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Winter Trip Reports

Tigger | Published on 2/14/2021


Upper Kananaskis Lake

Dec 2020

Our 5.7 km UKL route started from the boat launch [no one was launching a boat, of course], crossed the dam to climb the Everest Exploration Trail for a view over both Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. From the viewpoint we descended to Lakeside Trail to connect with Highline Trail and loop back to our vehicles. 288 (cumulative) metres of elevation gain on a sunny, windy day.


Cross Country Skiing Kovach Trail via Ribbon Creek

Saturday, January 16


It was a relatively warm and sunny day for skiing. When we reached the high point of the trail, we were met with the unique view of the Olympic Summit's grassy south face. On our decent, we completed eight hairpin turns, which made for an interesting ski and everyone survived. Everyone enjoyed the trail and for some, this was a new trail experience

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Watridge Lake

Jan 20th

A beautiful day for the seven of us. Almost perfect ski conditions led us on an easy ski to the Lake. After a brief lunch, we returned on a fun, easy and quick return.
And we managed to lose the President on the way there.  Found him in the parking lot on the way back!! Always remember to check directions before you go.

Pocaterra

We had a great trip to Pocaterra in Kananaskis Country. The day started at about -23 degrees! It didn’t take long to warm up, though, as the trail winds gradually uphill.

Trail conditions were outstanding, with the common effect that cold temperatures make for excellent stride and glide, especially with waxable-base skis.

After about 7 kilometres, we reached the Packer’s trail junction, where we enjoyed lunch in bright and (now much warmer) sunshine. Then an outstanding downhill return, with the temperature having warmed up to -10 degrees.

All in all, an excellent day!

Snowshoeing Kananaskis Village

Saturday, January 23

Three brave COMBAT veterans took on the relatively gentle trails above Kananaskis Village on Saturday, January 23. It was a perfect day of blue skies and pristine wilderness beneath the towering mass of Mount Kidd. Many obstacles were overcome on the way to our objective. Novice X-C skiers had to be avoided where the snowshoe trail crossed designated ski trails. Walkers with dogs on leashes would pass us by, going much faster in the other direction than we managed with snowshoes on the well-packed snow of the trail - and they didn’t even have spikes on. What next? Near the end of our trek we passed a group of kindergarten skiers being shepherded along by enthusiastic minders. With no thought to our own safety we were able to give resounding praise and encouragement to all of the future CSC skiers. It was a great day covering 8 km in 4 hours (including stops for lunch and shooting the breeze). Not bad for three “relatively senior" geezers.



Cross Country Skiing
the Great Divide Trail
Saturday, January 30

A great, long (15 kilometer return) trail. It was easy for everybody, with a fun downhill to the historic Great Divide. This is one of the few cross-country trails that is “uphill, downhill, and flat, in both directions”.

Everyone had a great time.  Join us on an event soon.
Snowshoeing the Paskapoo Eastland Slopes
Thursday, January 28
Six intrepid club members headed out in -16C to brave the East Paskapoo Slopes on Jan 28th. it was a glorious, sunny day and we had the place to ourselves. Snowshoeing through the snowy trails and across wooden bike bridges, we happened upon several streams, makeshift wooden teepees, and one monastery back yard complete with prayer flags. Our 5 km trek was well enjoyed by all and several returned for a repeat event a few days later.


Cross Country Skiing the Pipestone Trails / Lake Louise
Sunday, January 31
Even though the driving to the Pipestone Trailhead was a bit iffy due too poor weather conditions, it was a wonderful day for skiing. The best skiing ever at Pipestone. Snow conditions were fantastic and a great time was had by all.

After being closed or or having limited access the past few years it was good to experience it again.
 Some more pictures from some of our trips. See if you can guess where they are from.