It would be virtually impossible to lose the trail with the advantage of descending the ridge toward Aster Lake. Northover Ridge begins with a step over an easy crux. The trail was pretty much directly across from the lake. Travel advice, stories, and inspiration! Stunning! Enjoy the relative level-terrain as you hike in the shadow of Mount Northover, soon enough you will have to climb straight up a scree-slope to the ridge. Another picturesque waterfall will come into view and shortly after, you will re-enter the forest for most of the way to the parking lot. You mention that The Copelands suggest this way too, is this a book or a website or…? The trail to the ridge is very steep which was not too welcome given our long detour but at least, at 4 pm, we were finally embarking on the right trail. Once you gain enough altitude you’ll clear the forest and come across a bit of a scrambly section. Clear skies and no snow on the trail. 10/10 an unreal, beautiful hike with the most gorgeous ridge walk, beautiful mountain ranges, waterfalls, wild flowers, lakes, and glaciers. Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies. There’s only one thing we can’t figure out: do we need a special permit to enter this part of the park? Really loved staying at the tarns (wasn’t busy, there were only three other tents there) as it was stunning at sunset and sunrise. The views on the ridge are some of the most outstanding that I've seen. The Northover Projector—which was officially labelled the "Projector, 2.5 inch" by the War Office - was formed of a hollow metal tube, resembling a drain pipe, mounted on top of a cast-iron tripod. Mount King George dominates the western horizon. W1893 Semke Road Coon Valley, WI 54623 608.452.3220 info@nrcwi.com The Trail climbs quickly with numerous cairns marking the way before turning to the right behind Mount Northover. Did this as a day hike today, Sep 21, in 9h21m moving time. At this low point (low being relative, I mean any day in the mountains beats one in the office), we considered aiming back to Aster Lake for the night and hiking back to our car the way we came to avoid another long slog over steep and challenging mountain terrain. If you hike the clockwise loop, your campground for the first night would be Aster Lake and Three Island Lake for the second. Tag: Northover Projector Instant Arsenal – Six Bizarre Impromptu Weapons of Britain’s WW2 Home Guard by MilitaryHistoryNow.com • 13 April, 2015 • 6 Comments Less steep even though route finding may be more difficult. Northover projector → Northover Projector — All WP:Reliable Sources that I can find, which include Mackenzie, Bishop and Lowry, have the second word capitalized as 'Projector' and not 'projector' This should be uncontroversial, but the intended name with the capitalization is a redirect, and I don't know how to move over a redirect. The Copelands wrote a guide book, “Where the locals hike in the Canadian Rockies” Northover ridge is in the Kananaskis version. It is difficult to see as you’re walking right alongside it, but when you turn back, it is very clearly a cornice that could give way if you step on it. Where the meadow empties onto a creekbed, hike straight across and ignore the continued draw to the left. For those interested in a two- to three-day backpacking loop with jaw-dropping views and a strenuous semi-technical ridge walk without any needed technical gear, Northover Ridge is the trip you’ve Follow Kananaskis Lakes Trail until the Upper Kananaskis Day Use Area. The trail begins on the Upper Kananaskis Lake trail. To access the North Ridge, cross Coleman Glacier laterally until at the base of the ridge. This is probably the least inspiring portion of the trek but pleasant nonetheless. You scramble for parts, very steep incline and decline. Not as dangerous as described but be careful. Sliding Down to Northover Tarns. The stake also marks the point where you could leave your pack and hike up to the summit. Gaining the ridge is worth the effort. This is perhaps why the Copelands recommend hiking Northover Ridge the other way. While the ridge provides some of the most expansive and rewarding views in all of the Alberta Rockies, it is not without its drawbacks. Northover Ridge may have to wait, and spending another night at Aster Lake was a pretty amazing consolation prize in our eyes. So while I would be thrilled to come back to the area, I could see myself only hiking up to the ridge to look around but not traversing it. We knew which direction to go in, but could not find a route. That said there are often cancellations so the best thing that you can do is to keep checking. I would recommend going clockwise just because of the waterfall crossing; when coming clockwise, you can see exactly where you need to go, but when going the other way, you cannot. Nicely nestled in by Three Isle Lake and about 12km from Aster Lake over Northover Ridge. Simply hiking to the lake could be a worthy day trip on its own if you want to beat the crowds at Kananaskis Lakes but don’t necessarily want to commit to the ridgewalk. Had the trail to myself until around the last lake and then just a few backpackers. Came across two grizzlies high above the tree line, on the pass after Aster Lake, just before Northover Ridge. The weapon consisted of a hollow metal tube attached to a tripod, with a rudimentary breech at one end. Appreciating its majestic mountain views will help you transcend the assault on your olfactory senses. Follow the trail to Forks Campground, beginning in the forest before quickly opening up to a steep, knee-jarring descent along a rocky slope. The route to Northover Ridge traverses below the southwest face of Mount Northover before climbing to the col at far left. After trekking through the scree you’ll re-enter the forest and descend to Foch Lake and a nearby ranger station. With the false confidence of a defined path and cairns pointing the way, we continued on over difficult, slabby terrain for more than 3 hours in the wrong direction. Forks Campground: A backup option if Three Isle Lake is booked up, at 4km further it would make for a long, but doable day two. The scenery was beautiful on both sides, and the exposure in parts was pretty exciting. We woke up to a foot of snow and made the call to turn around due to high winds and the storm clouds continuously rolling in- we figured it would be even worse up on Northover Ridge. We were eager to get down so exploring the lakes will have to wait until another day! I imagine the rock would be slippery when wet and I recommend crossing the ridge in dry weather only. Did it in 2 days of 8ish hours a day hiking , took a couple short breaks each day. While I do enjoy high Rocky Mountain Views, exposed ridges like this seriously harsh my backcountry zen. As for the other campgrounds, yeah I hear you. First of all, a taster of what lies ahead: We’d all been talking about running Northover Ridge for a while. Browse our products below or search by solution. All of the campgrounds in this part of Kananaskis Country require a camping permit. Again, this is prime bear habitat so make lots of noise and carry bear spray. Hiking Northover Ridge (narrow section) in less than ideal conditions. Rating: 5 of 5 Difficulty: Hard Length: ~33Km Elevation gain: ~1100m . Amazing views. We also had the campground to ourselves. We knew the remaining day ahead of us would difficult, but not insurmountable considering how long Alberta summer days are, so we decided to give it a try. These can be purchased online through Alberta Parks. The ridge walk was very nice. Many folks were … Don't have a Ridge Top Account? Take the second from the right. The ice block built up in time over a couple of day melting/night freezing cycles. We chose to park one car at North inter lakes and start there (as the all trails map suggests) and then parked another car at upper kan day use area and hiked around the other side of the lake. The Copelands recommend beginning at Interlake which makes the trail steeper in the beginning but would likely make the route finding easier. Aster Lake Campground: A 12km hike from Upper Kananaskis Lake. Skinny87 20:52, 11 September 2009 (UTC) As long as you’re on the British Columbia side (which the tarns are) you do not need a permit. You’re in for some excitement, to say the least, to get to your roost for the night. So do we need to buy a seperate pass somewhere just for this trekking? Amazing. Thanks for the reply, tomorrow is finally the day we can make the booking in advance for our dates, so fingers crossed! As Smiler and I sat there being sorted into our harnesses by When-I-Lived-in-NZ, the G-Force nimbly climbed to a high point and made an anchor. The trip to three isle was super straight forward, impossible to get lost. There are some excellent pictures of the Northover Ridge trip onBennett Wong’s site. We were definitely sore by the end of it but honestly the experience was quite fun and views incredible! The right cairns! We went Aster and then Three Isle and were glad we picked the route we did as it made for a nice cruise home on the final day, a much needed break following the trek up to aster and the ridge that followed. Went off trail near Astor Lake like everyone else but with the help of this app was able to double back fairly quickly. After Aster Lake, you’ll enter a vast gravel/river bed. So we’re not the first to make a mistake on this trail even that day, but we were the only ones so foolhardy as to leave Aster Lake as late as 11:00 am. From here ascend the snow slopes to the left of the ridge (crevasse crossings). This portion is steep but the views that begin to open up make it worthwhile. We lucked out and had most of the ridge to ourselves. I recommend bringing a battery pack to charge your phone so that you can use all trails when needed. Luckily for us, the girls we banded up with after the bear sighting gave us a lift back to our car so we avoided the slog along the road. Once over the seemingly never-ending steep and at times treacherous ridge, a steep descent down the scree will lead to the right toward a meadow. Once you reach Hidden Lake hike, take a few moments to enjoy the view of the tranquil water flanked by towering peaks. We lost the trail for about twenty minutes after Aster Lake. Northover Ridge Route . We also offer custom services that include training and software development. We are really scared to miss out, since we already experienced this with the campings at Maligne Lake. There are a few campsites spread out amongst the grass and along the river, and they are typically marked with a square pad lined with logs. Get lost in this picturesque wilderness experience and hopefully thanks to this post, not lost on the trail! We will probably do the trail the other way around, so we can hopefully avoid the difficult routefinding part where you got lost. This is a beautiful loop that is usually taken counterclockwise and not in a figure eight. Baker. In one part, the glacier was separated from the north side of the ridge by about 4 feet, making for what looked like a never-ending crevasse. After 10 miles of climbing (about 4,000 ft gain) you will reach the top of Northover Ridge, a several kilometer stretch of ridge line that straddles BC and Alberta. After 4km of steep descent, you will arrive at Forks Campground which makes an excellent place to stop for a snack or lunch before filling up your water and heading the rest of the way out. One Year of Log Cabin Building / One Man Building His Dream House - Duration: 2:10:36. A couple minute walk further along the trail will reveal the straight-out-of-Lord-of-the-Rings Aster Lake. The amazing Northover Ridge. Selected Climbs in the Cascades recommends leaving the Quien Sabe Glacier at it's western edge (elevation 7,500 feet). We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Description To do this hike in its most common form start at the Interlakes parking lot by Upper Kananaskis Lake. I looked a little down the path and sure enough, only 50 or so metres away, a young male grizzly was nibbling on some berries right on the trail. Northover Ridge on the WLH book is stated as 33.7km, 1180m gain. From here you hike along a river creek and through a picturesque valley for about 1.5km. Instead, they had to walk all the way back to their car at Upper Kananaskis Lake. Our trip description will be for the clockwise route starting at Upper Kananaskis Lake and finishing at Interlake but you can do the trip either way depending on your preference or campground availability. I'll admit, we began the day with ambitious plans: to complete a two-day, 34-kilometre circuit of Northover Ridge in Kananaskis Country, in just one. It cuts into the BC backcountry and over the incredibly scenic Northover Ridge. The first thing you’ll see when you reach Aster Lake Campground will be it’s green “privy” (toilet). Exposed on both sides, a fall or stumble would likely prove fatal, so exercise extreme caution on the ridge! If we didn’t make an effort to hike our remaining 10-11 kilometres quickly, we would be hiking in the dark to Three Isle Lake Campground. We consider Aster Lake one of the most beautiful campgrounds we’ve ever stayed at so would recommend making a stop there. The trail straddles the continental divide between Alberta and British Columbia and is a considered a very challenging trip due to a narrow ridgewalk and the need for advanced route finding skills as we learned all too clearly (more on that later). 9:07. Courtland Penk 1,096 views. The key is to stay on the left side of the ridge except for a brief foray over to the right to bypass the crux. It is very narrow and some people may find it difficult to cross, present company included. If we camped there again, we would likely have to wilderness camp which is not allowed in Alberta Provincial Parks, but in certain circumstances can be understandable and perhaps preferable than hiking down a dangerous trail in the dark. Mt. The mount tops have a dusting of snow and I think winter is here to stay in the valleys above the Kananaskis Lakes! It’s cool nonetheless since it’s rare that you get to camp so close to a waterfall. National Parks campgrounds fill up so quickly it’s really hard to make bookings. It cuts into the BC backcountry and over the incredibly scenic Northover Ridge. Most will do this trip as a 3-day backpacking adventure with stops at the Aster Lake and Three Isle Lake backcountry campgrounds. No need to rush! It can be done in either direction, starting at Upper Kananaskis Lake or Interlake . Hardly an inspiring way to start such a thrilling hike. Hours . Better to plan ahead :). We did the trail in early August and the trail around the lake was clearly passable. When the descent path joined the mostly level Kananaskis Lakes trail, two girls informed us that there was a bear on the trail just ahead of us. We’d recommend lingering and taking as much time as possible to enjoy it as this part of Kananaskis country is supremely beautiful. Definitely would not recommend this hike to anyone hesitant of heights or very steep inclines but absolutely incredible if you're game. With that option of an exit in mind, we aimed toward where we thought the real Northover Ridge ascent began. We (two 20yr/o females) trail ran a bit at the beginning and most of the flat parts on the way down, but we just had day packs - if you really want to run it I'd suggest getting a fitted running vest. The Northover Ridge loop is a beautiful trail that will take you along a high alpine ridge and past three mountain lakes Near Canmore, Alberta. North Ridge is the technical brand from Go Outdoors. It does get *very* cold and windy at the tarns, so dress accordingly. After hiking along the lake, we entered a pretty meadow filled with vibrant wildflowers. Turbine Canyon and Maude Lake via Maude-Lawson Trail, Turbine Canyon to Three Isle Lake Backpacking Loop, Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail to Upper Kananaskis Falls, Upper Kananaskis Lake and Rawson Lake via Great Divide Trail, Aster Lake Trail through Three Isle Lake Trail. There was no snow on the ridge walk and we had clear blue skies the whole time; if you’re doing this for the first time, I recommend going in August. If the weather cooperates, the views are amazing though, more than worth the effort if you are fit enough. Fantastic journey - waterfalls, ridges, refreshing swims, spectacular views, but hampered by smoke. Amazing views, amazing experience. The Iceline Loop (full loop, not dayhike trail) is 30km, 1100m gain. Easy ramps provide access along the ridge with somewhat helpful ducks along the way. You’ll be doing a bit of bushwacking, climbing over or under fallen trees, which of course, can be a bit challenging with three day’s worth of gear on your back. The trail may disappear, briefly, in the drainage above the lake – keep to your right as you cross the drainage, and the trail will eventually become visible heading up the ridge. While you may have to expend some energy to get there, it’s worth it because you’re not going to be spending the night beside somebody else “camping” and listening to the roar of their RV’s generator all night! For those who are not aware, scrambling differs from hiking in a number of ways. That being said, it was incredible and the snow made the larches and rivers look amazing. Learn how your comment data is processed. With 350+ years shared experience in the industry we are able to maintain our high level of personal customer service, quick turnaround times plus lifetime guarantees all round. Prepare for a long day if you are hiking. Overall, the trip is a 36km round trip from Upper Kananaskis Lake to the Interlake parking lot. The ridge was windy but no crawling was necessary. Route finding was not as hard as people make it out to be, I recommend having the paid version of the app to keep you on the right track. It’s only about 1km or less shorter than the all trails way, but you get some slightly different views of the lake. This is a rather uninspiring way to end an incredible hike. 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