bobspirko.ca | Home | Canada Trips | US Trips | Hiking | Snowshoeing | MAP | About
Panorama Ridge
Lake Louise, Alberta
June 19, 2004
Distance:12.5 km (7.8 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1000 m (3281 ft)
It's a slog going up the gully, but Panorama Ridge is worth the climb because of the views. After hiking up Consolation Lakes trail, Dinah and I tried to cross the creek too soon. It's better to continue up a ways where logs and rocks make crossing easier.
After crossing, we headed to the broad ascent gully. The slog up seemed interminable, so we were glad when we reached the ridge. A short ridge walk led to the summit. After summiting, we headed to the east peak, but there was too much snow to continue, so we descended the nearest gully. Even so, the loop provided extra scenery in this scenic area.
Hiking up the Consolation Lakes trail
View of Panorama Ridge
just before reaching Consolation Lakes
Looking for the best place to cross Babel Creek
We had to get our feet wet
Looking up the ascent gully
Looking back
Tower of Babel in the foreground
We made good progress in the firm snow in the gully
Gully narrows ahead
Almost at the narrow section
We've reached the rocks and will soon start climbing
The slope steepens
Squeezing through some boulders
Dinah follows me up the steep slope
Quadra Mountain
On the ridge looking north
Ahead is the summit
The last section to the summit requires scrambling up quartzite rocks
After summiting we continued along the ridge
A huge cornice lines much of the ridge
We made it to the pinnacles where we found it difficult and exposed. Best to do in dry
conditions.
Trying to climb higher
We soon gave up and started down
Cute bird, but such skinny legs!
Our descent gully
Looking down Consolation Valley
Partway down
Coming down on avalanche snow
Looking up the gully
Mount Temple fills the background behind the Tower of Babel
One of the Consolation Lakes. We followed a crude shoreline trail back.
82 N/8 Lake Louise
