Unbelievable weather and conditions, on this the first day that bikes are allowed along Lake Minnewanka. We were almost 12 hours round trip, but that includes a hour on top, return on the longer route via Aylmer Lookout and several longish rest breaks. No headlamps required.
Members and bikes were all assembled and the sun was up at the Minnewanka trail head by 7:40. The 8 km along the lake are not particularly easy riding. Most had to get off their bikes a few times for steep hills or tricky terrain.


Biking along Lake Minnewanka

But we covered the distance to the Aylmer Pass junction in a little over an hour which is way faster than walking.
Then the climb starts, first to the Aylmer Lookout junction and then on to the obvious gully that takes off to the right. We were well under an hour to get from the lookout junction to the gully. (Kane says a good hour, perhaps from the lake?)


Break at bottom of gully (just off Aylmer Pass trail)

We had a short break at the bottom of the gully and then a longer one at the col on the ridge that joins the peak to the Lookout (which would be our return route).


Break at the col, summit of Aylmer at right

From the col to the summit is a long tedious slog on talus and scree. Two tried the west ridge but it gets pretty technical and one had to lose and regain a lot of elevation to get onto the easier route. We were all at the summit in well under 6 hours.


Carl, Damian, Bob, John, Susan, Gary, Bill and Wallace on the summit of Mt Aylmer

With the clear weather we had a great time identifying many dozens of summits. Mountain-forecast.com had predicted temperature near zero at the top. In fact it was a very comfortable 13-16 degrees. And so spending a "Rambler hour" on the summit was feasible. As we were getting ready to leave, a group of five from the Calgary Scrambling and Mountaineering Club were just reaching summit.


On the summit of Mt Aylmer

The talus and scree was much easier on the way down, but it did seem like a very long way to the col on the ridge where we agreed to follow the ridge to the Aylmer Lookout. This is considerably longer but all felt that it was well worthwhile on such a lovely day.


On to Aylmer Lookout

Then it was down the trails to the bikes and the ride back to the cars.


Back before dark (Mt Inglismaldie)

Five stopped for dinner at The Drake in Canmore.

Many thanks to Susan, Gary, Bill, Bob, Damian, John, and Wallace for joining me, Carl (C/S).