Boat Launch Conditions - April 05, 2014

Carseland/Johnson's Island  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

We provided a report back on Friday April 04 on the quick tour we did of Glenmore, 22X and Police.

After completing our shuttles on Saturday April 05, we headed downstream to have a look at the rest of the boat launches. 

Carseland/Johnson's Island  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

We headed straight for Carseland/Johnson's Island. All was quiet down in the valley - no equipment, no workers. There had been no further construction activity since our last visit in late February. 

Carseland/Johnson's Island Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

However, we did note that the side of the valley had experienced another slump. It followed the very same semi-circular path as the one that happened a couple years ago.

Legacy Island  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

Legacy Island was still locked in ice. The road down the coulee to the island was too muddy to risk descending with my shuttle van. However, we got close enough to see that the side channel was still blocked by ice. 

 Legacy Island  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

McKinnon Flats  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

On to McKinnon, only to find the switchback road down to the valley bottom was impassible for a front wheel drive van. 
 

McKinnon Flats  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

A 4x4 truck had descended part way, only to have a change of heart. He was attempting to back up the road. It took some doing, but he finally made it back up to the top. 

McKinnon Flats  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

We could see what appeared to be a fairly solid wall of ice fronting the McKinnon parking lot. 

McKinnon Flats  Photo, © Bow River Shuttles

It doesn't actually take long for the McKinnon switchbacks to dry out. All that's needed is a few warm and windy days.

But so far in April 2014, warm days have been few and far between.