Trip Report Details

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Trip Date: 18-Jul-2010
Activity: Off-Trail Hike
Destination: Burstall Passes, south to north

Report:

The weather was forecast at 60% showers with chance of thunderstorms and it delivered, but only for about 20 minutes when we were getting back near to the cars. Otherwise we had to put up with mostly sunshine and the risk of sunburn. The trail was lined with flowers along the road and on the gravel flats where we navigated over a number of braided streams:

Creek crossing on Burstall Pass trail

No stream crossing footwear was required. A couple of backpackers returning from Lake Leman advised they had seen a grizzly twice near the trail above the lower meadow but we had no sightings. We left the trail and headed off towards South Burstall Pass, sometimes traversing remnant snow patches. At the pass there were great views north towards Birdwood :

Carolyn strides in front of Snow Peak, Mt. Smuts & Birdwood

We decided to delay lunch until the ridge top so we could eye any incoming weather, so we headed up the south end of the ridge:

Mount Sir Douglas from South Burstall Pass

At the ridge top we looked west and saw… no threatening clouds:

Lake Leman from Burstall ridge

We could see Mt. Assiniboine in the distance from the high point:

Carl on summit of ridge between the Burstall Passes

As there was little wind and warm sunshine we relaxed for lunch and enjoyed the stellar views in all directions.

Carl, Jeanette, Barbara, Ron, Carolyn and David on the ridge between the Burstall passes

We reluctantly departed some time later and continued along the ridge:

Remnant cornice on ridge between Burstall Passes

On the descent to Burstall Pass we had to traverse some snow patches; some participants undertook bum slides on the soft snow.

Carolyn cooling off

Then it was back to the trail and the return under skies that were clouding up. By the time we had traversed the gravel flats there was thunder crackling in the sky and on the old road there was precipitation that caused us to don our rain gear. However by the time we were in sight of the cars the sun returned and dried out any wet gear. The day was finished with a coffee stop at Beamer’s in Canmore.

Thanks to Carolyn, David, Barbara, Jeanette and Carl for joining me, Ron (C/S/P) for a great day in the mountains.

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