Barrier Lake Lookout April 22, 2018

When I knew once again that Sunday instead of Saturday was going to be my play day, I rattled my brain on where to go.  I "settled on" hiking up to the Barrier Lake Lookout.  I have been up there numerous times, in various conditions at different times of the year.  When I use the words "settled on" it makes it sound like well this place is better than nothing.  My experience today gave me a whole new appreciation for this Lookout Location and the words to describe it would be at the opposite end of the spectrum to "settled on".  How fortunate was I to see this place in this way!

I went for the early start, not as early as I tried for, but early enough to see the beautiful sky on the drive out, being the third vehicle in the lot, a bit of golden glow for the hike across the dam, and hearing the coyote cries.   Shortly after entering the forest I met a group coming down who had been at the viewpoint spot since 3:00am.  I knew then I would be on my own.

a split shadow

After entering the forest it was full on snow packed and solid enough that microspikes were needed.  I was beginning to realize the early start and hopefully early enough finish would afford me no slush nor mud.  Upon reaching the view point, those lovely clouds had developed and would stay with me for the entire time.

The steep parts up to the Ridge and then on up to the Lookout were solid snow steps.  It actually made for an easier ascent.  Once the sun shone on these sections it would become a bit sketchy.  I reached the Lookout Location and was shocked to see the amount of snow.  Someone had to have been along here with a shovel.  

I have never seen this much snow up here.  I already began to think that hopefully when it melts it evaporates up and doesn't run down.  I wondered if there was this much snow on surrounding mountains.  I admired the view from the helipad before heading on to the back side of the Lookout house.

There was no way I was getting to the rocky section by the wind flag.  The snow depth was near to my shoulders.  I wondered who shovelled the path.  Would the Lookout person be coming up here to live any time soon?  This was as close as I could get to the flag as the wind gusts came and went.

When no one is home, the deck is open to visitors.  

Being up on it afforded a great view down into the Bow Valley.  

The depth of the snow is crazy.  You know how tall I am, the snow level was to my shoulders.  It was like a maze walking through this part.  I thought about when I was canyoneering near Zion and instead of working my way through slot canyons here I was working my way through a snow canyon.

on the sunny side of the deck

After savouring the sun and a snack and some time just sitting and thinking, I packed up and began the trek down.  Ooops gotta grab my destination shot first.  I tested the snow first before stepping onto it.  It was packed solid enough to support me.  I knew I better get going before the snow becomes slush making for a slippery sketchy descent.

view of Yamnuska on the way down

I spent about an hour at the Barrier Lake Lookout.  The descent down to the Ridge was easy enough and the descent down the View Point was easy too.  Beyond that the snow was becoming soft but the steep sections were completed.  As I worked my way down the switchbacks I came upon three people heading up.  I was surprised there was no one else before that.  Then there was more people and even more and then again even more.  I knew they would all be contending with slush and no doubt mud.  

Hiking back along the dam to the trail head the scenery was an explosion of beauty!  No wonder so many people were just stopping and staring.  In a way I didn't want this hike to end and in another way I was glad it was over, I wanted to hurry home and download my photos.  When I got home and looked at them it just confirmed that we have such beautiful places here in our rocky mountains and that the words "settled on" never really should be used.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I have said before and I will say it again, after today my eyes are full to the brim!