The snow conditions were amazingly good at Lake Louise today. We had a wonderful day, Damian and Bob skiing on special blue wax and Shirley skiing on red wax. She probably didn't require red but had put it on the night before and didn't have any glide problems. The start temperature was -3C.
We did the usual plod up Tramline which was single trackset. At Moraine Lake Road we encountered our first people (2). Moraine Lake Road was double trackset. At Fairview we encountered only packed snow and as we were about 1/2 way around ran into the track setter putting in a single track. There were a few more people skiing on Fairview but pretty quiet still. The shortcut trail to Lake Louise was single trackset and provided an easy run down to the lake. Here we encountered some tourists but no large crowds. We skied past the chateau and climbed up to the ridge behind the chateau and the multi-trail junction. Bob confirmed the start of the Ross Lake trail for a future trip and it appeared to have been boot packed by hikers or snowshoers.We decided to have lunch here in a hazy sun coverage muted by clouds.
After lunch, we skied down the Upper Telemark even testing a short section which is the black diamond run because snow conditions were so good. There were lots of snow bombs from trees on the track. Next it was on to Peyto and then to the Great Divide Trail which had a fast track. The sled dogs were also running today. We came to what we thought was the far west end of the Lower Telemark Trail as identified by the map sign posted - turned out it wasn't. We entered the trail and found the skiing to be enjoyable with lots of roller coaster type skiing. At the next junction the sign indicated we were at the second of four access points to this trail. As we skied the next section, I thought the terrain, and particularly the meadows seemed to be more familiar like we were on the fourth (furthest east) leg. Sure enough the trail came out at the Great Divide trail rather than the junction for the third access point to this trail. Just a warning to Ron and his group doing a somewhat similar trip on Friday to bring your map from the internet and do not trust the signs Parks Canada have installed on the Lower Telemark Trail. They are incorrect as far as the "you are here" arrows.
We skied the Great Divide Trail back to the parking lot and hoofed it across the road to the Louise Creek hiking trail. Damian and I put our skis on but took them off at the steep section up to the Tramline trail. Shirley knowing better, walked the whole trail up to the Tramline. From here it was a nice glide for Damian and Shirley down to the cars. Bob had to do some double poling to keep up to the glide of the other two. We arrived back at the cars around 2:45pm. An excellent day out on very good snow, the right wax and nice warm weather. As Shirley said, probably her best track ski this year. The temperature at the finish was +2C and I noticed we were starting to lose grip with the special blue as we came into the parking lot.
Sorry, no pictured this time - we were too busy enjoying the ski.
Thanks to participants: Damianand Shirley for great company and a wonderful day of skiing. Damian's stats showed 23.5 km. traveled.
Bob C/S