairie. The parking lot at Moose was covered in a few feet of snow, and the trail impassable without snowshoes when we tried around Victoria day.

[RatherDashing]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Let us know the conditions on Moose and Prairie. The parking lot at Moose was covered in a few feet of snow, and the trail impassable without snowshoes when we tried around Victoria day.

I went up Prairie a couple of weeks ago and it was snow free all the way up. I imagine Moose would be pretty good too.

[terminator]

Hey guys,

Wife and I really want to go hiking tomorrow but are'nt the best at knowing where to go. I did barrier lake again on Saturday and it was a lot of fun. Any reccomendations for a 6-8hr hike preferably ending or having a view point/waterfall or lake? Would prefer it to be as close to calgary as possible.

Thank you

[DownhillGoat]

Lillian Lake is nice. Although it's only about 4-6 hours (14km return) but the lake of the end is great. The campground there is closed due to flood damage so I don't know what the rest of the hike is like.

Picklejar Lakes is kind of a nice hike too, but short (8km return).

As far as knowing where to go, your best bet is to grab a guide book. A few I like

http://www.amazon.ca/Dont-Waste-Your.../dp/0968941974

http://www.amazon.ca/Scrambles-Canad.../dp/0921102674

http://www.amazon.ca/More-Scrambles-...T7BZ255BZKAP7S

Also trailpeak.com is good. You can select activity (hike/bike/ski etc) and the area you want to go to get ratings, reviews, routes, etc.

Hope that helps!

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Let us know the conditions on Moose and Prairie. The parking lot at Moose was covered in a few feet of snow, and the trail impassable without snowshoes when we tried around Victoria day.

There was no snow on nahani, didnt get out to the other to but Moose looked like it was basically clear though I would bet there are snow patches in a few places.

Did Stanley Glacier in Kootney and would call it passable. Muddy with a few snowy sections but passable. One more week and everything should be doable.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by terminator

Hey guys,

Wife and I really want to go hiking tomorrow but are'nt the best at knowing where to go. I did barrier lake again on Saturday and it was a lot of fun. Any reccomendations for a 6-8hr hike preferably ending or having a view point/waterfall or lake? Would prefer it to be as close to calgary as possible.

Thank you

My wife and I did this one yesterday:

http://www.albertawow.com/hikes/Bour...rgeau_Lake.htm

It is about 7 hours and about 75 minutes away from Calgary.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by terminator

Wife and I really want to go hiking tomorrow but aren't the best at knowing where to go.

Did you end up going for a hike?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

My wife and I did this one yesterday:

http://www.albertawow.com/hikes/Bour...rgeau_Lake.htm

It is about 7 hours and about 75 minutes away from Calgary.

Did you go to the Lake or all the way up to the summit? Is the trail snow free?

[terminator]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Did you end up going for a hike?

Hey Kunkstyle,

Yup, we ended up going to Moose Mountain, took us 4 and half hours round trip with a good rest at the top by the fire station. The conditions are what I would describe as perfect barring the odd puddle.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by GGG

Did you go to the Lake or all the way up to the summit? Is the trail snow free?

All the way up. There is some snow. Nothing you can't handle.