Bow Glacier Falls

Dist: 9.6km    Elev: 150m    Time: 3h    Difficulty: 1/5

After a few years of relatively ambitious outings, I planned a more laid-back itinerary for this year's "Bear Bait" guy's trip. As it turns out, outdoor enjoyment can indeed be found without endless uphill slogging or sketchy scrambling. Who knew?

We convoyed to the Bow Lake trailhead on Highway 93N, Lloyd and Dean in the Acura and Matt, Ken and I in the Civic. The two hour drive passed quickly as we enjoyed some entertaining chats about sleezy used car salesmen, our different tastes in music, and fatherhood. I even set a new fuel efficiency record thanks to Lloyd's insurance app tracking our speed. Creepy, but economical. 

It was incredibly smoky when we left Calgary and this continued all the way to the trailhead at Bow Lake. While this prevented the usual views of Crowfoot Mountain and surrounding peaks, the trail still rewarded us with just enough scenic interest as we worked our way around the lake and across the gravel flats towards the falls. We stopped a couple times, once to layer up when the wind picked up and it began to rain (some "brave" members still opted to face the day in shorts), and again to explore an interesting and large chockstone bridging the river.

We arrived at the impressive Bow Glacier Falls in just over an hour, stopping for photos and to take in the magnitude of the Bow River's headwaters. Eventually, we retreated from the misty rocks and set up on some softer and dryer moss for a snack break (Marla cookies, Teddy Grahams, and a flask of pickle juice were among the culinary highlights). We enjoyed quality conversation while retracing our steps back to the cars in the wet and smoky haze, which seemed even thicker later in the day. Matt elected to ride back with Lloyd and Dean, providing a rare opportunity for quality one on one time with Mr. Ken which was definitely a highlight of my day. 

The scenery of Bow Glacier Falls was indeed beautiful and impressive, even in the unideal weather conditions, but I was reminded why each year's "Bear Bait" trip is a highlight of my summer each year - the quality guys in my life I get to call family. Already looking forward to the next one!

Bow Lake and Crowfoot Mountain (apparently).

Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.

Typical scenery as we circumnavigate the lake.

We witnessed a few traces of sunlight.

Lloyd, Ken and Matt chatting about something.

Approaching the short climb along the gorge.

These stairs were the only real elevation gain of the day. Short but steep.

Looking down from the chockstone that bridges the river.

View from the chockstone.

First views of the falls as we reach the top of the stairs.

Approaching Bow Glacier Falls.

The Bear Bait gang.

Back through the gravel flats.

An interesting and "perfect" tree growing in the rocks.

Coming back down the stairs.

Following the river that flows from the falls to Bow Lake.

A bit eerie but beautiful in its own way.

The haze seemed even thicker on the way back.

Getting close. Num-Ti-Jah in the distance.

Made it.

Final views of Bow Lake. A wet, smoky, and highly enjoyable day with some great guys!