North Crowfoot Mountain (Light Scrambling) (Keep Microspikes Handy)

Trail Name: North Crowfoot Mountain (Click the link for the AllTrails Route.)
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead meet-up time: Thursday, October 9 at 9:00am
Location: Bow Lake Parking Lot A (Click the link for the parking lot location.)

NOTE: **Attendance** - A waitlist has been created. I will admit attendees at my own discretion. Your answer to the hike question will be considered. I am aiming for up to 8 people, including myself.

NOTE: Hike Day - All hike dates are subject to change depending on the weather.

NOTE: Difficulty - This is a Hard hike. The approach around Bow Lake is very gradual. Very steep scree/boulder section to gain the ridge, and a steep grind up scree to the summit on the ridge.

The next cold front is forecasted for coming Saturday night. I want to get out on the weekday and enjoy Bow Lake - an area I have been avoiding due to severe crowding in the summer. The North Peak of Crowfoot Mountain offers amazing views of the entire valley, including the Wapta Icefields to the south.

Trail Details
Distance: Approx. 12 km (Out-and-Back)
Elevation gain: Approx. 850 meters
Time: Approx. 6 hours (including breaks)

Trail Description:
From the parking lot, we start a gradual walk around Bow Lake. Once around the lake, we will begin a gradual ascent initially. Around the 3km mark, we will scramble over the chockstone bridging the canyon. Shortly after crossing the canyon, we will turn off climber's left and begin the steep ascent up a boulder field to gain the upper plateau.

Once on the plateau, it's a steep but steady scree grind over the next 1.5km to the summit. We will enjoy the amazing views along the way, and retrace our steps back to the parking lot.

RECOMMENDED GEAR & SUPPLIES

• microspikes - expecting slippery conditions higher up due to snow
  - hiking poles - useful for steeper sections
  - sunglasses
  - sunscreen
  - hat/cap

• gloves/toque/balaclava - cooler temperatures, especially in the morning

· Clothing - Late Fall - Lighter or Medium wool clothing is recommended along with a light or medium jacket/windbreaker. Jeans are not good.
· personal first aid kit
· snacks/lunch
. water/warm drink (recommend 2 litres of water) - The outflow creek from Bow Glacier Falls is a good source of water - can give refills with my water filter if required.

Ride Sharing:
Suggested Ridge Sharing Spot: Petro-Can at the corner of Highway 1 and Highway 22.

Suggested Ride Sharing Fee: $20

This hike should offer amazing views in a relatively short distance!