The Cosmic Ray Observatory built in 1957
May 22 Wednesday
Weekly hike with the Meanderthals. Each hike is rated A to D. A is for the faster hiker who likes to get to reach their destination quickly. These hikes are usually longer with more elevation gain. B hikes could be the same but at a slower pace. C & D are shorter and slower.
Todays hike was classed B and started at the Upper Parking lot of the Sulphur Mt Gondola.
Lower Parking Lot with showing the lift station
The trail winds up the side of the mountain criss crossing back and forth under the lift. In August 2015 went up from the Cave & Basin and as the they were starting the renovations of the upper terminal it was a free ride down so we took it.
View of the Gondola Cars coming up & down
At a steady pace we were at the top in about 2 hours.
Views of Lake Minnewanka from the cafe platform
As the weather was not at it’s best lunch was taken inside with the luxury of being able to buy a fresh coffee.
View of Tunnel Mt and Banff
We found ourselves to be celebrities by a group of Aussie tourist who thought us slightly insane to have walked all the way up. They took pictures of us with all our gear on and wished us well.The route down is by the old Cosmic Ray Road built in the fifties for the observatory.
The Cosmic Ray Road Just after leaving the boardwalk.
The road down not as steep as the way up. From Hwy # 1 between the Sunshine turn off and Hwy 1A you can see the faint line in the trees as it winds its way across the Mountain.
Still some snow in late May
The road comes out at the Sundance Trail. Turn left to the Sundance Creek and Healy trail or right back to the Cave and Basin.
The group on the pavement on the Sundance Trail heading toward the Cave & Basin
The Cave and Basin Hot Springs has just re-opened but not for swimming. As there is an admission charge to view the exhibition we only saw the gift store as we waited for the car drivers to be ferried between the Gondola Parking and the Cave & Basin.
Hiked up from the Cave & Basin and rode the Gondola down. This was the second time I did the hike.
Total kms 16.7 Elevation gain 850 m Time 5.5 hrs
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