Three Ramblers set out from the truck pull-over just East of West Louise Lodge at 10:30AM. (The Lodge was closed and the parking lot shut off.) Light snow was gently drifting down. The weather would not change during the hike, the temperature remaining at approximately -8’C. Occasionally the faint silver sun-disk could be seen. We arrived at the lake at 11:45AM, after a steady snow-shoe assisted ascent in good, firm snow conditions. The ladies consented to a snap-shot after some negotiation.

Cornelis showed of his special new MK-Type snowshoes.

There was approximately 1m snow on the ground, avalanche conditions rated as Moderate above tree line and Low below tree line. We followed the Easterly lakeshore hiking North, watching the steep slope directly above us, but little snow had accumulated there; many smaller-sized rocks were still visible. Although there were ski-tracks on the snow-covered ice, we avoided snow-shoeing on the ice, since it could still be weak. We stopped just short of the major avalanche run-out at the north-end of the lake (see the satellite image) and had lunch looking out over the snowy lake from 12:25PM to 12:50PM, with a stand of large mature trees at our back.

We could not see the peaks, due to the light but steady snowfall. Therefore, I have added the image of a beautiful painting by a member of the famous “Group of Seven” painters. Unfortunately, the weather refused to clear for us.

After lunch we headed back down, making a swift and easy descent, arriving back at the car at 2:15PM. (We did not go up to Paget Lookout to avoid possible exposure to avalanche conditions.) Thank you Ladies for joining this trip, snowshoeing is fun! This was a short and easy trip to start the season and test our avalanche gear. I plan to call more snow-shoe trips this winter; Ramblers, please join!

Trip Statistics: Distance 9.5km, elevation Gain 240m.

Participants: Rita, Becky, Cornelis (author, scribe, pictures and GPS / Satellite imaging)