We experienced an astounding variety of weather on this day that was forecast to be clear with a possible sun shower at 1. Overcast for the long climb to Heart Mtn, mainly sunny for the walk to Grant McEwen, then we could see some weather coming down the valley so we headed off, a fierce wind squall with some rain hit before the climb up the last peak, we sheltered under trees for 20 minutes or so, then bluebird skies for the descent of the long east ridge, another squall with some wind and more rain as we entered the forest, and finally bluebird skies again for the last part of the descent and the walk back along the base!

The grunt up the front face seems to get a little longer/harder every time I go. And the crux climb gets more slippery as well. But we all made it up okay.

First lunch at the top of Heart Mtn

It cleared up quite a bit for the traverse to the high point, now called Grant McEwen Peak. But then we could see some nasty weather coming down the valley from Banff and Canmore (as can be seen in our summit photos).


Grant McEwen Peak looking northwest

Second (brief) lunch at the top of Grant McEwen (see the weather coming in)

The views at the top were still wonderful.


Barrier Lake from Grant McEwen Peak

As the squall blew through we hunkered down under the trees in the col. As we did so a dozen or so younger hikers breezed on through perhaps blown by the wind. Most were in short pants and had light outerwear. The descent ridge must have been a extra challenge, but we didn't find any bodies on the way down. In the end I think everybody was glad that I called the break.
In short order, the sun came out very nicely for the decsent of the east ridge. And then a brief rain shower hit once we were in the trees. We stopped at the Heart Creek crossing to wonder about the large construction site.


Heart Creek crossing (and major construction, new parking?)

We were a little over seven hours with a modest pace and the extra break.

Many thanks to participants: Photini,Gary,Susan,Jeannette,Sonja, and Krystyna, for joining me Carl (C/S). And I apologize for some of my mini-rants about the political/medical reality show that they are putting on south of the border for our entertainment.

Krystyna took a bunch of beautiful flower photos (as well at two above)

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