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Canmore Guide
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#1188 - 03/18/08 10:44 PM Road into the Ghost
Paul Offline
WI1


Registered: 02/02/08
Posts: 3
Hey guys,
I was wondering what the road conditions were like heading into the ghost. I have a 2 wheel drive truck with decent clearance, as I have never been to the Ghost I don't want to waste a day of climbing by having to turn around because of not being able to get in. I was hoping to get up to the Sentinal crag parking and hike into the Valley of the Birds or THOS.
thanks for the replies.

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#1189 - 03/19/08 09:03 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Paul]
Allen Offline
WI4


Registered: 11/14/07
Posts: 23
Hey
You will be totally ok, I would just gear down up and down the big hill, but the path to the north ghost is good, barely any snow, have fun!

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#1192 - 03/20/08 12:12 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Allen]
farrgo Offline
WI3


Registered: 11/08/07
Posts: 15
Loc: WA
This may not apply to you, but I heard a lot of talk about subarus being fine for the ghost right now. After riding in there in a truck and seeing the conditions, I definately would not take a subaru in. I agree that you "could" make it, but you would probably do more damage than you'd ever want.
_________________________
"You're limping Ben..."

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#1196 - 03/20/08 11:48 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: farrgo]
Grant P Offline
WI5


Registered: 11/10/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Calgary
The flooding at km#3 immediately past the bridge may also prove a problem for low clearance. On behalf of CASA, I spoke with SLS regarding their operations. The logging is winding down now with just a few residual operations to clear up. They did acknowledge that the flooding could be worse this year but have agreed to keep an eye on the situation and if possible to return with the backhoe to alleviate flooding. I'm not sure how much can be done but be aware that the bridge and just past could see more seasonal problems than usual.
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#1239 - 03/27/08 10:58 PM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Grant P]
Grant P Offline
WI5


Registered: 11/10/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Calgary
First of all I'm not sure why we need three threads in this forum within little more than a week, all about the same thing.
However this was the first of the three so I'll put the update here.

SLS have now concluded log hauling along the Trans Alta Rd. There may still be some heavy equipment to bring out so continue to drive with a little caution.
SLS have indeed made good on their promise to CASA to attempt to clear the flooding by making a couple of drainage channels. Unfortunately the flood/freeze process will continue to choke them up and make passing the bridge at km#3 problematic. I stopped by there today to check it out and the drainage channels are 2-4ft deep below an ice crust that also has water flowing above it. Something I didn't realize until I had wet feet
The water on the road isn't more than several inches deep but the ridge in the middle and the ruts meant that I scraped the bottom of the jeep in a spot or two. A low clearance vehicle might be able to make it but I wouldn't chance it.

If you're feeling generous and want to lower the water a little, you can do as I did when you're on the way in. Take a tool, a mountain axe works even better, and open up the two drainage channels. You may not have to dig all the way from the road but instead break a hole through the crust about a couple feet from the ruts so that water flows away from the ruts then down under the crust.
You probably won't fully drain the road as it seems to be flowing down from the bridge as fast as it will drain away, but it will keep the road passable for vehicles with a little more clearance.

Hope that helps a little for people wondering.

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#1241 - 03/28/08 11:26 PM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Grant P]
iggi Offline
WI4


Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Calgary, AB
Thanks for the info Grant.
Chopping up the ice on the way in sounds like a great warmup. \:\)

Cheers,

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#1285 - 04/06/08 11:40 PM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: iggi]
Grant P Offline
WI5


Registered: 11/10/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Calgary
Weekend of 5-6 April. The flooding isn't too bad right now with water depth being probably in the 6-8" range. What would be a problem for low clearance vehicles though is the ruts. The way the ruts are, makes high centering a good possibility unless you have decent clearance. My Jeep handled it OK but did hit the bottom at one brief spot.

Further into the Ghost, the recent snowfall didn't really drift and although some ruts exist, the road to #39 is in fair shape. Likewise into Devils Gap.

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#1322 - 04/21/08 04:56 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Grant P]
Grant P Offline
WI5


Registered: 11/10/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Calgary
April 20th: km #3 flooding. Fairly easily passable with high clearance. Roughly 8-10" deep on the way out so we walked back with the mountain axe and chopped out the drainage channels in three spots. We succeded in dropping the water level 1-2" in doing so. There were essentially no ruts or ice crust near the bridge, just deep, but that may change depending on temperatures and how it freezes up.

Elsewhere in the Ghost.
North - we were the only vehicle making tracks. No pre existing ruts so we had an easy time driving through fresh powder. Drifting was minimal but existed in a few spots.
South - The plan to drive up the seismic line to Orient Point was stopped when the Jeep broke through a hardened sun crust into an 18" deep facetted snow drift. We were high centered on the crust and ended up digging most of that 18" out before even chains could get traction.... grrr. After over two hours of digging and an already late start, we headed for a short approach and did Wulley Canyon. And no, Paul didn't say "don't drive there" \:D

Wulley itself had thin ice on the first few steps. Don't swing, just chip lightly and it can be climbed. Your pro is the drifted snow you might fall into, no screws. The main falls were still well bulked out and relatively dry but new ice had formed over some snow making ice crusts and onion skins. Screws were good if you smashed out and dug for them. Higher up there was a degree of fracturing. We didn't bother hiking to the higher ice as it gets sun apparently and has some avalanche hazard.

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#1365 - 05/15/08 07:44 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: Grant P]
MarkBR Offline
WI3


Registered: 11/20/07
Posts: 15
Loc: Radium Hot Springs, BC
Could someone please provide an update on road conditions (flooded area especially) into the Ghost?

Much Thanks...

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#1366 - 05/15/08 10:47 AM Re: Road into the Ghost [Re: MarkBR]
BrendenR Offline
WI5


Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 41
Loc: Alberta
I would assume that with the weather we've been having lately it'll be just fine. I'm in the area tomorrow, but won't be back in from of a computer till Tues. I'll be driving on e of the muddy trucks... oh yeah, there might be a bit of mud after that first bridge (where it was/is flooded).

The rock of the Ghost is calling.

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