Nine Ramblers left the Bow Lake parking lot under sunny blue skies.  


Morning reflection on Bow Lake

After hiking around the lake, we followed the trail most of the way to Bow Falls. We detoured right and headed up a faint trail towards the headwall. Higher up, we went right prematurely, lured by a cairn and what appeared to be a trail. We ended up having to some additional easy scrambling diagonally up grassy ledges until we hit the correct access ledge higher up.


Coming up the one short scrambly section

 The access ledge led to the open upper basin, where the group enjoyed  a rest break and great scenery.


Exiting the long access ledge into the basin

Rest break in the basin with Jimmy Simpson in the centre

  The basin led to the snow and talus slopes below the col, which were quickly ascended. .


Cordula leading the group up the snow towards the col

Susan and Ricardo at the col

Mount Olive and Mount St Nicholas from the col

There was a strong cool breeze at the col, which was the cue for the group to layer up. A broad low angle talus slope led from the col to the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson. The views from the summit were spectacular. We ended up spending an hour on the summit.


Mount Rhonda and Baker and the Peyto Glacier from the summit

Bow Lake from the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson

Ramblers on the summit of Jimmy Simpson

We retraced our route back to the access ledge and followed it across the headwall and back to the ascent trail. The return trip around the lake resulted in the only incident of the day, as one of the group tripped on a root on the trail and ended up removing patches of skin from her hand and knee. Thanks to Jack, Marietta, Susan, Carl, Cordula, Ricardo, Inge and Gary for joining me Kevin (S/C) on a great day in Banff National Park. Total distance 15.5 km and total elevation gain 1075 metres.