James Walker Creek cirque Off-Trail hike on 18-Jul-2024

We lucked on the weather for our trip to James Walker Cirque. Our group of 12 left left the Sawmill parking lot just after 9 AM and headed up the fire road to the junction with James Walker Creek. The high humidity was counter balanced by the high overhead cloud. Travelling at a moderate pace, we made good time along the James Walker Creek trail and stopped for a break at the lower tarn.

Lower tarn on James Walker Creek

While Bill, Monica and Phillip did some serious flower investigations, the rest of the group focused on ‘world problem solving’.

Working our way around the edge of the lower tarn in James Walker Creek

There was just enough room on the edge of the lower tarn to allow the group to traverse around the tarn without having to bushwack. The upper creek was running very fast and the views of both of the waterfalls on the upper creek were impressive.

Upper waterfall on James Walker Creek

We continued along the trail to the Northeast Cirque where we were greeted with a cool steady moderate breeze, which made for very pleasant hiking conditions.

The group stopped for lunch at noon at the first of the upper tarns.

The first upper tarn in the Northeast cirque

Enjoyin lunch beside the first upper tarn

Afterwards we made our way the short distance to the second of the upper tarns.

The second upper tarn

Group photo at the second tarn

Heading back from the second upper tarn

After a group discussion, it was decided to skip the third of the upper tarns and take a different route (known to the trip coordinator) back down out of the cirque.

Phyllis and the gang leaving the northeast cirque

The group traversed along a broad open bench under the north side of Mount Inflexible.

Traversing the bench below Mount Inflexible

Lower tarn from the top of the avalanche slope

This led to a wide rocky avalanche slope which was descended along the right hand side edge. The terrain was mostly vegetation with two very short low angle rock bands.

Descending the edge of the avalanche slope below the North side of Mt Inflexible

At the bottom of the avalanche slope, a trail led back to the main trail, joining up near the second waterfall. From there the group made their way back down to the lower tarn and out to the fire road. We arrived back at the vehicles at 3:30 PM.

It was a day of pleasant hiking weather, beautiful scenery and of many lively enjoyable conversations. Thanks to the group Philip,Bill,Dean,Phyllis,Aldis,Nardi,Barb,Cathy,John,Jo and Monica for joining me Kevin (C/S) on this Thursday outing in Kananaskis Country.

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