It was a wonderful day for snow and the weather was sunny as well. We were off shortly after 9:30 (temperature @ -18C) after sorting out a few minor problems and the transceiver check. The route went onto Moraine Lake Road, a short portion of the Fairview trail and then onto the Paradise Valley trail. At the junction of the Moraine LakeTrail and Paradise Trail we exited onto an existing track on the north side of the creek. The trail was well packed and generally easy travel with a few dips at creek channels.

Lower Paradise Creek and Sheol Mtn. in background

The valley is quite wide at this point so there is the occasional channel formed from spring runoff.


Skiing Lower Paradise Creek

Stopping for a break in lower Paradise Valley

Further up the track moved over to the south side but closer to the creek and not on the summer trail which is also on this side. At the the second bridge the track switched back and followed the summer trail to the bridge for the Annette Lake trail. At this junction, we encountered two people who had taken the summer trail, the only people we were to see on trails all day.

At the Annette Lake bridge, we exited into the creek as there was an existing track. Sadly, this track ended about 100 meters up the creek, obviously a turnaround point for earlier tourers which did not want to do trail breaking. So our group set to work putting in a track up the valley. On this section of the creek, it was easy to stay close to the creek setting the track without having to deal with trees. Trail breaking was reasonable, possibly to boot height, and mostly with consolidated snow. After about a kilometer we lost two of our group who had planned to return to the city for an evening event. The rest of us continued on, switching sides of the creek as needed using existing snow bridges which were reasonably plentiful. We waited to have a first lunch until the sun came out from behind Mount Temple so we could enjoy the solar radiation from it - it still seemed to be fairly cool without the direct sunlight when stopped. About half way up the creek to our destination we encountered a section for about 50 meters where the trees had closed in. There was no alternative so we slogged through this section and the creek opened up once again. There is one massive avalanche slope on the north side of the valley which crosses and runs up the south side. We were able to ski this on the south side of the creek a much safer location than would have been necessary when using the now decommissioned summer trail (which was up the slope on the north side). At the junction of the two creeks which join into one, we took the more southerly branch. Travel continued easy until a somewhat shorter steeper section with a bit of unconsolidated snow forced most people to skin up. After this section, the terrain became much more gradual

Upper Paradise Creek Valley

and soon we were at the bridge crossing from the highline summer trail.

We decided to visit the Horseshoe Meadows first and have a second lunch in the sun.

Group at Horseshoe Meadows

Horseshoe Meadows - Mount Temple in background

The wind came up which shortened the lunch somewhat although the sun and views were quite nice. People were undecided about visiting the Giant Steps, so we skied down to the bridge at the junction which we had passed earlier to make the decision.


Paradise Creek - Bridge Crossing of Upper trail and to Giant Steps

Two opted to head back while the rest of us would check out the Giant Steps. The trail to the Giant Steps through the short meadows was easy to follow. We lost it shortly after entering the trees. We could see the valley where the steps would be below but no matter the amount of searching we were unable to find the trail down. Since the time was getting on @ 2:30pm and it appeared the the Giant Steps would require what seemed like a significant loss of elevation with resultant climb up, the decision was made to leave it for another time.

The return ski on the track we had put in was wonderful with a steady downhill and really nice powder snow. In no time we had arrived at the Lake Annette bridge. The track from this point was a little more packed but still excellent skiing. The run down the last part of the Paradise Trail which can be quite icy went without a "hitch" with good powder at the side for additional braking. We arrived back at the cars shortly after 5:00pm with no one seen on the Moraine Lake Road tracks and only a few cars left in the parking lot.

A fun and enjoyable day with great snow conditions was had by Kim, Terry, David, Yolande, Alda, Shirley, Bob, Jane and Toshiko. Thanks to all for joining me and for assisting with the trail breaking.

Thanks to David and Toshiko for providing photos of the trip.

Bob C/s