I think most folks had a nice day on this tour, I did! The calendar entry originally suggested Giant Steps as a destination but we opted for the Lake Annette alternative also mentioned. This is one of Yolande's favourite tours so she was a big help making sure we took the Fairview trail approach rather than the Paradise summer trail head parking lot approach - much better than the steeper alternative I was planning. There is a connecting trail from the Moraine lake road to the Fairview trail. We did branch off the trail to ski by the creek which is mostly nice and open. Initially for about 500m there was an old track but then Mike broke a solid track for us with John widening it for us on his AT gear. At one point we did cross the creek to the north west side - initially fine - but then it got a bit bushy so we crossed back to the south east side.
David carefully crossing the creek, Paradise Valley
Crossing Paradise creek on a snow bridge.
Best to stay on the south east side. We rejoined the summer trail by the first bridge on the Paradise valley trail.
By one of the bridges across Paradise creek - Saddle mountain in the background
This was just before noon so we took a break for a bit of early lunch. The remaining trail had been broken but had a little bit of fresh snow. Some managed the short steep section to Lake Annette on wax or fishscale ski bases but many used skins or half skins.
Barbara on the last climb to Annette lake
A little windy at the lake but we were rewarded with a view of the impressive north face of Mount Temple with teetering seracs on the summit glacier.
The descent from Lake Annette back to Paradise creek is fairly steep - indeed your scribe rejoined the group at the creek with his jacket rather snowy. Weather cleared a bit giving us nice views on the return.
Great views of the back side of Mt Temple
The group split at the first bridge on the Paradise valley trail with some enjoying the steeper ascent / descent on the summer trail while others returned on our track by the creek. Interestingly both groups took more or less the same time.The off trail creek route is nice and open in a few spots allowing views.
Rosanne and Philip Paradise Valley
Philip along the creek on the way back
We did have avalanche gear but I think this to Lake Annette would be OK without - as long as one stays in the trees by Lake Annette and you do n't venture out onto the frozen lake below those impressive seracs!
Thanks to a great cooperative group that, despite the big group, made group management easy.
The gang with Mt Temple in background
Thanks Arnold and Celine for the photos. Thanks also to Yolande for good route advice and to Dave volunteering as co-coordinator with the big group. Participants: Rosanne,Philip,Terry,David,Arnold,Yolande,Phyllis,John,Mike,John,Celine,Clifton,Barbara,Evan
