Bow Glacier Falls

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Bow Glacier Falls
  • Location: Banff National Park (Icefields Parkway)
  • Activity: Snowshoeing
  • Height: 2,143 m (7,031 ft)
  • Elevation Gain: 230 m (755 ft)
  • Distance: 8.1 km / Round Trip (5.0 mi)
  • Avg Steepness: 3.3°
  • Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hrs
  • Technicality: Novice
  • Fitness Level: Easy
Day 2 at Icefields Parkway long weekend solo trip. I was still sick, but didn't matter since I had to go home by 3 pm, I planed to leave at latest noon, so I only could do a short hike. So I decided to check out Bow Glacier Falls.

I used a guide book "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide" by Brian Patton & Bart Robinson. I parked at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Since Bow Lake was frozen, I could walk on it. For summer, I traced actual trail indicated in green line. If you choose to, you can be hardcore and swim the cold cold glacier water. Trail started right at the parking and I just followed it. After crossing the lake and shore, actual ascent started for a short distance. At the end of ascent, I arrived at moraine (page 4). That was the end for me, but the trail kept going farther south through a small canyon. I assumed that goes to Bow Hut (page 5).

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Early morning. Officially past sunrise, but surrounded by mountains, sun wasn't quite up yet for me. Walking on Bow Lake seeing Crowfoot Mountain.

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Lake shore.

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Soon enough I arrived at moraine. I was actually surprised because the picture on the book only showed falls. I wasn't expected to see moraine.

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I assumed this ski track goes to Bow Hut.

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I opened up my water bottle, and saw an ice ball growing inside.

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South side of Crowfoot Mountain.

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Since I had little more time, I decided to go up a ridge of moraine to get up on a high point.

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I have to say this trail offers pretty good view without much of effort.

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Time to go home.

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