Lake
Agnes and Big Beehive
January 3, 2004
Mountain height: 2,270 m
Elevation gain: 540 m
Ascent time: 2:35
Descent time: 1:45
Hiking and
snowshoeing with Mark.
When the predicted high temperature for the day is minus
29 degrees Celsius, the primary objective of any hike becomes returning with
all 20 of your digits intact. At the risk of sounding like a TV commercial,
“Hats off to the designers of the Baffin Technology boots” (rated to minus 100
degrees Celsius). If you are into low temperature, winter trips, get to MEC
(Mountain Equipment Co-op) and pick up a pair – the best $125 I’ve spent all
year!
The hike to Agnes Lake
and the surrounding area makes for a great winter excursion, but beware – last
year a person lost his life when he was caught in an avalanche around the lake.
If you don’t know how to assess avalanche danger and have no training in
avalanche rescue, I strongly suggest you avoid this area.
Although snow
covered, the Lake
Agnes hiking trail was
packed down and presented no problems. At the lake, snowy Mounts Whyte and
Niblock were particularly impressive. Of course the lake was frozen and covered
in snow, allowing us to shortcut across it to get to the Big Beehive ascent
trail. The ascent slope was fairly steep and the snow was very deep. The frost
covered trees at the top, with the sun on them were very eye-catching.
The snow on the
ridge was even deeper and required the use of snowshoes. The ridge rises to a high point and then drops
a little to a sheltered viewpoint. The views of Mounts Whyte, Niblock and
Lefroy were fantastic throughout.
Unfortunately, I was a little under-the–weather and so we chose to forgo
the loop route that goes to the Plain of Six Glaciers and then back along the Lake Louise shoreline (at least it gives us the excuse to
go back and do it again!). Throughout, the stunning winter scenery and frost
covered trees were highlights of the trip. Overall, a fantastic winter trip and
we both returned with all 20 digits each!
Heading up steep slopes towards Big Beehive
Mount Lefroy looks so impressive from up here
Scenic trek up to Beehive
One of the more open areas by Big Beehive. There are many trees blocking the views
Love the frost coated trees
Mounts Whyte (left) and Niblock, as see from Big Beehive
Big Beehive, as seen on descent