甜蜜足迹: Aylmer Lookout

TRIP 268

Sunday, 12/03/2017, Aylmer Lookout – Hwy40 E, Highwood Area, Kananaskis, AB

· Round Trip: 24km; Elevation: 2071m; Elevation Gain: Net – 583m, Accumulated – 1292m; Time: RT – 7:00hrs (9:15-16:15), ascent – 3:35hrs, descent – 2:45hrs; A very long hike on signed trail

· Book: ‘Canadian Rockies Trail Guide’ by Brian Patton, Bart Robinson

References:

http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Aylmer-Lookout-Pass-near-Banff-AB-1856

http://www.albertawow.com/hikes/Aylmer_Lookout/Aylmer_Lookout.htm

http://banff.ca/index.aspx?NID=645

http://autumnsky.zenfolio.com/rockies/banff-louise/aylmer

Drive

From Calgary, drive west on Hwy 1 for about 107km, take the exit toward Lake Minnewanka. Turn right onto Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr and follow signs to Lake Minnewanka parking lot. Driving time would be around 1:30 hours.

Hike

Giving less than 8 hours daylight and more than 20 kilometres distance, we had to summon up our courage for this outing, although it is an easy hike on maintained trail.

From the parking lot, we walked slowly and carefully on the icy trail along the lake. At first, I didn’t bother to put on the microspike like Gua did since the trail is pretty flat, but were fain to don it after falling behind and seeing Gua striding the mirror like icy path carelessly until we crossed the bridge and left the big bend behind because the trail above the lake became bear dry. At this time, the trail is on the north side of the lake and opens up to views of Lake Minnewanka and mountains around it. When we reached the signed Aylmer Pass Junction, we turned left leaving the lake and started hiking uphill into the forest. Higher up, we encountered ice and hard snow, and had no choice but to put on the spike again. At the well signed junction, we headed right and then hiked the last 1.6km to Aylmer Lookout.

The views were fantastic with the long lake Minnewanka under foot and the snowy mountains embracing. The weather was holding up for us too. Once we rested enough to go on with the long hike back, we returned the same way we came.

My track