Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass/moderate pace

Slow and Steady Hikers
**Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass**. There is no closure per Parks Canada, at the time of posting. Overnight camping is not allowed. The parking lot is pretty small with room for ~20 cars, hence we should be at the lot by 715 am.
**Maximum 10 hikers**
**MEETING AT TRAIL HEAD 0715 am**, Parks Pass not required in summer.
**Description from public domain, Gaiagps/GEM Trek/hikebiketravel.com**
The Bourgeau Lake hike in Banff National Park is a hiker’s dream; starting with a steady forest climb along Wolverine Creek, this trail rewards hikers with views of Bourgeau Lake’s peaceful waters, spectacular alpine scenery, and wildflowers, followed by eye soothing views of the alpine lakelets of Harvey Pass. The distance return trip is 19.2 km to Harvey Pass, with 1042 m elevation gain, a gradient of about 10% per Gaiagps.
Mt. Bourgeau and Bourgeau Lake were named by James Hector for Eugene Bourgeau, botanist with the Palliser Expedition (1857 – 1860)
This area sits within the **Bourgeau Thrust Sheet** ( complex folds and faults )of the Canadian Rockies. The local geology is characterized by **Paleozoic sedimentary rocks** (limestones and shales) that were thrust eastward over younger strata, sculpted into a classic **glacial cirque** during the Pleistocene epoch (approx. 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago).
**Trailhead to Bourgeau Lake**: At the 5.5 km mark, we are greeted by a beautiful view of the many cascades on Wolverine Creek Rock, we de-layer and begin the climb. We reach the Lake shore at 7.4 Km mark. This would be a relaxing point for a bite, to replenish our sagging energy.
**Bourgeau Lake to Harvey Pass:** An easy-to-spot sign near Bourgeau Lake points us in the direction of Harvey Pass. We climb a further 297 metres over 2.2 km to reach Harvey Pass.
We climb on the right side of the cascading inlet to arrive at the first lakelet. We continue around the north shore to reach the second lakelet. Expect to be greeted by hoary marmots
We stop to look back at the stunning views of the Bourgeau Lake hike with alpine flowers, may be some snow, along with the pretty lakelets and mountains.
We climb a steep scree slope to reach Harvey Lake, the third lakelet and Harvey Pass.
If we are lucky and the weather is clear, Mt. Assiniboine, ‘*Matterhorn of the Rockies*,’ the highest peak in Banff National Park at 3,618 m will greet us.
We can continue, depending upon the group dynamics, another 15-20 mins for more spectacular views, or have our lunch and drag ourselves to the car parking lot
Trail rating: T3 [http://bit.ly/SnS_TrailRating](http://bit.ly/SnS_TrailRating)
Event: Whole day
Pace: SLOW, MUST REMAIN IN VIEW OF THE ENTIRE GROUP. Once we reach the top, we shall have plenty of astounding photo opportunities! If the participants so desire, we can have a meal n drink at the end of the hike either in Banff or in Canmore.
This hike is subject to trail remaining OPEN.
A waiting list has automatically been created to determine this trip’s suitability for you as a potential participant. **Waiting list is not first come, first serve, but it’s based on the ability to fit into group dynamics and organizer’s discretion and past participation in SnS Hikers group events.** If the organizer requires additional information from you, please provide it, otherwise, you will remain on the waiting list. As a potential participant, you must check this trip posting for additional directions from the organizer, including up to trip cancellation. I am not a licensed guide, hence completely dependent on group members for safety support.
You must adhere to the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct: [http://bit.ly/SnS_Conduct](http://bit.ly/SnS_Conduct)
Mandatory Gear: bear spray, hiking boots, appropriate layers for the temperature, rain jacket & pants, hiking day/backpack, lunch/snacks, water (2 liters or more), hiking poles, bug spray, sunscreen, personal-sized first aid kit, personal medications as needed, hand sanitizer/wipes. ABSOLUTELY NO BEAR BELLS or COTTON CLOTHING.
Please don’t put me in position to turn you away from the trailhead if you don’t have above listed required gear.
Waiver: [https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/](https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/)
You must provide phone number of an emergency contact. Please come prepared with this information. Your participation in this event means you have read the waiver. You are fully aware that organizers are not professional guides and you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you’re physically fit to do this hike with the group.
You are responsible for knowing the current trail([https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/bulletins](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/bulletins) ), avalanche, road & weather conditions, your current physical conditions and for your safety & well-being.
You must adhere to the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct: [http://bit.ly/SnS_Conduct](http://bit.ly/SnS_Conduct)
CARPOOLING: up to individual, I shall depart from Cochrane. Carpool etiquette: [http://bit.ly/Carpool_Etiquette.](http://bit.ly/Carpool_Etiquette.)
with the group. You are responsible for determining current avalanche, road & weather conditions, your current physical conditions and for your safety & well-being.