Starting from the trailhead, Zosia and I initially kept our climbing skins in our packs and followed a well-established track across frozen Bow Lake.  At the far end of the lake, we attached our climbing skins and continued over a forested hump.  In doing so, we bypassed a gorge to reach an open basin in front of Bow Glacier Falls.  At this point, we turned southward and entered a canyon which is an obvious terrain trap and not a good place to linger when avalanche hazard is significant (moderate across the board on this day).  There were some spots with open water in the canyon, but fortunately, we were able to circumvent all of them.  After traveling for a little less than two kilometres through the canyon, we climbed the east bank and eventually worked our way up into the glaciated valley leading to Crowfoot Mountain.  Still following a skin track, we passed the last trees and worked our way up a series of snow-covered moraines.  The snow felt very stable on this day, and we did not notice any instabilities whatsoever.  The ascent was so smooth and gentle that we did not even notice climbing onto the benign glacier which guards the final steep slope before the summit ridge.

On top of the glacier, Zosia chatted briefly with a guide and his female client who had just skied down the aforementioned steep slope (they did not bother to go tag the summit of Crowfoot Mountain) and were now heading up the nearby minor bump known unofficially as Little Crowfoot.  Somewhat surprisingly, they would be the only other people we would see all day.  From the top of the glacier, we dropped down a short dip before following the guide's tracks up the steep slope.  Where the guide and his client turned around, we ditched our skis and walked along the windswept summit ridge for another 850 horizontal metres to the summit of Crowfoot Mountain.  Despite a chilly breeze, we stuck around on the summit for half an hour to eat some food and check out all the names in the register.

When we left the top, Zosia and I retraced our steps back along the summit ridge to where we ditched our skis.  Except for a short uphill shuffle to get back over the glacier, we enjoyed a glorious downhill run to the canyon.  From top to bottom, snow quality was excellent, and the skiing felt refreshingly effortless.  The last forested section before the canyon was a little trickier to descend, but we both got down safely without a spill.  The ski out the canyon was easy, and while the final uphill section at the gorge bypass was annoying, we managed to get over the forested hump without too much grief.  We were subsequently aided by a nice tail wind as we skied back across Bow Lake to conclude an excellent ski trip.

Zosia starts skiing from the parking lot near Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (closed in winter).

Zosia crosses frozen Bow Lake.  Visible across the horizon are St. Nicholas Peak (left), The Onion (left of centre), and Portal Peak (right).

 

	The end of Crowfoot Mountain's long north ridge towers over Bow Lake.
	The snow is a bit thin in places on the far side of the lake.
	The route goes into the trees at left to avoid the gorge on the right.
	Zosia is about to drop down into the basin in front of frozen Bow Glacier Falls.
	Zosia enters a canyon which is the normal access route for Bow Hut.  In the background is Vulture Peak.
	Zosia takes care to avoid some open water in the canyon.
	Zosia basks in warm sunshine again high above the canyon.  Bow Hut is actually visible in this photo at upper left.
	The Onion (left) and Portal Peak (right) are once again revealed as Zosia climbs out of the canyon.  Also visible behind Portal Peak is Mount Thompson.
	The route continues past the last trees and up the valley at left.

The skin track can be seen running all the way up the glaciated valley.

 

	As Zosia climbs higher, the bulk of Mount Thomspon (left) becomes more apparent.  Also notable at right is Mount Jimmy Simpson.
	Zosia follows the skin track past some impressive cliff bands.
	This section of the skin track is likely on a glacier.
	Zosia heads into a short dip before the long climb up the far slope.

Mount Balfour comes into view to the south.

 

	After ditching her skis, Zosia climbs up the windswept summit ridge.  The actual summit is not visible here.
	Mount Hector is visible beyond the huge cornices hugging the summit ridge.
	Zosia is only a few steps away from the summit cairn at left.
	Sonny and Zosia take a break on the summit of Crowfoot Mountain (3059 metres).
	The most recognizable peak to the south is Mount Temple.

Wapta Icefield and its many associated peaks fill the view to the west.

 

	Zosia retraces her steps back along the summit ridge.
	Back on her skis, Zosia begins the glorious descent.  At left is Little Crowfoot.
	Zosia side-steps up a short annoying uphill section.
	Snow conditions are excellent from top to bottom on this day. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia rips down the easy slope.
	Zosia is about to drop back into the canyon with The Onion in the background.
	The ski out the canyon is quick and easy.
	Zosia tries to stay as high as possible on the return along the route bypassing the gorge.
	Zosia is about to ski back across Bow Lake to Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.
	Total Distance:  20.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  9 hours 7 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  1133 metres GPX Data