Bow Peak

Bow Peak is a relatively easy summit that yields great views of the Icefields Parkway and distant views of faraway peaks on a clear day. Despite the rewards, it is not a popular trail likely due to the difficulty finding the start and river crossing early into the hike.

Park on a gravel pullout 0.9km southeast of the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint along the highway. We approached from the southeast so we drove to the view point and doubled back 0.9km. The gravel pullout is difficult to see from the opposite side of the highway so it's probably safer to double back, than to back up traffic while searching for it.

After parking you'll have to continue down the highway on foot. You'll pass a culvert after approximately 230 paces. You should hear the running water as you approach and see a small stream on the opposite side of the road. After another 115 paces you should arrive at the trailhead. The "Don't waste your time in the Canadian Rockies" guidebook said the culvert would be passed after 230 paces and the trailhead would found after another 140 paces so keep your eyes open as not everyone's stride is the same length, obviously.

The trailhead along the highway was marked with a small 3 stone cairn just off the shoulder and a hubcap tied to a foot tall tree just a few feet in. The trail starts very faint and cuts back and forth a little as you descend off the highway but you should emerge from the brush fairly quickly to a much more open and clear trail. From here it should only be about 10 minutes to Bow River outlet from Bow Lake.

There is no bridge across the river so you'll have to wade across. I've read various guides saying the water could be as low as ankle deep but this hasn't been a dry year and the water was just over knee deep for someone about 5'10. The river is deepest and the current is strongest on the far side. Stay as close as you can to the lake while crossing as that's where the river is widest and shallowest and the current the weakest. For us the river was higher and faster on the return so if you feel uncomfortable crossing during the ascent you may want to turn back and do the equally amazing summit trail for Helen Lakes and Cirque Peak just across the highway. Knee high water in the morning, was mid-thigh high water in the afternoon.

Once you've made it across the river you probably won't run into many other groups. Be sure to make noise though as the trail follows the river and we saw plenty of bear activity from fresh prints in the mud to fresh scat on the trail.

After crossing the Bow River the trail will follow a more or less parallel path to the river as it drops away. There will be a couple creek crossing that you'll either have to rock hop or balance on fallen logs. After a couple kilometers the trail will start a steady climb towards Crowfoot Pass. The trail is not maintained so be prepared to deal with plenty of dead fall across the path. You should be able to step over most but you'll probably have to duck under some.

Take a quick break at Crowfoot Pass to tighten your boots and survey the ascent root. You'll want to start by following the slight ridge on the left and then pick your way back to the right as you ascend the talus slopes. I aimed for breaks in the talus.

You should find yourself on the summit ridge in under an hour with the true summit, marked by a large cairn, visible a short ways off. It's a cake walk from there. As you traverse the ridge towards the summit make note of a couple scree filled chutes. They make for great quick descent routes even though the scree isn't the best. Enjoy a nice lunch at the summit cairn. We had virtually no wind at the summit even though the ridge was windy.

For the descent retrace your steps to the scree chutes and head down. The chutes have a lot of mixed rock so be mindful of dislodging rocks on people below. It's steep enough and some rocks are the right size to travel a long ways. One person in our party took a rock in the elbow from a hiker several hundred feet up.

Once back to Crowfoot Pass retrace your steps back to the car. The return should go much quicker.

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