I could have entitled this post A Feast for the Eyes. I had a terrific ski to the lake and back on the Lake O’Hara fire road today. It was busy for a work day as I met about 30 other skiers and two dogs.
Erin and John came by as I was re-waxing at the midway mark
This is a ski trip with magnificent views, and I had the perfect bluebird day to marvel at all the fantastic scenery. Good tracks, big blue sky with no clouds, temperature was -7 when I started at 1:30 pm. Snow was -17.
It’s about 11K to the Le Relais day shelter. There’s a good skier-set track which will take you out onto the middle of the lake from there. If you’re going to Lake O’Hara Lodge, it’s about 800 metres further.
Net elevation gain is 420 metres, but over the entire 22K, you’ll accumulate 650 metres with all the ups and downs.
This skier-set track will take you onto the middle of the lake
I started out with VR30(-10/-30) and it performed well for the first 5K but I was slipping in the sun-exposed areas. I added some VR40 at the 5.5K mark. The snow was quite abrasive as well.
It would appear from the grooming that it’s now being done with a snowcat rather than a snowmobile.
From the sounds of the Trip reports, conditions are excellent on most trails right now.
Bob – I confirmed today that indeed Lake O’Hara lodge management have purchased a snow cat for grooming. Great news!