There are several locations along the Castle Lookout to Baker Creek trail where Banff National Park could install their famous red chairs. Yesterday, Helen Read suggested this would be a prime spot for them.
A very scenic trail with 5 cm of fresh snow
I took Tessa for a leisurely ski trip on this scenic trail today. It snowed a significant amount last night between Castle junction and Lake Louise. The trail had about 5 cm of fresh, clean, cold snow which had been skied in a lot already by 2:20 pm when we arrived.
Castle mountain takes on a different appearance from this perspective
The air temperature was -8°C, and the snow was -9. As I’ve mentioned in previous reports, the section near Castle Lookout which meanders through the trees usually has a lot of pine needles, but the fresh snow has taken care of most of them. There were still a few wayward needles in the tracks, but of no consequence.
This parking lot is the envy of everyone who fights for parking at West Bragg Creek
A tip of the hat goes out to the two friendly snowshoers with a dog named Mandy. When near the ski trail, they walked in the fresh snow beside the trail. Mostly, though, they walked in areas far away from the ski tracks. That’s what I thought snowshoes were for after all.
It was starting to snow at the end of the day.
In preparation for the Lake Louise to Banff Loppet, there are a lot of packed trails along the Bow Valley Parkway. I stopped and took a picture of the trail which runs from Sawback to Muleshoe and I’ll include it in the photos later.
It was -6 upon leaving Canmore, but while driving between Canmore and Banff, the temperature temporarily climbed to 0°C, but had already dropped back to -3 on the western edge of Banff townsite. It was -8 at Castle Lookout.
Attention backcountry skiers: Sunday Jan 17 is Alberta Parks’ Avalanche Awareness Day.
Is that Mini Cooper yours?
I think that a green K-Country bench would look fine there.
My skis are longer than a Mini Cooper! The car belonged to the two snowshoers who I met later on.
I figured that would be an odd car for a skier 🙂
I may be in the minority, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY would dislike finding those “red chairs” at this and any other scenic viewpoint. They are cutsie, commercialized clutter (again, my opinion), and why do we need that to remind us to stop, look around, breathe and appreciate nature in it’s finest????
Relax, there is not a snowball’s chance in hell of BNP putting red chairs in this location. I was simply using it as a way to emphasize the remarkable scenery.
🙂 well…..you certainly got my attention with that “header” ! Yes, it is an amazing viewpoint…all on it’s own merits. Certainly 20 of “those chairs” are enough already for any national park.
What do you have there for T? Looks like a leash with bungy? How does it work?
It’s much better than a “non-stretch” leash when skiing. Just attach it to your backpack belt and it works very well. It’s best if your dog is in a harness rather than a collar.
Were do I get one of those?!
Tks Bob,