Three early-bird hikers started at the trailhead at 8:15 AM (-2'C)after checking the avalanche transceivers. Avalanche conditions were rated as low (above, on and below tree line). Traction was good on 1-2cm of crisp firm snow frozen onto the ice below. The weather was pleasant and the snow was very firm and homogeneous. No snowshoes were required up to the final ascent into Bourgeau Lake's basin.

During the warm spell 4 weeks ago, avalanches (approximately Class 2), had cleared virtually all the snow off the avalanche tracks above the trail, also collapsing the cornices above. The resulting debris on the trail was frozen solid, like small glaciers with a little snow dusting on the surface. In all, we counted 7 avalanche debris deposits on the way up to where the trail crosses the creek flowing from Bourgeau Lake's basin. These large icy debris-bodies could linger until July. They could become unstable & dangerous during spring meltdown, something to keep in mind! Just before the trail crosses the creek below the waterfall from Bourgeau Lake's basin was the largest avalanche runout. The debris had consolidated into approximately 6m thick ice. It had originated in a small cirque South of the creek (above right top of the picture below), cleaned off the smooth 35' to 45' rock slope above a 15m high rock-ledge, then settled onto the less steep area below (see pictures).

After crossing the debris and the creek (both frozen solid), we put on our snowshoes for the last climb into Bourgeau Lake's basin. In the basin the snow had very little cohesion (facetted) with sun/wind-slab on top.

We did not proceed above the lake to Harvey Pass, since snow conditions in the pass above the lake looked very unstable, with what looked like a thin layer of facetted snow on steep scree slopes and smooth wind-slab formation. The wind blew plumes of dry snow across these scree slopes. The lake itself was in the shade (-4'C), cold & wind-blown. Therefore, we backtracked a little distance and had lunch comfortably in the sun (+2'C), with a beautiful view down to the Bow Valley and Mount Corry to the NE from 1:00 to 1:30PM. We made an easy, relatively quick descent.

Halfway down in the trees, the temperature rose to +4'C. Millions of small black insects, less than the size of a pin-head, peppered the snow (let's call them snow-fleas). These "fleas" were enjoying the mild temperature and having a jolly time jumping around with abandon. We were back at the car at 4:15PM after a beautiful and eductional hike in good company. Approximate disctance / altitude gain: 15km / 750m. Participants: Bernie (Coordinator), Cornelis (Scribe & photographer)and his son Danker (group picture).

In all, I rate the Bourgeau Lake trail as Class 3 terrain, according to the National Park Rating. It should never be attempted after any kind of snowfall. In this case, the avalanche tracks were largely cleaned out and were stabilized during the preceding 4-week period of cyclic warming & freezing, without significant snowfall. In addition, avalanche conditions should be low, below, on and above the tree line. An advantage of the Bourgeau lake trail is that it mostly provides good views of the conditions overhead.