Ice floe on Bill Milne is impassable

Trip date: Friday Dec 31, 2021

Submitted by Bob Truman

Particpants:

Thanks to Rhonda for the photo

Discussion:

The ice floe on the Bill Milne trail has returned with a vengeance. Until a bypass is groomed, the trail will be impassable. Read yesterday's report by CanmoreChris who saw the ice floe develop as her group was skiing.

As in past years, I expect a bypass trail will eventually be built which involves a 900-metre detour including 300 metres through the ditch on Hwy #40.

If you started the Bill Milne trail at Ribbon Creek, you'd be able to ski about 1.5K before reaching the ice floe. If you started skiing north from the golf course, you'd reach the ice floe in about 2K. The foregoing are rough estimates.

It's tempting to try and ski in the snow at the side but you will sink in the slush and soon have water in your boots.