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Day 1 Baker Lake – Banff NP

Laura taking in the view at Baker Lake. The wine is in the pot chillin in the background while Ptarmigan Peak dominates the view in the distance.

Day 1 Fish Creek Parking Lot to Baker Lake Campground, 13.6 km, 640 m Elevation Gain, 125 m Elevation Loss, 4 hrs 45 min.

We were ready to leave the house just before 8:00 am. I had a thorough job of packing, so much so I could not remember packing our little stove a MSR Pocket Rocket. A quick check through the backpack and I could not find it. I phoned Ken to borrow his stove even though I was sure I had packed it. Then I took one last look through everything and found the stove safely tucked away inside my coffee cup. Crisis was averted but had wasted 20 minutes and a whole lot of stress.

We arrived at Fish Creek parking lot around 9:30 am after our delayed start and hit the trail at 9:40 am. One of my goals for this trip was to arrive at the campground early enough have some to just enjoy the area and relax in the beauty of the place we have hiked to. I have been on a few hikes where I have arrived with enough time to set up and eat before it is bedtime and I did not want that for this trip.

For such an amazing destination the hike starts out very pedestrian as you head up a service road for the ski resort for the first 3.8 km. Stay to right at the first interaction then we just followed the road until we reached the ski lifts on the backside. While the hike was very straight forwarded it was not easy. We actually gained 300 m of our total elevation gain during the hike on the service road. We did not see any other hikers but there was a group of women who where headed out trail running. They may have headed up Deception Pass to Skoki area as we did not see them again.

The not very inspiration start to an amazing hike.
Trees are thinning out and providing some views. The road is very steep.

We made extremely good time up the road. Arriving at the ski lifts in just under one hour. A quick steep jog up a ski run and we came to the trail that would take us all the way to Baker Lake.

A little rough trail leading up the ski hill then onto the main trail which was very wide and well maintained.
I am not very sure about the distances on some of the Parks Canada signs. It was about 9.8 km to Baker Lake by my calculations.

The trail leveled off gain only 180 m over the next 4 km. The hike was very pleasant as we walked through along the valley floor criss-crossing Corral Creek as we made our way towards the headwall of the valley.

Do to the high traffic on the first section of trail there are many small bridges over minor creeks.
Wide trail cuts through a dense forest.
Laura on one of the many crossing of Corral Creek with Ptarmigan Peak (3035m) in the background.
Looking at Mt Temple (3544m) in the distance. Frosty Paws made the trip.

The sun was steadily climbing up through the clear blue sky. As the trees started to thin out the views opened up in all directions.

Ptarmigan Peak on the right, Mt Richardson on the left, the saddle from Richardson (3086m) leads to Pika Peak (3053m).

Twenty minuttes after leaving the creek crossing we scamper up a short hill and arrive at Halfway Hut (sorry no picture). Halfway Hut is a simple little log structure built as a rest stop when supplies for Skoki Lodge were transported by horse train. The hut is located approximately halfway from the Lake Louise train station and Skoki Lodge. We had been hiking for 2 hrs 20 min and had covered 7.5 km.

Halfway Hut is to the left. Redoubt Mountain (2902m) dominates the background.
Lots of choices at this interaction, but no distances. Not lost yet!
If you zoom in on the hill in the distance, you can see the trail leading up to Rockfall Pass, the entrance to the sub alpine.

The trail continued through a couple of minor creek crossings before we started to climb our last real hill of the day. Heading up to Rockfall Pass we climbed up a well graded trail gaining 135 m of elevation in 1.4 km. As we arrived at Rockfall Pass we had the clear blue expanse of Ptarmigan Lake before us and the grassy meadows of the sub alpine all around. It had taken us 2 hrs 50 min to hike 9 km, it was 12:30pm time for lunch.

Trail was nice and wide and pretty smooth. Might get the toes wet with the minor creeks that flowed over the trail.
The rock formations on the hillside remind me of canyons walls in the Grand Canyon. The fluted sections are indications of vertical joints in the rock.
Marmots! Always on guard when you are in the alpine.
Laura coming up the last section of trail before the pass.
Flowers leading up to Ptarmigan Peak.
Ptarmigan Lake with Fossil Mountain (2496m) reflecting in the waters. In the far distance on the left is Mt Douglas (3235m) and to the right is Mt St. Bride (3315m)

The day was working out as I had hoped. The weather was spectacular blue skies but not too hot. It was 12:30 pm and we only had an easy 4.5 km to go. It was time for lunch and to enjoy the fruits of our labour (not that it had been that labourious).

Laura found a good rock for out lunch. Ptarmigan Peak in the background.

After a good 30 minute break we headed off on the last leg of hike. It would be short easy climb to the junction with Deception Pass then downhill all the way to Baker Lake Campground. The trail heads around the north side of the lake. In the spring the trail could be very muddy but for us there were plenty of rocks to step on to keep us above the mud. The trial then starts a slow easy climb up towards the junction with Deception Pass.

Heading out after lunch. The trail still had section of mud which could easily be avoided by walking on the rocks.
Trail remains in excellent shape. Wide with a gently gradient.
Jammed packed picture. Tall peak on the left in the distance is Mt St Bride, the Snow covered peaks just left of centre is Lychnis Mt (2819m) , the dark mountain at centre is Brachiopod Mt (2667m) and the mountain on the left is Heather Ridge (2636m).
Looking back at Redoubt Mt.
I just think Brachiopod is such a good looking mountain.

It only took 30 minutes to reach the high point of the hike the junction to Deception Pass on the way to Skoki. On the way we had a small bit of excitement as we had to cross a very small snow field.

Video taken as we approached the high point of the trail. Mountain at end of video is Fossil Mt
Crossing the snowfield.

We arrived at the junction for Deception Pass. It is worthwhile going to the pass onto the lower slopes of Fossil Mt to get a view across the entire valley (I had done this on a previous trip) but we decided to continue onto our campground. It was easy walking all downhill to Baker Lake. We did have skirt around a couple of marmots who were using the trail as a buffet and eating horse droppings.

Junction with the trail to Deception Pass. Fossil Mt in the background. The meadow below Fossil Mt is a great viewpoint.
Directions. Lots of destinations in the area.
Looking back at Redoubt Mt and Ptarmigan Lake. Can see all the way to the glaciers back of Lake Louise.
First view of the Baker Lake. Campground is at the far end.
Lunchtime on the trail.
Our first view of Baker Lake.

From the high point at the junction with Deception Pass we would actually lose 110 m of elevation as we approached the campground at Baker Lake. One of the benefits of this out and back would be that the 110 m would be the elevation gain tomorrow on the return trip. From our first view of Baker Lake it was 2.2 km to the campground which we covered easily in about 40 minutes. The campground at Baker Lake is a very small clearing with the tent sites very closely packed together. There is only one campsite which actually has a view of the lake. Arriving relatively early we were the lucky ones to snag the “penthouse” campsite with the million dollar view. It was 2:20pm in the afternoon when we had arrived.

The sub alpine is tough place to be a flower.
Junction to the Baker Lake Campground. the trail continues on the left side to continue onto the Sawback Trail the campground goes up the little trail to the right.
Frosty Paws has arrived and do we have a view!

We spent about an hour setting up the tent and storing our food on the bear pole. We then made our way out the the lake where we spent the next hour and half or so relaxing and reading by the water.

Pretty happy to be back at Baker Lake.
Laura soaking in the view. Ptarmigan Peak in the background.
The wine chillin for later.
Laura hard at work putting the “r” in relaxing.

At 5 o’clock we headed off to make dinner. We were doing an experiment. I had been drying my own fruit for a while but had never done a dinner. So on my annual backcountry trip with Laura I decided to experiment with drying my own dinners. I had cooked up some tortellini and sausage along with a bit of broccoli and then dried it. I do not remember the exact value but I remember the weight of the dried meal was less than half of the originally cooked meal. That made me pretty happy. But the real question was how did it taste. We were both very pleased with the re-hydrated meal. Baker Lake has the reputation of being very buggie. When I was at Baker Lake in 2019 I counted over 20 mosquitoes on Ken’s head at one point. There were a couple of groups at the campground who were wearing mosquito head nets (I had made one for Laura) but there were very few mosquitoes on our visit and we never felt the need to cover up.

Re-hydrating dinner.
Have to have some wine with pasta. Laure staying warm in my orange fleece.
The kitchen set up.
The smile says it all. We save on washing by eating from the same pot.

After dinner we went exploring further east from the campground. We had a fun time checking out Baker Creek which empties Baker Lake. Baker Creek flows around Brachiopod Mt and continues all the way to flow into the Bow River at the aptly named Baker Creek Chalets.

Very old signs but still accurate. Go left for Red Deer Lake. Go right for Baker Creek and Pulsatilla Pass.
Baker Creek.
Laura looking happy on the rocks.
Me, I am always happy when exploring.
Why we go hiking.
Doing some stream crossing in the sunlight.
Laura getting in a bit of bouldering.
Flowers lit up by the slowly setting sun.
Lovely mountain that does not have name. Part of the Sawback Range.
Video of the valley along the Sawback range. Head south to Pulsatilla Pass, head north to Red Deer Lakes.

We spent about an hour exploring and made our way back to the campsite where it was time for wine and chocolate. While relaxing on our rock we were entertained by what we thought was a squirrel who swam across the water in front of us.

Wine and sunshine, what could be better.
  • Success! That is one wet critter.
Chocolate biscuits. Backcountry delicacy.

We got ready for bed. Put our smellables into our food bag and hung up the bear hang. The bear hang is located a reasonable distance from camp so we did not want to have to make too many trips back and forth. We both had books to read so spent the early evening in the tent reading.

One last trip to the biffy before bead introduced us to the neighbourhood porcupine. The presence of porcupines at the Baker Lake campsite is well known Porcupines love to chew so it is important to put everything inside the tent. During our stay someone had their boots chewed on by a porcupine

We would have quite an evening with our little friend. Porcupines are very active at night and make a sound that make any zombie excited but not exactly what one would describe as a peaceful sound of nature. My plan was to get to sleep reasonably early with the plan to wake up at 1:30 am to take pictures of the night sky.

Bear hang.
Porcupine would nibble a small hole in the tent.

Baker Lake Night Time

Baker Lake Home

bootwreckers

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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