This was a new summer trip for all participants, including the coordinator. A few of us had done subpeaks 1,2 and 3 as a winter snowshoe trip. Nine Ramblers left the Helen Lake parking lot at 9:30 am with the goal of traversing Crstal Ridge. At a point about 500 - 600 metres from the trailhead the group turned off the trail and and headed upwards through semi open slopes and spaced trees. Higher up we intersected a good game trail which headed to the left and slightly upwards.

Crowfoot Glacier

This led to open slopes which took us above treeline and eventually to the col between subppeaks 2 and 3.


Approaching the col with Bow Lake in the background

Bow Lake from Crystal Ridge

Rambler ladies at the ridge col

We stopped at the col for a short break and then headed up the quartzite blocks/rocks to the top of subpeak 2. Subpeaks 1 and 2 are to the left (North of the col).


Sitting among the quartzite blocks at the top of subpeak 2

Barb heading up quartzite blocks on subpeak 2, with 3 and 4 to the left

With the skies darkening to the West, the group decided to skip subpeak 1 and head back to the col to have lunch.

By the time the group had finished lunch, the clouds had moved off and blue skies reappeared. So we began the traverse of the ridge South towards subpeaks 3 and 4.

Alda, Jan and Jane enjoying the views from subpeak 3

Cirque Peak and Helen Lake from Crystal Ridge

The views along Crstal Ridge are Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier on one side and Cirque Peak and Helen Lake on the other side. After a short stop at the top of subpeak 3 to admire the views, we continued on towards subpeak 4.


Elaine on the ridge with Dolomite Peak in the backgound

Janice and the ladies traversing the ridge between subpeak 3 and subpeak 4

We had to lose a minor amount of elevation descending to the low point on the ridge between subpeaks 3 and 4. With the sun shining and no wind, the group took an extra long rest break at the top of subpeak 4.


Enjoying the sun and views on subpeak 4

Looking North from subpeak 4 back along Crystal Ridge

To continue South from subpeak 4, we descended down to a bench on the west side of the subpeak and went through a gap in rib to the slopes below supeak 4. This required negotiating medium and large size quartzite rocks to the base of a high vertical yellow wall. The route follows along the right hand base of this wall to some quartzite towers lower along the ridge. The quarttzite tower was bypassed on the left hand side.

Traversing down to the scree slope at the South end of the ridge

From there an easy traverse to a large scree slope, which we descended and then through an old burn to the Helen Lake trail. We arrived back at the cars at 4 PM.

Thanks to all the Rambler ladies Alda,Shirley,Jeannette,Janice,Inge,Jane,Barbara,Elaine for their great company and for joining me Kevin (S/C) on a Tuesday adventure in Bow Lake area of Banff National Park.

Elevation gain 850 m
Total elevation gain 950 m
Total distance 10 km
Note: The section from subpeak 4 down to the South end of of the ridge is scramble 5 - requires some route finding and use of hands. If I repeat this trip in the future, I would skip the section from subpeak 4 down to the South end of the ridge. Instead, from subpeak 4, I would retrace the route back to the low point between subpeaks 3 and 4. From there descend to a flat rock bench on the West side of the ridge and angle right (north) and down thorough semi open slopes to the "rock garden" feature lower down and then back to the Helen Lake trail. This was the the snow shoe descent route I used last winter. If one follows this option, the trip is OT5.