Saturday,
1/26/2019, Wolverine Ridge – Fish Creek TH, Whitehorn Dr, LL Ski Area, Skoki
Area, Banff NP, AB
· Round Trip 14.8km;
Elevation: 2447m; Elevation Gain: 710m; Time: RT – 6:00hrs (10:05-16:05), ascent
– 3:05hrs, descent – 2:05hrs; Easy to moderate snowshoeing or hiking with
minimal avalanche risk
· Books:
References:
Drive
From Calgary, drive west on Hwy 1 for about 167km
and take the exit for Lake Louise, turn right and drive about 1.6km towards the
Lake Louise ski area. Turn right (Skoki Lodge sign here) and follow the gravel
road for 1km to the Fish Creek / Skoki Lodge parking lot on the right side of
the road or just park on the left side of the road before the gate.
Hike
This was the first time we hiked up the Temple
Lodge access road in winter when the Lake Louise Ski Resort is operating daily.
I was worried that there would be a lot of skiers fleeting around us at the
time we hike down, but later I realized that the access road isn’t for the
skiers, but the trail parallels to the access road is. However, at the end of the
access road, we still needed to cross two ski runs while avoiding those skiers skiing
down from right hand side before connecting to the trail for Hidden Lake and
Skoki Lodge.
Once passed the
ski runs, we immediately put on our snowshoes and briefly followed the winter
trail to Skoki Lodge before turning right onto a ski track cutting the summer
trail and heading eastward up to Wolverine Valley. We then continued along the
well-packed ski track through thin trees to the east end of the valley. From
there, we took a gentle slope to the left first, then turned right and crossed
a snow slope and up to the col between Purple Mount and Wolverine Ridge. From
the col, it was an easy walk to the highest point of Wolverine Ridge.
Since the wind was
a bit too strong, we didn’t stop long at the summit, but kept wandering along
the ridge for about 400 metres. Not surprisingly, we got better view of Mt
Temple and the surrounding there, but the view was still compromised by the
thick and low clouds all around. After taking in enough cloudy scenery, we
retraced our steps back to the car.
Mt Temple from the parking
Start hiking up the Temple Lodge access road
Once passed the ski runs, we immediately put on our snowshoes and briefly followed the winter trail to Skoki Lodge before turning right onto a ski track cutting the summer trail and heading eastward up to Wolverine Valley.
Continuing along the well-packed ski track through thin trees to the east end of the valley
From the east end of the valley, we would take the gentle slope ahead on the left side of the picture below
Turn right here
Looking down Wolverine Valley just crossed
Looking up across the valley to Redoubt Mtn
Unity Peak behind us
Crossing the slope below the col between Purple Mount and Wolverine Ridge
Looking down near the col with Unity Peak in the b/g
Heading to the col
Purple Mount at right from the col
Looking down the ski run
Continuing northwest along the ridge from the col
The wind was getting stronger when we walked along the ridge
A view near the highest point
Looking northeast towards Redoubt Mtn from the summit of Wolverine Ridge
Wandering further along the ridge
Looking back along the wide ridge with Unity Peak in the b/g
Looking northwest to Lake Louise Ski Area from where we halted
A pano from SW/L to NW/R
Looking north towards Skoki area with Pika Peak in the b/g to the right of centre
View south-southwest to Lipalian Mtn(L) and Mt Temple(CR)
Admiring Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau, and the mountains encompassing them
Redoubt Mtn stole the show
Redoubt Mtn connects to Unity Peak(R)
Purple Mount(L) and Lipalian Mtn(R) block the view to the south-southeast
(f-b) Saddle Mtn(CL), Sheol Mtn(L), Fairview Mtn (R,snow-capped), Haddo Peak(C), and Mt Aberdeen
Whitehorn Mtn to the NW
Mt Hector, like most of the peaks, haunted by the clouds all the time
Except Pika Peak, Ptarmigan Peak finally poked her head out from the clouds
Going down
Pausing for wonderful scenery
Snowshoeing down from the col
Backtracking
This valley is a scenic wonderland in winter
Wolverine Ridge from the valley
Back to the woods
Back on Skoki Trail
Hiking down the rather boring Temple Lodge access road back to the car
The end.
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