The weather leading up to the trip was kind of "iffy" and the forecast was generally rain. The six of us decided to go to the trail head and take our chances.

4 days Backpack is starting, Jim, Chip, Suzy,Janice, Christine

We arrived at the Upper Kananaskis Parking lot (there were a few cars in the parking lot) and since there was no rain carried on to The Forks Campground. We arrived early in the afternoon and there was a fire and may be three or four tents already pitched. . There was a light rain so we set up the tarps and socialized with a hiker from Regina who was on his first solo trip and had just encountered a grizzly (big adrenalin rush-better than Red Bull). Another hiker turned up with pictures of Three Isle Campground covered in snow . Later that evening two young men from Toronto turned up in sneakers and it seemed that they were doing the traverse as well. Tea time at The Forks:


North Kananaskis Pass Backpack

That night it rained and was very cold. The next day we hiked up to Turbine Canyon through a combination of mud and patches of snow which were quite deep. In fact, we made some deep potholes and we had to watch Yoko in case she disappeared. Luckily, the weather was partly showers and bursts of sunshine which dried out our rain gear. We reached Turbine Canyon at around 5 pm and we were the only ones in the campground except for two custodians who were cleaning out the outhouses, and a very large porcupine and bunnies.

North Kananaskis Pass Backpack

The custodians suggested that there was probably too much snow to go over the pass. We set up camp and two of us hiked over to the Haig Glacier Winsport Camp where we had tea. It was rather chilly at the campsite and there were dark clouds rolling around.

Late that evening the Torontoians appeared-soaking wet but we were pleased to see them and were impressed by their determination. Rain again but these LunaChicks were still full of enthusiasm.

Jim, Janice, Christine, Chip, Suzy- Beatty Glacier at back ground

The next day, instead of completing the traverse we scrambled up a ridge south of North Kananaskis Pass overlooking Maud Lake.

snow covered Maude-Lawson Trail

Lawson Lake- Maude-Lawson Trail

View from North Kananaskis Pass

More views of Maud Lake


Lawson Lake- Maude-Lawson Trail

We called the scramble Baby Beatty and had there been no snow, you could probably have continued for quite some distance.


enjoying views from shoulder of Mt.Beatty

climbing on shoulder of Mt.Beatty

In the afternoon, we explored Turbine Canyon, the trails on both sides of the dramatic canyon.


Turbine Canyon

North Kananaskis Pass Backpack

The next day we hiked out leaving at 8 am and arriving at the cars at 3 pm.

Maude-Lawson Trail, on the way to back home

This is a trip I would certainly repeat; even though we had unsettled weather, the periods of sun dried our tents and we were able to set up tarps to get some relief from the rain. The scenery was absolutely spectacular and having the area to ourselves was a real treat.

We had a lot of fun and typically of the Ramblers were full of advice to each other and to the Torontoians who got an earfull of information about hiking and life skills.

Thanks to the four LunaChicks Janice, Suzy, Yoko and to Jim and Chip. Chip and Yoko thanks for the photos.