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Montreal, Quebec
Canada
3 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 3:25 PM
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Hey everyone,
I'm planning a 3 to 4 day backpacking trip in the canadian rockies mid-end July but am not sure where to go. Last year I did Littlehorn Meadows in 3 days and I absolutely loved it. We were the only one on the trail and the campsites were top notch. So I'm looking at doing a similar hike. Basically, a nice not too popular hike where campfires are allowed. Right now I'm looking at the Pipestone Pass - Devon Lakes trail with stops at fish lakes. The problem is that fish lakes seems like a quite busy spot , devon lake does not seem to have any good spot to store food, and in both places campfires are either prohibited or hard to make (no trees). Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks!!! |
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Airdrie, Alberta
Canada
4 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 7:23 PM
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| You're looking at probably doing the northover ridge loop from upper kananaskis lake. If you want to change your mind about fires, then in my opinion best hike in the Rockies is the Berg lake trail by far. |
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Montreal, Quebec
Canada
3 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 10:00 PM
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| Thanks for the info! Berg lake definitely looks like a gorgeous hike. Does it get super busy in the summer (mid july) or is it still manageable? The ridge loop also looks like a great hike but I am a bit worried by it's difficulty. Do you think an intermediate and an advanced hiker could do it in 3 days? |
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Chilliwack
Canada
306 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 07:18 AM
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By the time you go on your trip there will be a fire ban...sorry we all like that camping atmospere of a fire....
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
796 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 08:41 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Team7
Thanks for the info! Berg lake definitely looks like a gorgeous hike. Does it get super busy in the summer (mid july) or is it still manageable? The ridge loop also looks like a great hike but I am a bit worried by it's difficulty. Do you think an intermediate and an advanced hiker could do it in 3 days?
Berg Lake is very busy in July. You might be lucky to even get the campsites you want.
Northover ridge: The length won't kill you..3 days is plenty. But the exposure and route finding might be something to be careful about if you're not that confident with it. |
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Airdrie, Alberta
Canada
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 10:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by booewen
quote:
Originally posted by Team7
Thanks for the info! Berg lake definitely looks like a gorgeous hike. Does it get super busy in the summer (mid july) or is it still manageable? The ridge loop also looks like a great hike but I am a bit worried by it's difficulty. Do you think an intermediate and an advanced hiker could do it in 3 days?
Berg Lake is very busy in July. You might be lucky to even get the campsites you want.
Northover ridge: The length won't kill you..3 days is plenty. But the exposure and route finding might be something to be careful about if you're not that confident with it.
Yes agreed on the northover. I would call it intermediate. As far as berg lake is concerned I do it annually in about mid July. They only reserve about half the sites and the rest are first come first serve and as long as you are at the visitor centre when it opens you will get your spots. There are no bad campgrounds on this hike and it never feels crowded. But remember to be at the visitor centre before they open. (worst case is waiting one day at a beautiful campround at the base which has never happened to me.) |
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Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
110 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 07:04 AM
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Northover Ridge is an awesome trip!
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3787 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2012 : 4:30 PM
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Typically fires are prohibited in places where they are hard to make and will be tough on the environment either due to no available fuel, or not enough for the number of users.
What's your skill level? Northover is awesome, but not for inexperienced backpackers or people with no experience on rock. If you're comfortable in true wilderness, there are a number of lesser-used places where you can still have a small responsible fire.
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Montreal, Quebec
Canada
3 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 05:39 AM
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Thanks for all the input! Northover ridge seems like an awesome hike and I can't wait to do it.
@ Rachelo, my skill level is intermediate: done a bunch of hikes in the Adirondacks some involving minor scambling. But the people I will be with are more experienced. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
617 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 06:37 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Trail Talk
Northover Ridge is an awesome trip!
Agreed. One of the very few hikes I'd like to repeat one day. When we did it, it had tons of forest fire smoke. We did it in four days and included ascents of Sarrail, Warrior, Cordonnier, Northover, McHarg, Worthington and Putnik! :-) For some pics, check out http://verndewit.com/northover-ridge . |
Edited by - vern.dewit on 06/08/2012 06:38 AM |
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41 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 09:31 AM
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Wow what a place. Awesome pics..
Picture 2 is what lake ? |
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13 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 1:22 PM
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Mt Assiniboine is another great one. You can do an out and back trip from Mt Shark area in Kananaskis or a shuttle trip and go between sunshine ski area and Mt Shark.
The Sky Line trail in Jasper is also a great option and should be snow free by the time you want to go.
The book 'Don't waste your time in the Canadian Rockies’ has great descriptions of the Mt Assiniboine, Sky Line and Berg Lake hikes. I think those three are probably a couple of the best hikes you can do anywhere. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3787 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 3:51 PM
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| Unfortunately, Assinniboine, Skyline, and Berg Lake are very much not the 'not too popular' sought. Northover will at least have a few fewer people. (Though, it should be noted, also no fires if that's a major hangup). |
Edited by - Rachelo on 06/15/2012 3:51 PM |
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32 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2012 : 11:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Trail Talk
Northover Ridge is an awesome trip!
Would northover be snowfree on the ridge by Canada Day long weekend? |
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Calgary, Alberta
Andorra
3787 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 10:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by wayfaring stranger
Would northover be snowfree on the ridge by Canada Day long weekend?
Unlikely. |
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Topic |
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Suggestions for 3-4 day hike in the Rockies
