On the 3rd Day of Hiking (Bow Summit)

Our third day of hiking was also a transit day. Joan and I departed Canmore and Canadian Artisans for Yoho National Park, to overnight at Cathedral Mountain Lodge. Here are Val and Joan as we say goodbye.

Also before leaving I took this snapshot of a small fabric bonsai with an origami crane. Clever and very effective. And low maintenance.

Our mid-day hike was to the Bow Summit Lookout. We had trod this path three years ago, but been frustrated with the views (and photography) due to the onset of showers. Today there were some light sprinkles in the morning, but the day remained dry.

At a few minutes past noon we searched for a place to park among the throngs at Peyto Lake, and of course paid a visit to its viewpoint. We must have heard a dozen languages today, because Peyto Lake has become a must-see destination.

The color, from glacial silt, never ceases to please.

Continuing on the paved path, Joan and I arrived at the point of departure for Bow Summit Lookout. 99% of the crowd didn't go this far.

Much of the trail was unremarkable, a moderate climb with one pair of switchbacks. There was a big dip close to the end, however, so we had a downhill/uphill combination both coming and going.

The valley and the rock formations made this a good place to spot pikas and marmots.

This marmot was enjoying a burst of sunshine. It was the only marmot we saw during our entire trip; many were already hibernating, or preparing to do so.

Beyond the location of the old fire lookout the trail becomes unofficial, a boot-beaten track that took us higher and to a southern view.

Joan and I continued to what we considered a good vantage point. Before sitting down for lunch I accidentally dislodged a rock that spun halfway down the mountainside before coming to a stop, hopping like a skipping stone. Watch your step!

It was a great place to munch and spend time. To the south the Icefields Parkway ran past the drive for Num-Ti-Ja lodge, on the shores of Bow Lake.

A zoom-in on the overflow parking there. Beyond the lake are trails to Bow Falls and even the Bow Hut.

Bow Summit acquired its name from being the highest point on the Icefields Parkway, and the highest for "a major highway" in Canada. This high point of the road was visible in the view to the north.

Above us, two young women had clambered up as far as the cliff face.

Photo taken with zoom.

Then it was time to hike back to the car and check in at Cathedral Mountain. The dip-and-climb looked like this on the return:

Our next day would see us returning to Lake O'Hara.