Iceberg (Lake) right ahead! Unfortunately, we couldn’t really see the lake as we were blasted by freezing rain and snow as soon as we crested the moraine. Once we gained the top of the headwall, we had to climb another moraine beyond which Iceberg Lake lies. From here, a good trail traverses back and forth on forested ledges which lead up and over the rest of the headwall. Safe and sound on the other side of the ledge. Looking back towards Bow Lake from the airy ledge. Travel along the ledge is easy but things do get a little narrow in places! Making our way onto the well-cairned ledge the traverses the headwall about half way up. Unfortunately, there was no conveniently placed massive boulder to aid with this creek crossing.Ĭrux, Grandpa Gary and I pause for a breather as we exploit a sparse trail to make our way up the left side of the steep moraine at the base of the headwall. It’s amazing to think that all this was buried beneath the Bow Glacier only a century ago!Ĭrux bravely fords the raging glacial stream. Mouse over to see the route which we used to surmount the headwall en route to Iceberg Lake. Looking back from slightly upstream as another party tackles the impressive chockstone bridge.Ībove the gorge, the forest becomes sparse and Bow Glacier Falls are beautifully revealed amongst the surrounding moraine moonscape. Rumor has it that Parks Canada saved a significant amount on bridge construction and maintenance by dropping this massive boulder here. To access Bow Hut (and Iceberg Lake) one must cross from the west side of the gorge to the east side using this immense chockstone.

Well-maintained stairs ascend the west side of a gorge and provide the day’s first real elevation gain over 3 km beyond the trailhead. Grandpa Gary pauses to enjoy the view just upstream of Bow Lake. It might be fall in the Rockies now but the cool temperatures and snow dusting the peaks above hint at another impending change of seasons… Grandpa Gary, Crux and I make our way along Bow Lake’s scenic shore following the Bow Hut hiking trail. It may still be August (barely) but fall has arrived in the Rockies. As a result, the grandpas and I thought it would be a great spot to spend some quality time hiking together (certainly preferable to the alternative which involved staying inside amongst 2 dozen baby-mad women)! Our objective for the day would be the source of the waterfalls visible here, Iceberg Lake. The perfect escape: beautiful Bow Lake! After taking our wedding photos here, this spot is near and dear to our families’ hearts. Everything was ready for the grand occasion that was Brianne’s baby shower! All that remained was for the men (Crux, myself and both grandpas-to-be) to escape before a houseful of women arrived with their offerings of cute baby outfits, toys and other miscellaneous newborn paraphernalia! After weeks of preparation, invitations were issued, RSVPs received, balloons and streamers hung and snacks laid out.

Iceberg lake trail banff