Kayaking Bow Lake

Scenery:
Beautiful high mountain lakes.

Paddling conditions:
Lake and some river paddling

Difficulty:
Intermediate, some winds may be on lake

The crisp autumn morning was just beginning to warm as we launched our kayaks from a sandy beach onto the emerald-green waters of Bow Lake. As we paddled away, the bow of our kayaks cleaved the mirror image of mountains, sky, and glaciers in two equal parts.

The sandy shoreline was punctuated by many tracks of creatures that had visited before us, from geese, to fox, and even a moose. Each set of tracks told a story in the sand, of a bird or animal that had passed this way. We were only thirty-some kilometers away from the crowds of Lake Louise, yet felt we were in our own private paradise.

As the sun warmed the valley, we paddled around the lake, enjoying the varying colours of green in the glacial water. The lack of wind on the lake added to the sense of quiet beauty. I could think of no better place to be part of this tranquility than in our kayaks!

We continued along the south shoreline, and stopped for lunch in a small sandy cove at the southwest end of the lake. Kayak travel allows paddlers to carry a few more luxuries than hikers, and we pulled out a tablecloth, appetizer of cheese and crackers, with a thermos of hearty chili for a main course. After lunch, we sat on a carpet of green moss, punctuated with tufts of red and yellow willow and enjoyed the feeling of sun warming our backs as we sipped hot chocolate.

Back in our kayaks, we discovered a channel leading to a narrow bay, just deep enough to paddle. We continued, the current tugging at our paddles as our curiosity led us to explore this channel. I looked down and watched green tendrils of plants waving in the current, and the undulating shadow of our kayaks on the rippled sand beneath us. A feather from a goose that had visited the area floated past.

After a short carry to avoid a stretch of rocky stream, we entered a small lake that led us close to the Crowfoot Glacier. We were excited to discover this part of Bow Lake that we had seen from across the valley, but was rarely visited by people.

We paddled closer and closer to the Crowfoot Glacier, then beached our kayaks near a lively stream, hoping it might lead to the base of the Glacier. After donning running shoes over our neoprene kayaking socks, we began hiking along the border of the stream. After twenty minutes of hiking, we found ourselves in an open area criss-crossed with a braided network of small streams. Now the terrain became steeper, and we climbed up a rocky, windswept moraine. As we climbed higher and higher, we appreciated the tenacity of the plants growing in this rocky area.

From the top of the moraine we felt we could almost reach out and touch the Crowfoot glacier. Now we could see deep blue crevasses and hear the rush of water where rivulets tumbled downhill from the base of the glacier. Looking in the opposite direction, we were treated to an astonishing view of the valley and Dolomite Peaks. Farther down the valley, we could see the afternoon light shining on Bow Lake. We basked in the view and the last rays of sunlight, and then began our descent.

The autumn afternoon temperature had dropped considerably by the time we reached our kayaks. We retraced our route, hauling our kayaks up the rocky creek connecting the lakes, frogs jumping from the reeds as we sloshed up the waterway. We finished our journey by paddling back up the chain of lakes, marveling at the reflection of the Crowfoot Glacier on the quiet, emerald water.

By the time we arrived back at our put-in point on the main lake, we felt we had lived quite an adventure … kayaking hidden waters and hiking to the top of a glacial moraine where few people had been!

How to get there:

From Calgary, take Highway 1 to Lake Louise, then follow Highway 93 North. Drive 34 kilometers north to the Bow Lake picnic area.

Maps:

The Bow Lake and Saskatchewan Crossing map published by Gem Trek Publishing will indicate points of interest along the way.

Books:

For more information about hikes and side-trips in the Rockies, the Canadian Rockies will give you detailed information.

Tips:

Be aware that the wind can become very strong on this lake, and can come up quickly in late afternoon. A spray skirt and warm clothing are good to have for mountain lakes.

If you would like to treat yourself to an after-paddle snack or meal, the Num-Ti-Jah lodge offers great coffee and desserts, or full-course meals in a rustic setting.

The lower Bow Lakes are rarely visited by people … enjoy the feeling of discovering this area!

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