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Surrey, B.C.
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 12:58 PM
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Mt. Bourgeau was idealistic74 and my 6th "hiking day" in the Rockies. The previous day we had done the Plain of Six Glaciers hike out of Lake Louise- nice views but VERY busy.
The trailhead for Mt. Bourgeau is just off the #1 highway west of Banff. There were two other cars at the parking lot when we arrived just after 9am. Another car with a couple girls pulled in after us, but they stuck around waiting for a friend. Their intention too was to summit Mt. Bourgeau. There are pit toilets at the parking lot, which were disgusting and almost unusable unless you have absolutely no sense of smell or a feces fetish. For the most part, I was extremely impressed how well maintained everything was around Banff/Yoho/Lake Louise including trails, signage, visitor centres and washrooms - this shitter was the one exception.
Off we went, through the fenced wildlife gate at the trailhead to start the hike. The hike begins in the trees, then follows Bow Valley to Bourgeau Lake. The trail is a well maintained mixture of dirt paths, boardwalks, rocky trail and some scree.
    
  Bourgeau Lake
Just before reaching Bourgeau Lake we met a couple heading back after reaching the lake. Shortly after that we ran into another couple who turned around after Harvey Lake. After Bourgeau Lake the trail climbs up to a couple small unnamed lakes and then passes Harvey Lake.
   
 Harvey Lake
After Harvey Lake is a fairly steep, but non-technical hike to the summit. We would be the first people summiting that day. The winds from Harvey Lake up to the summit were steady and gusting near 100km/h! Fortunately the trail up avoids any steep drops and is easy to follow. Halfway to the summit looking back we saw more people heading up. We had lunch on the top behind the shelter of a small portable building at the summit. Shortly after arriving another hiker showed up... the friend of the girls we met at the parking lot. Turns out the girls got blisters and turned around at the lake.
   
   
   Summit weather station and view of Banff
 Bourgeau Lake from above
On the way back down we passed a half dozen or more people making the trek up to the summit - and getting blown around in the wind. An older gentleman said he figured the winds were at least 60mph.
  
I was very tempted to go for a swim in Harvey Lake on the way down, but I was cold enough from the high winds.
  
One of my favourite hikes so far in this area and f you need some good quick food in Banff I recommend the burgers at Barpa Bill's. |
Edited by - outdoors guy on 09/01/2011 2:32 PM
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South Surrey, BC
Canada
626 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 1:06 PM
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In the Don't Waste your Time in the Canadian Rockies book the author says "Bourgeau Lake is merely the box office. Harvey Pass is the warm-up act. Mt. Bourgeau is the headliner. Most people pay for the ticket, then leave without seeing the show. What they are missing is astounding. " and I cannot agree more, it was one hell of a fantastic hike, the views were great, we saw marmots.. just a stunning place! We were shocked to see all the people turning around - 2 turned around at lake Bourgeau, around 8+ turned around at Harvey Pass.
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1702 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 1:35 PM
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| Way to high-grade the Rockies! A favorite of mine to be sure. |
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 Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
6302 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 1:40 PM
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quote:
Lake Bourgeau Lake Harvey
Bourgeau lake, Harvey lake, Lake Louise, Lake O'hara, Lake Agnes, Taylor Lake, Boom lake etc etc
Nice pics. |
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Surrey, B.C.
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 2:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by time2clmb
quote:
Lake Bourgeau Lake Harvey
Bourgeau lake, Harvey lake, Lake Louise, Lake O'hara, Lake Agnes, Taylor Lake, Boom lake etc etc
Nice pics.
Pics nice. |
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877 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 3:28 PM
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| Looks like you two have had quite a tour of the Rockies, and you're picking some good spots. Glad the weather has cooperated for you also! |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3794 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2011 : 10:26 PM
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I think if you could only make it up to Harvey Pass, you'd still have a worthwhile day of it. Turning around at the lake is a long hike for not that much reward.
Nice colours! |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2011 : 4:42 PM
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Beautiful pictures, the reward of being in a different area is good  . |
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Mt. Bourgeau - Aug. 23, 2011
