Access to the Ghost Ice Climbing

[Asia]

Does anyone know how far you can go down the Bar C/Trans Alta access road?  In the past you could go all the way to the end where there are two valleys that have alot of ice climbs.  Is this still the case?  Are the ice climbers still able to access their climbs by driving all the way to the base of them?  I'm going to do a trip to explore and do some ice bouldering/climbing in this area.  Anyone who wants to explore the area ( and do some easy climbing if so inclined, but not necessary) is welcome, always better to go in a group :wink:

[SwampSinger]

Does anyone know how far you can go down the Bar C/Trans Alta access road?  In the past you could go all the way to the end where there are two valleys that have alot of ice climbs.  Is this still the case?  Are the ice climbers still able to access their climbs by driving all the way to the base of them?  I'm going to do a trip to explore and do some ice bouldering/climbing in this area.  Anyone who wants to explore the area ( and do some easy climbing if so inclined, but not necessary) is welcome, always better to go in a group :wink:

Tom.. when you get to the bottom of the Last hill that brings you in the Valley you can go right towards "the good the Bad and the Ugly ice falls" or to the Left towards the ghost lakes. I remember the trans Alta road being very icy. There is Ice climing on both sides.

Towards Ghost lakes (SW direction...left ) (this is not a wheeling area!!!... ): We used to be able to drive right to the limit of Banf Park (I don't think you can anymore) We used to drive in the rocks of the river bed. The trail in the river bed  is not that visible and there are spot were the snow is deep (snow drifts)....from the Pakr Limit (whre you leave your Jeep and start hicking) there is a trail that links the 3 ghost lakes. If you want you can reach the back of Maniwaunka Lake (wrong spelling). There are trails to ice falls on both sides of the valley. The side trails are not that visible in the winter ...they are more diffcilt to see if it just snowed. Your in a valley it's kind of tough to get lost but I've did look for an ice climber all day once because he was not paying attention and he lost his buddy on the way back from climbing :roll: . Also... there is high cougar activity in that valley... anyway there was 2 years ago. I've seen prints between the 2nd and 3rd lakes. Also at another time I was walsking solo with my buddy's 155 lbs Roth and the dog freaked out. It would not leave my side. The same day on my way back I crossed another hicker and he had the same experience with his dog that day. He said there was a Puma in the area checking him out  :shock: . BIG 200+ lbs cats ...Scary shyt  :shock:   Its' a Nat. Park.. you can't bring a riffle... but I alsway have my big knife with me. You never know it might help.

back to trails...

Towards Johnson Lake (right at the bottom of the big hill) : You can follow the "trail/road" to the first bridge... I think we are not allowed to drive pass the bridge anymore. The road continue to the Big ice Fall (about 2km) TGTBTU. It's beautifull to see... but the ice is briddle on that fall. I'm no ice climber but i've crossed a few there and that's what they were saying. I got stuck in a snow drift on that side for 3.5 hours... the snow sometime deeper that it looks. :roll:

i would like to go there again.... to do a bit of snow shoeing...

Let me know when you are thinking of going. I would love to go check out the Ghost lakes again...
PS: I can't this week end.. maybe next? I'm also off the from the 16th to the 25th....if you get a day off during the week. I would be game.

Cheers,

[Asia]

Dom, thanks for the info.  In the past I have driven up to and camped with my son at the border of Banff Park and hiked into the second Ghost lake.  The first Ghost lake is a dry lake with alot of sand - very interesting.  The mountain walls of the "notch" that you pass through are vertical and there is alot of Native history in this area.

Going north I have driven past the bridge, followed the river, camped, crossed the river a few times and kept driving until I ended up on a quad trail that was too narrow for the YJ.  

These trips were all done in summer, never saw any Cougar activity thankfully.  Haven't been there in the winter.  If you bring your snow shoes I'll bring my cross country skis.  I could definitely go on Feb. 16th or 23rd (dates edited).

[Spinalguy]

We are no longer allowed to cross the river. This is why the iceclimbers are fumed. Crossing an unfrozen mountain river on feet sucks!

The "NEW" Don Getty map shows that the river becomes part of the 'park'. Interesting that a proposal for a golf resort in the South Ghost is promising a green light.   :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  :evil:

[Hi Lo Silver]

Asia, actually the first lake depends on the diversion of the waterat the bridge or diversion dam up stream.. Either south and east down the dry arm section of the North Ghost to come up again further down stream or towards Lake Minniwanka for power suppy.

I've seen the first lake go from sand, to knee deep, to not sure how deep but the stumps were all under water. This all in the matter of 3 weekends in a row in the spring. The last channel before Lake Minniwanka from dry to 15' deep in that same time frame.


Spinalguy, can you point me towards this new golf course information you have. This action would be the typical PC government at work again just like it has been for years. What do you think started the entire K country crap. Golf courses, hotels, ski hills, ect.

[Spinalguy]

Hey Gun,
i will try to find it. i heard it in coversations, i will look for the print. Rumor had it that it was going to be part of that Horse RV park on the entire south side of Trans Alta Rd.
Tom