Starting out today took a lot of motivation and courage. It was -20°C at Boulton Creek parking lot with a stiff breeze. Five minutes up the trail, at the Whiskey Jack/Moraine junction, I was debating whether to turn back.
Whiskey Jack has no tracksetting until you’re past the steep section which starts here.
I persevered. Ended up doing Whiskey Jack – Kananaskis Fire Lookout – Hydroline – Elk Pass – Fox Creek – Moraine. Thankfully the wind was on my back when coming down Hydroline.
Spectacular views from Kananaskis Fire Lookout
Whiskey Jack has had 3-4 cm of new snow since it was groomed nine days ago and it has covered all the exposed dirt and rocks. Seemed better today than it did right after grooming. The tracks don’t start until you’re about two-thirds of the way up.
The view south from the Lookout
If you’re descending Whiskey Jack, there’s a small ice flow at the bottom of the steep part, right when you’ll be at top speed. There’s a narrow lane on the extreme right hand side of the trail, about two feet wide, which is still covered with snow.
The wind disappeared after 10 minutes of climbing, but reappeared at the top. Pocaterra was in excellent shape in both directions.
100 metres to go
With good grip on the cold snow, I had an enjoyable time climbing the 1.7K and 210 metres of elevation to the Kananaskis Fire Lookout. No wind while in the trees, so at least it was warm with all the exertion. Just before I reached the top, with about 150 metres to go, I stopped while still in the trees and prepared myself for the cold and wind at the top: Extra toque, warm coat, and buff.
Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes as viewed from Kananaskis Fire Lookout
The thermometer on the building registered -28. With the sun shining, it was a spectacular day for photos. Quickly, I took a few pictures and headed down the south side.
After a few minutes of descent I had to stop and put toe warmers in my boots and get my mitts out. I was now wearing every piece of warm clothing I had.
Heading down the south side
The south trail has a lot of twigs sticking up through the corduroy but are inconsequential. You can snowplow right over them. I didn’t take many photos while descending(just a couple at the start) because I can’t with my mitts on.
The creek at the bottom was easily crossed. There’s no open water, just a very small ice flow which was no problem.
Hydroline
Hydroline was in excellent shape. The corduroy was a lot faster than the tracks. Fox Creek and Moraine were pretty well the same as three days ago. Thin snow cover and bumpy but very skiable.
I only encountered four other skiers today. It looked like two other skiers had climbed to the Lookout judging from the tracks, one from each side.
There were eight vehicles in the Pocaterra parking lot and people were skiing out from there. A group of skiers were having a lesson.
This deep freeze finally ends tomorrow with some normal temperatures in sight for next week along with some much-needed snow on Monday.
Really enjoy your write ups. You’re right. It was cold but still fantastic. We skied out of the Pocaterra Hut & parking lot. Started on the Lodgepole trail. Very windy and cold. Plus some snowshoers messed up the trail most of the way. Crossed the road into Elkwood parking. Continued on Amos, Lynx and back on Pocaterra. Once we crossed the road the wind wasn’t as bad. But glad had warm stuff on. Despite the cold and some super packed conditions it was still a great day.
You are a brave man Bob. I couldn’t find the motivation upon exiting my car at the cascade/minnewanka parking lot into a stiff breeze. So instead I put my winter boots on and went for a walk along the lake and up Stewart canyon. It was too cold along the lakeshore with the wind. On return I stopped at the picnic shelter and got a fire going and got progressively colder even with the fire. Only a few cars in the lot even in the afternoon.