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Day 1 Egypt Lake Epic Banff NP

Bridge over Redearth Creek leading to Lost Horse Creek Campsite.

Day 1 Redearth Creek Trailhead to Pharaoh Creek Campground, 14.7 km, 744 m Elevation Gain, 258 m Elevation Loss, 3 hrs 52 min.

The first leg of our hike was to Pharaoh Creek Campground. The initial part of the trail is up an old fire road with a moderate incline. It is used as a cross country ski trail in the winter and by mountain bikes in the summer. I knew that this would make for a relatively quick hike to cover the 14 km to the campground (similar to the first day for Mystic Lake and Assiniboine trips). With this in mind, we left after lunch. This reduced the amount of food I had to carry a little, and ensured that I started off with a nice large pre-hike meal at home.

Backpack all packed, Volcano staying alert, not going to miss out on another adventure.

We arrived at a very busy trailhead at 1:00 pm and hit the trail at 1:15 pm. We had to negotiate the metal steps up and down to access the trail from the parking lot: definitely not Volcano’s favourite part of the hike.

Gate to access the trail.
Our campground is not even listed, Re 6 is Lost Horse Creek CG and E13 is Egypt Lake CG.

As expected, the trail was wide and smooth. Buried in the trees with limited views, our hiking pace was quick, averaging over 5 km/h. The initial soft forested trail did give way to a slightly rocky path as we moved to the slopes of the valley created by Redearth Creek.

Trail is wide and smooth.
Now hiking above the creek, trail is just a little rockier.

Our first views came after 3.7 km, when we crossed avalanche paths under Pilot Mountain. Looking back we were able to catch a view of Mt Ishbel, one of my favoutite peaks. Mt Ishbel is just south of Johnston Canyon and behind it, out of view, is Mystic Lake.

Avalanche slope up to Pilot Mt.
Warning for winter travellers.

We passed groups of hikers heading back to their cars. We chatted with a few people, and while tired, people were in very good spirits from their adventures. We crossed more avalanche paths and continued to steadily gain elevation. After 1 hr 30 minutes of hiking, we crossed a bridge over Redearth Creek that brought us to Lost Horse Creek CG. The nicely graded trail had risen 230 m since the trailhead.

Volcano still trucking along.
Bridge over flood damage.
Interesting spires on the peak, different view of Pilot Mt.
Looking downstream as we approached Lost Horse Creek CG.
Sign is a little beat up, nice little campground.

We took a ten minute break at the campground. Volcano had a long drink from Redearth Creek and I had a snack and visited the outhouse. The campground is not very well used, but I met two groups who had stayed there. It would come in handy if coming from afar or after work to hike and time was limited.

Nice level tent pads.

It was just over 3 km to the the junction for Shadow Lake, where would would turn south and follow Pharaoh Creek. The trail continued much the same as before and, except for a large deposit of bear scat, was uneventful. We had been hiking for 2hrs 40 minutes and covered just over 10 km.

The trail continues under friendly skies with views of Redearth Creek.
That is a big pile of scat with a lot of berries.

The junction between the trails to Shadow Lake and Pharaoh Creek as a bike rack and signals the end of the nicely groomed trail. The trail to Shadow Lake appeared to be narrow and rooty. We were going to continue to follow the fire road which does continue all the way to Egypt Lake, but we were shortly in for a big surprise.

Straight ahead takes you to Shadow Lake and Balls Pass Juntion.
We headed left, our campground appeared, Re 16

According to the sign post we were about 6 km from our campsite, though it ended up being 4.5 km according to my Viewranger App. We stopped for a 15 minute break and chatted with a group of younger hikers. I have noticed that many hikers are younger than me. We were all headed to Pharaoh Creek. I let them leave first with a bit of head start, thinking they would hike quicker.

Heading away from the junction.
Cute Parks Canada Patrol Cabin for the wardens.

After passing the Patrol Cabin, we crossed over Pharaoh Creek and continued on the fire road. Suddenly the trail was covered in branches and we came up a sign directing us off the trail and up a very steep trail. The new trail appeared to have been recently constructed by Parks Canada. My guess is that the main trail had previously suffered some serious flood damage and, instead of repairing the trail, Parks Canada chose to construct a new trail away from the creek.

Volcano wondering what the humans are doing, the detour is just ahead of us.

The new trail was a bit of a shock after the nicely graded trail we had grown used to. It initially rose 90 m in just 0.6 km. We had been hiking at around 5 km/h; Viewranger said our speed dropped to around 3.5 km/h when we hit this section. The group in front of us, despite their youth, started to slow dramatically. They stopped and allowed us to pass. This made Volcano happy as she prefers to be in front. Guess you can’t take the “Lead” out of a Lead Dog.

Volcano in pursuit of her prey.
Volcano into the lead.

It was a total distance of 2.1 km to the top of the trail, rising 230 m. While not an incredibly steep section it was a shock to the system after the nicely graded trail we had been hiking previously. The trail was more varied and fun than the fire road. Frequent short ups and downs with numerous small creek crossings kept us focused.

One of about five bridges we crossed.
Volcano checking out where we have to go.
Across another bridge then up to the left.

The detour was 3.8 km long. We rejoined the main trail 1 hr 5 minutes after being diverted. I stopped to check my Viewranger app to see how far we had to go and we still had a little over 1.5 km. Wasn’t I surprised when two minutes later I was looking at Pharaoh Creek Campground. This was another example of the app being slightly inaccurate (had happened on my Sawback trip). I was a little unsure of the campground at first. I did recognize the posts marking the campsites that Parks Canada always uses. But the campground was more of a meadow, without designated spots like at Lost Horse Creek CG. Nevertheless there was a nice sign announcing the campground so we headed down to find a spot.

Looking back at the detour from the south end; we came from the right.
Tree growing out of a rock, love nature.
Welcome to Pharaoh Creek CG.
Yes, this is the campground.

We were the first to arrive to the campground, though it would actually fill up by the end of the evening. We found a spot near the creek. It was just after 5 pm which meant it was Volcano’s dinner time. After feeding Volcano I set up the tent, then we went to explore the campsite.

Volcano relaxing after a good day.
Home for the evening.
Good to find the outhouse.

Pharaoh Creek runs just west of the campsite. It cuts through a cliff just below the eating area. This made water very accessible, just a little scramble up and down.

The creek just below the where the tent was pitched.
Looking up Pharaoh Creek from the water access closest to the eating area.
The scramble from the creek back tot he food area.
Volcano partway up the scramble.
Heading to the eating area. The water access is through the to the right. Campground has bear lockers.

We enjoyed a friendly dinner with the young people we had passed on the detour earlier. Two more groups of people came to the campground. We enjoyed a quick after dinner walk then after a few photos and headed to bed at about 8:30 pm.

Tents under the distant glare of Pharaoh Peak.
Close up of the sun setting on Pharaoh Peak.
Time for bed from Pharaoh Creek.

Day 2 Egypt Lake Epic

Egypt Lake Epic 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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