{"id":19841,"date":"2019-03-20T08:10:40","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T14:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19841"},"modified":"2019-04-09T22:24:10","modified_gmt":"2019-04-10T04:24:10","slug":"mount-jimmy-simpson-banff-national-park-alberta-canada-8-6-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19841","title":{"rendered":"Mount Jimmy Simpson, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (8-6-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe stood out on the flat, cracked mud of a small clearing.\u00a0 Bright green shoots were poking up around the edges.\u00a0 Bushes or stunted deep green conifers surrounded most of the area.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog gazed up at SPHP with a puzzled expression.\u00a0 A fabulous morning in the Canadian Rockies!\u00a0 Everything had been going great.\u00a0 What was the holdup?<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t the only one puzzled.\u00a0 The path simply ended here.\u00a0 No sign of any trail.\u00a0 SPHP had been certain there would be one.\u00a0 A year ago, on the way back from Bow Glacier Falls, a hiker had told SPHP there was a side trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/span><\/a> (9,731 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from this area.\u00a0 The hiker had said the trail left the Bow Glacier Falls Trail from the forested ridge providing the first close up view of the falls.\u00a0 A search of that ridge had revealed nothing.\u00a0 Lupe had gone on, giving up on the idea, but SPHP had vowed she would return some day better prepared.<\/p>\n

So here she was!\u00a0 Back again, a year later.\u00a0 Supposedly better prepared, but apparently not well enough.\u00a0 As SPHP studied the topo map with the GPS track on it, a sickening realization sunk in.\u00a0 Overly confident, SPHP hadn’t printed out enough of the surrounding territory to be able to tell exactly where Lupe was supposed to leave the Bow Glacier Falls trail.\u00a0 The falls weren’t shown.<\/p>\n

Should have paid more attention to the terrain to the W on the way up.\u00a0 Most of it was out of sight now.\u00a0 Heh.\u00a0 It didn’t seem right.\u00a0 SPHP hated to say it, much less do it.\u00a0 Probably a complete waste of valuable time, but the possibility needed to be checked out.<\/p>\n

Guess we better go back, Looper!\u00a0 Don’t think we did, but we might have already missed the turn to Mount Jimmy Simpson.\u00a0 Let’s go back down for a quick reconnaissance.\u00a0 We can come back up and search around some more, if we don’t see anything promising below the stairs.<\/em><\/p>\n

Made you wonder.\u00a0 Was this just the first big fiasco of many more to come?\u00a0 On August 4th, two days ago, Lupe had finally left home to start this grandest of all her Summer of 2018 Dingo Vacations.\u00a0 Six solid weeks of epic adventures ahead!\u00a0 Well, maybe.\u00a0 The plan was ultimately to take the new all season road to Tuktoyaktuk.\u00a0 The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was going all the way to the Arctic Ocean!\u00a0 Yet, even though this Dingo Vacation had launched 4 days late, SPHP hadn’t managed to get Lupe on the road until afternoon.<\/p>\n

Even then, SPHP had forgotten something.\u00a0 Coats!\u00a0 No joke.\u00a0 That was the sad state of preparation for this incredible journey.\u00a0 Loopster had been forced to return home so SPHP could retrieve coats.\u00a0 Seemed like a detail that shouldn’t have managed to slip by on a long anticipated trip to the Arctic.\u00a0 Lupe had finally hit the road for good at 2:09 PM (8-4-18, 86\u00b0F)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Since then, at least until now, things had gone well.\u00a0 The G6 had purred W on I-90 through Wyoming.\u00a0 By sundown on the 4th, Lupe was beyond Billings only a few miles S of Lavina, Montana.\u00a0 The next morning she’d enjoyed a scenic drive up the Musselshell River valley, revisited King’s Hill<\/span><\/a> (8,008 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the Little Belt Mountains, and stopped by for a drink out of Issac Walton Spring at Al Buck Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, are you coming with? Glad to hear it! Hope you remembered your<\/strong> coat! We’re going all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Tuktoyaktuk or bust!<\/em> Lupe at a quick stop along I-90 E of the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 8-4-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sundown from Hwy 3 S of Lavina, Montana 8-4-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Porphyry Peak<\/span><\/a> (8,192 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from King’s Hill<\/strong> in the Little Belt Mountains<\/strong>, MT 8-5-18. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
King’s Hill survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring a new off-road route down the W side of King’s Hill<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cooling off in Issac Walton Spring<\/strong> at Al Buck Memorial Park<\/strong> along Hwy 89 N of the Little Belt Mountains, Montana.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Belt Creek<\/strong> across Hwy 89 from Al Buck Memorial Park. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By mid-afternoon on the 5th, Lupe had breezed through customs into Canada.\u00a0 She made it to Banff in the Canadian Rockies in time for her traditional evening Pretty Puppy Parade up and down both sides of Banff Avenue.\u00a0 And as light faded from the sky, she’d strolled the path along the Bow River clear down to Bow River Falls and back.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Only 1.5 days into our Dingo Vacation, and here we are at Banff<\/strong> in the fabulous Canadian Rockies<\/strong> along the Bow River<\/strong>. That’s Cascade Mountain<\/span><\/a> (9,836)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) in the background!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Banff Avenue! This way to the Pretty Puppy Parade! It’s a tradition, you know.<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the Louis Trono Gazebo<\/strong> in Banff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Maybe there’s going to be a Mangy Moose Parade, too?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bow River Falls<\/strong> near the end of the day in Banff, 8-5-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This morning had started out well, too.\u00a0 Up at dawn, Lupe and SPHP had been treated to the super scenic drive W from Banff on Hwy 1, then N along Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 all the way to breakfast at the picnic ground along the E shore of Bow Lake.\u00a0 Along the N shore, the red roof of Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had been in view.<\/p>\n

Towering beyond both Bow Lake and the lodge was Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day – Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/span><\/a> (9,731 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Oh, yeah!\u00a0 The views were going to be stupendous from up there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> (Center) from the picnic ground on the E shore of Bow Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail, or route, or whatever it was to Mount Jimmy Simpson was an off-shoot from the trail to Bow Glacier Glacier Falls, and the trail to Bow Glacier Falls started from the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.\u00a0 That much was for absolute certain.\u00a0 Lupe had been all the way to the falls twice before.\u00a0 The trek to Bow Glacier Falls is one of the easiest, most scenic half-day hikes in the entire Canadian Rockies.<\/p>\n

So as soon as breakfast was over, SPHP had driven over to the trailhead parking lot by the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.\u00a0 (8:27 AM, 47\u00b0F)\u00a0 <\/em>Of course, the first thing to do, even before setting off on the trail, was to check out the view of Bow Lake, Crowfoot Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and the Crowfoot Glacier from the N shore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the N shore of Bow Lake<\/strong>. Bow Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,318 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L), Crowfoot Glacier<\/strong> (L) and Crowfoot Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Off to the SW, where she would soon be headed, Lupe could see the toe of the Bow Glacier and the upper half of Bow Glacier Falls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the shore of Bow Lake<\/strong> close to Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Lupe already had a distant view of the toe of the Bow Glacier<\/strong> and upper portion of Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bow Glacier<\/strong> and Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few people were out and about, but it was still relatively early.\u00a0 The views from Bow Lake were wonderful, but this was only the beginning!\u00a0 An incredible day full of amazing scenery was ahead.\u00a0 The Bow Glacier Falls trail would be busy before long.\u00a0 Still a chance to beat the rush, if the Carolina Dog got underway now!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> (Center) from the N shore of Bow Lake. The Bow Glacier Falls Trail heads off to the L (W) along the shoreline. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, the Bow Glacier Falls trail heads W along the N shore of Bow Lake.\u00a0 Loopster had been this way before, but it was still astonishing how beautiful Bow Lake was!\u00a0 Crowfoot Mountain soared dramatically from the opposite shore.\u00a0 As Lupe got farther along the lake, she could see more of the wilderness peaks to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bow Lake<\/strong> was an astonishingly beautiful blue! Crowfoot Mountain<\/strong> on the L. The spire seen far beyond Lupe at Center is St. Nicholas Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (9,639 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Olive<\/span><\/a> (10,256 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), St. Nicholas Peak<\/strong> (L of Center), Polaris Peak<\/span><\/a> (8,694 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center R). Bow Glacier<\/strong> and Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong> on the R. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately beyond Bow Lake, the trail went SSW along the edge of a delta built up by the Bow River.\u00a0 Looking back to the NE, Lupe could see Cirque Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,820 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which she had climbed in July, 2014.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cirque Peak<\/strong> (Center) from the delta created by the Bow River<\/strong> where it enters Bow Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For short stretches, the trail was forced a little up into the forest on the steep slope W of the closest channel of the Bow River, but most of the way Lupe was crossing an exposed floodplain covered with smallish rounded stones.\u00a0 The river was low this time of year.<\/p>\n

At one point, the Bow Glacier Falls Trail left the floodplain to climb over a little bump of a ridge before returning to the low ground.\u00a0 A higher forested ridge was now ahead past another long stretch of floodplain.\u00a0 At the far SSW end, a steep set of stairs started up this larger ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Bow Glacier Falls Trail<\/strong> follows the Bow River<\/strong> upstream. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
End of the super easy part! The stairs (Center) leading up the ridge are just ahead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe started up the stairs.\u00a0 To the L (SE), the Bow River gushed through a deep, narrow gorge.\u00a0 When the stairs ended, the trail continued a short, steep climb to the top of the ridge.\u00a0 Upon reaching the ridgeline, Lupe could see a tributary coming in from the S that joined the Bow River right before it entered the gorge.<\/p>\n

Snow-clad Mount Olive<\/span><\/a> (10,256 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view at the far end of the scenic canyon that this tributary came from.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is one of my favorite spots along the Bow Glacier Falls Trail! That snowy peak at the far end of the canyon is Mount Olive<\/strong>.<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From this same point, Bow Glacier Falls was in sight again off to the SW.\u00a0 It wasn’t that much farther away now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
There’s Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong> (Center) again! We’re getting close!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe knew from experience, the trail went on all the way to the falls.\u00a0 A most worthwhile trek, but that wasn’t the plan today.\u00a0 Loop was now on the same forested ridge she had explored a year ago looking for the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson.\u00a0 Back then, none of the little side trails in the forest had panned out.\u00a0 Her chance to conduct a more thorough search of this whole region had finally arrived.<\/p>\n

Just ahead, the Bow Glacier Falls Trail dipped into a low area next to a rocky ridge.\u00a0 The trail skirted this ridge to the S before continuing on to the falls.\u00a0 Before that, though, a side path headed off to the R (NW) into the gap between the forested and rocky ridges.\u00a0 Of course!\u00a0 That must be it!\u00a0 SPHP led Lupe into the opening.\u00a0 Two minutes later, the path ended.<\/p>\n

Ended at a small, flat clearing of cracked mud where green shoots sprouted up.<\/p>\n

Down?\u00a0 That’s crazy!\u00a0 Why would we go down, SPHP?\u00a0 We just got here!\u00a0 Only 2 seconds ago you were convinced the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was right around here, or only a little farther up closer to the falls.\u00a0 Why don’t we go that way?<\/em><\/p>\n

We will Loop, but first let’s eliminate the possibility that we’ve already missed the turn.\u00a0 Might be harder to find this trail to Jimmy Simpson than I thought.\u00a0 Keep in mind that last year on the way back from the falls to this point, I’d already spoken to the hiker that told us about it.\u00a0 We looked for the trail to Jimmy Simpson up there, and we didn’t see it, remember?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but the trail has got to be partway up that mountain to the W, doesn’t it?\u00a0 Which is higher, not lower!\u00a0 Let’s just go over to the mountain, and start climbing.\u00a0 We’ll find the way!\u00a0 I’ll sniff it out!
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, it’s up there somewhere, but that mountainside is a huge, steep area.\u00a0 Maybe you can run around easily enough on it, but I can’t.\u00a0 You know how slow I am!\u00a0 A lot of that territory might be completely impassable to me due to the jungle lower down, and cliffs higher up.\u00a0 We should at least scout out what looks like the best approach from down here in case we can’t find the trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

Can’t find it!\u00a0 We’ll come across it soon enough.\u00a0 Your magic map shows the route, doesn’t it?\u00a0 Why aren’t we following it to begin with?\u00a0 What does it say?\u00a0 How about we just follow the map instead of wasting time going back to where we’ve already been.<\/em><\/p>\n

The map says I should have printed out more map.\u00a0 It shows a GPS track, but I can’t tell exactly where until it’s way, way up there.\u00a0 So we need to find the trail down here, or at least figure out what looks like the best chance of success before doing anything drastic.<\/em><\/p>\n

A year to prepare, and you brought half a map?\u00a0 Oh, silly me!\u00a0 That’s right!\u00a0 I’m with someone who doesn’t think to bring a coat to the Arctic.\u00a0 OK, whatever you say, SPHP.\u00a0 Seems ridiculous, but if it makes you happy, let’s go back down and see whatever we should have been looking at on the way here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shouldn’t take long, Loop.\u00a0 Promise!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe hadn’t had much of a lead on the morning crowd about to swarm up to Bow Glacier Falls.\u00a0 While she headed back down the forested ridge to the stairway, groups of hikers were coming up.\u00a0 SPHP chatted briefly with anyone who seemed inclined to stop for a moment.\u00a0 Any chance they happened to know where the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was?<\/p>\n

It was a total, desperate, long shot, and SPHP knew it.\u00a0 Probably wasn’t one person in a hundred, maybe a thousand, who had any intention of going up Mount Jimmy Simpson.\u00a0 Everyone was heading to Bow Glacier Falls, the splendid, easy to reach attraction not that far away.<\/p>\n

Naturally, no one had a clue.\u00a0 Lupe was almost to the bottom of the stairs when one couple that was particularly friendly offered to compare the GPS route on SPHP’s paper map with the topo map on their phone.\u00a0 The verdict was inconclusive, but it looked like the GPS route left the trail somewhat farther up toward the falls, not down here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A fool’s errand, but I guess we gotta do this! Still mighty pretty along in here, even if we aren’t getting anywhere.<\/em> Lupe on her way back down the stairs. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP thanked the helpful couple, and they went on.<\/p>\n

No sense going any farther.\u00a0 What could be seen so far didn’t look right.\u00a0 Too much dense forest to the W for too far up.\u00a0 Not much of a chance the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was actually down here.\u00a0 Who knew for sure, though?\u00a0 Couldn’t be ruled out entirely, but this didn’t jive with what the hiker had said a year ago, nor what the friendly couple’s phone indicated, nor SPHP’s impression held for many months now based on what could be remembered of the complete map.<\/p>\n

Satisfied, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think so.<\/em><\/p>\n

Back up then?<\/em><\/p>\n

Uh, huh.\u00a0 Onward, sweet puppy!<\/em><\/p>\n

When Loop got back to the top of the forested ridge where she could see Bow Glacier Falls again, the friendly couple wasn’t far away.\u00a0 They were now down in the dip between the ridges chatting with another group of hikers.\u00a0 They had the trail blocked.\u00a0 After the conversation broke up, and the other hikers were already underway, Lupe and SPHP went over to talk to the couple again.<\/p>\n

They had news!\u00a0 Guess where that group of 5 hikers that had just left them was heading?\u00a0 Yes, that’s right – Mount Jimmy Simpson!\u00a0 A quick, sincere thank you, and Lupe was off!<\/p>\n

\u00a0After them, SPHP!\u00a0 Don’t let them get away!<\/em><\/p>\n

Luck of the Dingo!\u00a0 That’s what it was!\u00a0 The 5 hikers stayed on the main trail to Bow Glacier Falls much farther than SPHP expected.\u00a0 They were halfway to the falls before they left the trail angling WSW up a rock strewn slope toward a big forested ramp.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> (Center) from just past the rocky ridge (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hurry, SPHP! We can’t lose them!<\/em> Off-trail now, the 5 hikers head for a big forested ramp. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP wasn’t fast enough to gain on the hikers.\u00a0 They reached the base of the ramp and disappeared into the forest.\u00a0 No choice, but to try to keep after them.<\/p>\n

Perfectly obvious now why the Carolina Dog hadn’t seen where the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson left the Bow Glacier Falls Trail a year ago.\u00a0 No such discernible trail existed.\u00a0 This was simply an unmarked route up the stony slope.\u00a0 And it didn’t start from anywhere near that lower forested ridge.<\/p>\n

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Look how close we are to Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Luck of the Dingo held.\u00a0 When SPHP reached the forest at the base of the ramp, Lupe discovered that the 5 hikers hadn’t gone much farther.\u00a0 They’d paused for a break in a grassy spot among huge boulders.\u00a0 SPHP stopped to catch breath close enough to hear them talking.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bow Glacier Falls from close to the first rest stop at the base of the ramp. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hikers were already about rested up.\u00a0 Within minutes they pressed on heading NNE up the ramp.\u00a0 SPHP tried to follow, but immediately fell behind.\u00a0 A scramble up a short rocky slope led to a grassier, wider part of the ramp.\u00a0 Lupe did find a faint trail along in here.<\/p>\n

The grassy part of the ramp was moderately steep, but not too hard.\u00a0 It wasn’t long, though, before an obvious scar appeared on the really steep slope on the L (W).\u00a0 That scar was a badly eroded remnant of a trail.\u00a0 The hikers were still in sight, heading straight up this slope toward a stunted forest at the base of a cliff.<\/p>\n

Lupe could have kept up with those hikers so easily!\u00a0 Ever faithful, she instead hung back with SPHP, who kept having to pause to catch breath, and seemed doomed to lose them.\u00a0 Even while gasping for air, it was amazing how spectacular the views were already becoming!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop about to leave the first big ramp to follow the hikers up to the patch of forest (Center) at the base of the cliffs. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The first big ramp (Lower L) is down by the forest. Vulture Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,701 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Mount Olive<\/strong> (R of Center) and Polaris Peak<\/strong> (R above the falls). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hikers disappeared from sight again well before SPHP reached the base of the cliff.\u00a0 Lupe continued steeply higher, following a bit of a trail N right alongside the cliff wall.\u00a0 To SPHP’s relief, the hikers had paused a second time.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP caught up.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog’s tour guides left again almost immediately, still heading N along walls of rock.<\/p>\n

SPHP took another breather.\u00a0 Lupe now had a great view of Bow Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bow Lake<\/strong> with Cirque Peak<\/strong> (Center) beyond it. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was off again, chasing after those 5 hikers!\u00a0 Lupe traversed many narrow ledges.\u00a0 Every now and then, there were nearly vertical short climbs higher.\u00a0 Some places there were stunted conifers, other places were out in the dizzying, airy open.\u00a0 Often there was a visible trail, but not always.\u00a0 Sometimes the “trail” was braided, offering more than one possible route.<\/p>\n

For a while, SPHP did a better job of staying caught up.\u00a0 Eventually, though, the hikers began to pull away.\u00a0 More and more often, they were lost from view.\u00a0 Each time the Carolina Dog rounded a minor corner, she saw them again, but farther and farther away.<\/p>\n

The views became ever more impressive.\u00a0 SPHP often clung to the rock walls next to the narrow ledges.\u00a0 Finally, two errors were committed – steep climbs that led to dead ends.\u00a0 Careful retreats consumed precious minutes.\u00a0 Lupe continued on, but the hikers were gone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cirque Peak<\/strong> (L) and Dolomite Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,383 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (the spiky one on the R) beyond Bow Lake<\/strong>. Crowfoot Mountain<\/strong> (R) in the foreground. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back again. Crowfoot Mountain<\/strong> (L), Vulture Peak<\/strong> (Center), Mount Olive<\/strong> (R), Polaris Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Coming up the narrow ledges. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Happily, before going too much farther, the ledges finally broadened out.\u00a0 The terrain became far less steep and nerve-wracking.\u00a0 Lupe ought to be able to get to Mount Jimmy Simpson on her own now!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, happy day! The ledges are widening out and there’s Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> (Center) dead ahead!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP were making much faster progress again.\u00a0 A question soon arose as to whether or not to climb up onto a considerably higher big ramp to the W.\u00a0 A little movement caught the eye.\u00a0 Two of the hikers were in view!\u00a0 Far away, but on the same ramp Lupe was on.\u00a0 No need to go higher.<\/p>\n

This was easy terrain, almost level.\u00a0 Lupe was gaining on them now!\u00a0 Soon all 5 were in sight climbing a slope leading to another wide ramp.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Catching up! The route goes up the slope directly beyond Lupe only far enough to be able to turn R (N) along the top of the closest rock wall on the R. The 5 hikers are mere specks just to the L of the slope beyond Loop. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper followed them.\u00a0 As she reached the top of this final ramp, all 5 hikers were once again in view, but still with a big lead.\u00a0 One by one, they disappeared over a bouldery ridge at the far end of the ramp.<\/p>\n

Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Doing great! The 5 hikers are still in sight as specks at the very center of this photo. They’ll soon disappear over the gray ridge. Clearly, the goal now is to get to the upper saddle (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe crested the bouldery ridge 7 minutes later.\u00a0 A down climb amid huge boulders was directly ahead.\u00a0 At the bottom, a long snowfield led NW most of the way up a giant cirque.\u00a0 The 5 hikers were just now reaching the snow, about to start up again.<\/p>\n

As soon as SPHP managed to get down there, Lupe was in pursuit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the base of the snowfield in the giant cirque. Her tour guides are leading the way higher. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The huge cirque became progressively steeper.\u00a0 Beyond the upper limit of the snowfield, it was worse yet.\u00a0 Most of the terrain consisted of small to medium-sized scree.\u00a0 The loose scree was increasingly unstable.\u00a0 A partially exposed band of bedrock formed the critical juncture.\u00a0 Get above that upper rim, and the American Dingo would have it made!<\/p>\n

This was not a trivial task.\u00a0 Lupe had almost caught up to the 5 hikers.\u00a0 Their group consisted of 3 women and 2 men, all young and strong, but even they were having to be careful and take their time.\u00a0 SPHP favored going almost straight up the middle of the cirque, but Lupe’s guides headed toward the firmer exposed rock formations on the R (N).\u00a0 Stones came clattering down, but both men and one of the women made it up without too much trouble.<\/p>\n

The other 2 women were having a slower time of it.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP caught up to them, and even got ahead for a little way.\u00a0 It was the first real opportunity for interaction, and sort of broke the ice a bit.\u00a0 After some anxious moments clinging to whatever nub of firm rock presented itself as scree showered down the treacherous slope, everyone made it safely past the dicey part.<\/p>\n

The worst was over!\u00a0 Yet another steep slope led directly to the big upper saddle, but this was nothing compared to what Loopster had just been through.\u00a0 The unseen summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson was somewhere to the N, still 900 feet higher, but nothing but a long, steady trudge up a barren, obstacle-free slope remained.\u00a0 Lupe was in a world of rock, sky, and fabulous views of snow-clad peaks, ice fields and glaciers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back from above the upper rim of the giant cirque. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It would have been easy to go straight on up to the huge upper saddle, but Lupe’s guides took a more efficient route, bypassing it more directly to the N.\u00a0 SPHP couldn’t keep up, and fell behind again.\u00a0 All 5 hikers were pulling away.\u00a0 Hardly mattered now, anyway.\u00a0 Lupe was going to make it!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back toward the upper saddle. Lupe never actually went to it, coming up from the L (SE). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The summit (R) comes into view. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The final stretch. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/span><\/a> (9,731 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> 10 or 15 minutes after the 5 hikers.\u00a0 They were all hanging out near the summit cairn, or over by the tremendous view of Bow Lake.\u00a0 SPHP made certain to praise Looper for making it all the way up this mighty peak, shaking her paw and congratulating her with great enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong>. Mount Patterson<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (10,469 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with snow on the L. Mistaya River valley<\/strong> (R). A smidgen of Peyto Lake<\/strong> is in view. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone else seemed pleased by that, and offered the Carolina Dog praise, too.\u00a0 Introductions were made, and SPHP got to chatting with Lupe’s benefactors.\u00a0 All 5 were from Calgary.\u00a0 Apparently they were in the habit of exploring the Canadian Rockies together fairly frequently, although whether they were were all members of some sort of alpine club, or simply good friends, was never clear.<\/p>\n

After pleasantries were exchanged, Lupe and SPHP devoted attention to the fabulous views good fortune had made it possible to enjoy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cauldron Lake<\/strong> (L), Mistaya Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,154 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), and the Delta Glacier<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peyto Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peyto Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,744 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Cauldron Lake<\/strong> (Center) and Mistaya Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong>. Patterson Peak<\/strong> on the L. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bow Lake<\/strong> from Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> summit. Mount Hector<\/span><\/a> (11,135 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peyto Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The closest peaks beyond Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 are Cirque Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,820 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Dolomite Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,383 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (jagged on the R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mistaya River valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peyto Peak<\/strong> (L), Cauldron Lake<\/strong> (Center), Mistaya Mountain<\/strong> (Center), and the Delta Glacier<\/strong> (R) again. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, Lupe relaxed near the summit cairn.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taking it easy on Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Hector on the R. Mighty thoughtful of the Canadians to provide such a colorful array of backpacks! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down at the upper saddle. Mount Thompson<\/span><\/a> (10,135 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). The Bow Glacier<\/strong> and lake above Bow Glacier Falls are on the L. Peyto Glacier<\/strong> on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Balfour<\/span><\/a> (10,774 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L), Mount Olive<\/span><\/a> (10,256 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), St. Nicholas Peak<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (9,639 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> (dark prong at Center), Mount Gordon<\/span><\/a> (10,371 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Bow Glacier<\/strong> also on the R. Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong> (Lower L). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bow Lake<\/strong> from Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe got to spend over 40 minutes up on Mount Jimmy Simpson.\u00a0 She rested up, saw incredible sights, and made 5 new friends.\u00a0 Before departing, her Canadian benefactors were all quite willing to pose with the American Dingo.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> with (L to R): Cayla<\/strong>, Fletcher<\/strong>, Betty<\/strong>, Sarah<\/strong> & Jon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was sad to see them go.\u00a0 Sad, because her new friends were all leaving her behind.\u00a0 And sad, because it meant Lupe was going to have to leave the splendor of Mount Jimmy Simpson, too.\u00a0 SPHP thought it best to try to stay close to the Canadians during the tricky route along the narrow ledges.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s new friends start back down toward the upper saddle. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Canadians approach the upper lip of the giant cirque. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP is even slower going down steep stuff than going up.\u00a0 So the return trip was similar to Lupe’s ascent.\u00a0 SPHP always trying not to fall too far behind.\u00a0 Lupe caught up to the Canadians once as they were deciding which way to descend into the giant cirque, and again when they took a short break on the wide ramps.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the wide ramps below the giant cirque. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After that, though, the Canadians were simply faster.\u00a0 They came into view now and then, but always farther ahead than before.\u00a0 They took a lower descent path this time avoiding some of the more treacherous, narrowest ledges.\u00a0 SPHP wound up too low, stuck thrashing around in the forest for a little way.<\/p>\n

From the top of the morning’s first steep ascent where the scar of a trail was, Lupe saw the Canadians for the last time.\u00a0 They were already down on the first big ramp, still moving fast.<\/p>\n

The way back was well known from here.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP slowed down.\u00a0 May as well enjoy this beautiful evening in the Canadian Rockies.\u00a0 Lupe’s Calgary guides were gone.\u00a0 The crowds who had come to see Bow Glacier Falls were long gone, too.\u00a0 Solitude, splendid scenery on an enormous scale, and an easy trek back to Bow Lake to look forward to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearing Bow Glacier Falls<\/strong> on the way down the first ramp. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Out on the rocky slope looking back up at Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong> and the first big ramp. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the forested ridge on the way back to the stairs and Bow Lake. Cirque Peak<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a glorious day Mount Jimmy Simpson had been!\u00a0 By all rights, it should have been a complete flop.\u00a0 Not likely Lupe and SPHP would ever have found the way up Mount Jimmy Simpson, if those 5 Canadians from Calgary hadn’t come along right when they did.<\/p>\n

Luck of the Dingo!\u00a0 If it kept holding like it did today, the next 6 weeks were going to be fantastic!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cayla<\/strong>, Fletcher<\/strong>, Betty<\/strong>, Sarah<\/strong>, Jon<\/strong> & Lupe<\/strong> on Mount Jimmy Simpson<\/strong>, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada 8-6-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Bow Lake & the Trail to Bow Glacier Falls, Banff National Park, Canada (7-25-13)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cirque Peak, Banff National Park, Canada (7-27-14)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Bow Glacier Falls, Banff National Park, Canada (8-2-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! Lupe stood out on the flat, cracked mud of a small clearing.\u00a0 Bright green shoots were poking up around the edges.\u00a0 Bushes or stunted deep green conifers surrounded most of the area.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog gazed up at SPHP with a … Continue reading Mount Jimmy Simpson, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (8-6-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[997],"tags":[105,32,74,73,31,106,26,104,1059,11],"class_list":["post-19841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-banff-national-park","tag-bow-glacier-falls","tag-bow-lake","tag-canadian-rockies","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-mount-jimmy-simpson","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0264.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19841"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21047,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19841\/revisions\/21047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}