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Day 1 GDT 2021 – Aborted Section D

Looking across the valley through the smoke to the President (3138 m) on the left and The Vice President (3066 m) on the right.

Day 1, August 6th, Burgess Pass Trail Head to Yoho Lake Campground. 13.8 km, 950 m elevation gain, 200 m elevation loss, 4 hrs 40 min (all distances and elevation are as per the guide book, Viewranger App will vary), Kiwetinok Alternative (Segment 21).

We left Canmore at around 1:45 pm. Emily needed to do some work on her summer research project and did not want to miss an entire day of work which forced the late start. My understanding was that the hike was only about 13 km and 1000 m of elevation so I was not overly concerned with starting late. On a couple of previous trips Emily and I had started later in the day with more distance to do so this was nothing new to us. Historically Emily and I hike at about 3 kph average which would make the hike a little over 4 hrs. The first challenge for the day was finding the parking lot for the trailhead. The Burgess Pass Trailhead is not a very popular starting point and it is very hard to find any information about exactly where the trailhead is. Guthooks has the trail staring from Field but I found the trailhead on the Viewranger App on a small road only a few hundred metres from Field BC.

Map showing the small road just before Field which has the parking lot and trailhead for Burgess Pass trail.

The plan was for Emily to hike for a day and half with me. We would camp the first night at Yoho Lake Campground. Then Emily would hike as far as Little Yoho Campground with me before returning to Yoho Lake Campground where she would spend the night before heading back to the car. After leaving Little Yoho Lake Campground I was to go over Kiwetinok Pass and then back up over the shoulder of Kiwetinok Peak and into Amiskwi Valley and down to camp at treeline. I would then rejoin the GDT on Day 2 before leaving the trail to explore Amiskwi Lake.

I cannot find anything official from Parks Canada online but the following is an excerpt from an email a person posted on the GDT Facebook page stating that there is no random camping allowed in Kiwetinok Valley. I do not think it would be unreasonable for Parks Canada to post a digital map to aid people in their trip planning.

Kiwetinok Valley to the west of Kiwetinok Pass is not a designated random camping area. You have to hike down the north side of the pass, up the other shoulder and back down again to legally random camp in the Amiskwi Valley. There is not an electronic map available to show the designated random camping areas. The Lake Louise information centre is open to the public and would be able to show you where the designated random camping areas in Yoho are. We are coming out of winter hibernation and the Field Information Centre will be open to the public on May 1st. Thank you for being diligent with your trip planning (GDT?) There have been many unofficial blogs recommending this route, which leads folks to camp illegally in the park.

We had our packs on and hit the trail at 3:15 pm. I was quite excited about staring my 15 day adventure on Great Divide Trail but the thick smoke blanketing the valley had my enthusiasm dampened somewhat. After reading the information board at the trailhead we headed down the trail. In All Trails the Burgess Pass Trail is described as “lightly trafficked” and while that appeared to be true the trail was very well defined and we encountered no major obstacles.

Always joyous time at the beginning of a hike. Can see the smoke obscuring the slopes across the valley.
It is not a well used parking lot.
Emily reading about Burgess Pass before we head out
Most of the elevation is up to Burgess Pass. Only 14.3 km to the campground.

The trail starts off paralleling the highway for a couple of hundred metres before a hard right had us heading up onto the lower slopes of Mt Burgess. Once heading uphill it was very apparent that the area receives a lot of moisture. The ground underfoot was very soft and large leafy plants covered the forest floor.

The flat and slightly wet beginning.
Heading uphill.
Lots of visibility along the forest floor.

At 600 m into the hike there was a short steep climb then the trail lazily climbed through a series of long switchbacks gaining very little elevation. After 40 minutes we had our first view back over the Kicking Horse river valley towards Mt Stephen. Luckily we had the Viewranger App because of the smoke there was no way to know that there were mountains across the valley.

Emily taking in the not so magnificent view across the valley.

After 2.7 km we had only gained 130 m of elevation. The trail then took a hard left and we started heading up in earnest gaining elevation steadily on a pleasant grade made possible by innumerable switchbacks that would take us all the way to Burgess Pass.

As we gained elevation the smoke appeared to thin. We were able to make out features on the cliffs above but the smoke still provided an odd aura on the hike. We were now climbing steadily and our progress after 1 hr 35 min was 3.6 km and 510 m of elevation. Looking back the climb up to Burgess Pass is the largest single gain in elevation on either Section C or E of the GDT. The hike out of Numa Creek Campground to Tumbling is close to same elevation gain but is 150 m less than the hike to Burgess Pass.

Emily looking up at Mt Burgess (2588 m) through the smoke.
Mt Burgess
Mt Burgess on the left and the long ridge leading to Walcott Peak (2575 m)

The trail passed through an open avalanche slope then reentered the forest and where we encounter a short section with several trees down across the trail.

Emily having to duck under one tree before stepping around more trees.
A clearing in the forest provided some needed colour to the hike.
There was a short rocky section just before the beginning of many switchbacks.

After clearing the limestone outcrop we passed through a series short switchbacks that brought us to the top of a major drainage. There was a clear path across the drainage and we had no trouble making it to the other side. Part of the path had no vegetation stabilizing it and the ground around the path had slid part way down the hill. We made it quite easily across the but it would be a challenging getting safely across in heavy rains.

The picture does not show how steep the slope was.

As the trail flattened out we came to a well used overlook and Emily popped up to see the view and there wasn’t one. Less than 15 minutes after we entered the drainage we arrived at Burgess Pass. There were some handy signs at the pass but due to the smoke no view. It was 6:05 pm we had been hiking 2 hrs 50 min and had completed just over half our distance but almost all of the elevation. It was mostly flat or downhill to our campground at Yoho Lake.

Emily looking into the smoke. Emerald Lake should be visible from the pass.
We have 6.8 km of mostly flat or downhill hiking left\

We headed off quickly the trail heading moderately downhill. Even though it was just past 6 pm and we had almost 7 km to go we were feeling pretty good that this second half of the hike would be significantly quicker than the first half. Just before crossing the drainage from Mt Field, which doubles as the access to the peak which would become a familiar theme on Section E, we came across the signs announcing the Burgess Shale area which is closed to all public travel.

Need to sign up for a guided trip.

I would learn at dinner on Day 3 of Section E from one half of the trail duo known as Peter Gabriel (he name is Peter and her name is Gabrielle) that the area is monitored by cameras and an alarm would go off at the Field Parks Canada offices if someone was detected in the area. After hearing about the Burgess Shale for so many years, both Emily and I are fans of fossils, it was fun to finally be able to see the area. After crossing the drainage to Mt Field we side sloped under the ridge that connects Mt Field to Wapta Mt. A few short minutes along later we came across the trail leading to the Burgess Shale complete with many warnings of “Area Closed”.

Emily heading along the slope with Mt Watpa (2778) is the distance.
Coming up to the closed area.
Parks Canada were pretty clear that this area is off limits.

The trail transitioned into a treed area away from the open slopes and the softer ground underfoot was appreciated. We dropped through some switchbacks before continuing back on open slopes around Mt Wapta. We took time to savour the view but the smoke dampened what surely would have been the impressive sites of the peaks of the Presidents complete with glaciers rising high above Emerald Lake.

Blazing pink flowers add some vibrancy to the gloom.
Into the forest.
Just some cool shale.
Mt Wapta
Emerald Lake is down there.
Emily walking towards The President on the left and The Vice President on the right. There is a lovely glacier in the valley between the peaks. The Iceline trail cuts underneath the Vice President on the far side.
Looking back to Burgess Pass and Walcott Peak (2575 m)
Another peek at Emerald Lake.

We came out of the trees and hiked for a short time below the steep cliffs of the the north-western flanks of Wapta Mountain. We could see Yoho Pass through the smoke. We were getting close just 30 minutes from our campground.

Emily disappearing into the trees as we go around Wapta Mt.
There is suppose to be a trail up to Watpa Mt somewhere around here.
Impressive cliff face. Yoho pass is just ahead of us.
Some very kewl rock layers. Guessing its dolomite mudstone.
Emily holding the cliff up.

Just after leaving the cliff face the trail took a quick jog uphill before heading back into the trees and down to Yoho Pass. We arrived at Yoho Pass at 7:40 pm. It close to 6 km from Burgess Pass to Yoho Pass which took us 1 hr 35 min. Yoho Pass is marked by some fences and is the intersection with the trail from Emerald Lake. I have no idea what the purpose of the fences are.

We are heading straight though. Just 10 min to Yoho Lake CG.

We arrived at the campground at 7:50 pm. There was already a few tent pads taken but we had our choice of couple different options. Despite being fully booked the campground never did fill up. We were having homemade dried spinach rotini for dinner so I presoaked the rotini while we set up the tent. A light rain started to fall just as we finished setting up the tent. It was during dinner that I realized that my sleeves that I had made for my poncho were not actually waterproof.

Our spot for the evening.
Only a couple of tents set up.
Arriving at camp is always a happy time. Rotini soaking in my large pot. The plan was for Emily take the pot back and I would continue with my 1.1 L Titanium Pot.
Its pretty cheesy. The beer was a bit warm but still refreshing.
Hot food and warm beer always makes for a happy meal even in the rain.
Our table with Yoho Lake in the background.

I discovered that Yoho Lake must be spring fed because it is relatively warm for an alpine lake. I put a couple of beers in the water to cool before dinner but the water was not actually all that cold resulting in only slightly cooled beer for our dinner.

Thoughts and recap from Day 1 Section D 2020
Good Night From Yoho Lake.

Day 2 GDT Section D 2021

GDT Section E 2021 (aborted Section D) Home

bootwreckers

Day 3 of our 2021 Labour Day Weekend trip through Day 3 of our 2021 Labour Day Weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP.

This day took us from the campground at Balls Pass Junction over Whistling Pass, with a detour up Pharaoh Peak, which wasn't without some drama.

Lunch was another side trip to Scarab Lake followed by an excursion to Egypt Lake.

Our final destination was Pharaoh Creek Campground. After a lovely evening the Milky Way came out to play.

Read the summary at www.Bootwreckers.com, link in bio.

Photo 1 - moody morning at Balls Pass Junction

Photo 2 - golden meadows as we approach Haiduk Lake

Photo 3 - making our way up Whistling Pass

Photo 4 - heading up Pharaoh Peak, and it really was this steep

Photo 5 - looking over Mummy and Scarab Lakes from the Pharaoh Peak.

Photo 6 - group shot on the way down

Photo 7 - at Egypt Lake

Photo 8 - Frosty Paws guarding the tent

Photo 9 - the Milky Way

Video - scree skiing down Pharaoh Peak

Another great day on the trail with @sio.mellors

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks
Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the E Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

The day was sunny and the skies were blue, it was simply an amazing day to be on the trail.

Out day started out retracing our steps from th previous evening back to Shadow Lake.

After lingering to take in the stunning view at the lake we had an easy hike to our campsite at Balls Pass Junction.

After setting up the tent and having lunch we headed up the short but steep trail to Ball Pass. Ball Pass is in mu opinion one of th premier viewpoints in Banff NP. 

After exploring Ball Pass we returned back to the campground and enjoyed a well earned stream chilled beer and a nap.

Clouds rolled in later in the day but it only lightly rained.

Was not the biggest mileage day on the trail but was proof that a great day on the trail.
Photo 1 - Siobhan looking at Mt Ball and it's Glacier from Ball Pass
Photo 2 - Siobhan checking directions
Photo 3 - Shadow Lake and Mt Ball
Photo 4 - Siobhan on bridge crossing outlet of Shadow Lake
Photo 5 - dried  strawberries on the trail
Photo 6 - heading up Ball Pass
Photo 7 - Siobhan looking over the valley from Ball Pass
Photo 8 - heading down from Ball Pass
Photo 9 - our reward for a good day on the trail
Photo 10 - finding peace and tranquility in the backcountry 

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake a Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake area Labour Day Weekend, 2021 now posted up on our blog, link in bio. Another Grand adventure with one of my kids, @sio.mellors.

Our four day trip started at the Vista Lake Trailhead on Hwy 93 South. Up and over Gibbon Pass to camp at Shadow Lake Campground on day 1.

Day 2 was a short hike to Balls Pass Junction CG, then after a short break off to explore Ball Pass, in my opinion one of the best vistas anywhere.

Day 3 we hiked over Whistling Pass on the way to Pharaoh Creek CG, with a scramble up Pharaoh Peak, lunch at Scarab Lake, and a visit to Egypt Lake on the way.

Day 4 was hiking over Healy Pass and out to the Sunshine Village parking lot where our car had been moved to.

Lots of stories from this adventure,  was a lot of fun to revisit and write.

Photo 1 - evening as Shadow Lake

Photo 2 - pre-hike happy team photo

Photo 3 - Arnica Lake, where we had lunch

Photo 4 - the yellow of Larches starting to come in

Photo 5 - the golden meadows of th high alpine at Gibbon Pass

Photo 6 - view all the way to Mt Assiniboine from Gibbon Pass, about 70 km away

Photo 8 - mushrooms in the undergrowth as we approach Shadow Lake CG

Photo 9 - Frosty guarding our campsite

Photo 10 - still smiling at the end of th day at Shadow Lake

#parkscanada #parks
#shadowlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banff #backpacking #camping #lake #egyptlake #Egyptlake  #backcountry #family #familytime #familytime❤️
The trip summaries for Days 10, 11 and 12 from ou The trip summaries  for Days 10, 11 and 12 from our 2021 GDT Section E hike is now up on www.Bootwreckers.com, see link in bio

We had a great end to the trip. Day 9 was a short day from our wild camp on the Bald Hills to Evelyn Crk Campground. Day 10 was a spectacular hike up over Little and Big Shovel Passes to the iconic Jasper Skyline Trail. Camping at Signal Campground. 

Day 11 was an easy walk into Jasper.

The trip was an amazing experience over 11 days, I met and hiked with many people but big props to my kid, who for some reason keeps hiking with me.

Photo 1 - end of hike, looking off into the distance, across th Athabasca River at Cairngorm Mt. 

Photo 2 - morning Bald Hills

Photo 3 - campsite Evelyn Crk CG

Photo 4 - Reading before bed

Photo 5 - fresh bear print on the trail

Photo 6 - Little Shovel Pass

Photo 7 - Snowbowl

Photo 8 - Last grind up to the Notch

Photo 9 - looking east from the Skyline down through Excelsior Creek

Photo 10 At campsite Signal Campground 

See trip reports on our blog, link in bio.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer. Day Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer.

Day 7 was from Waterfalls CG to a meadow in the Six Passes Route. Was a wet, moist day. Numerous creek crossings. Left the main GDT route at Maligne Pass and went off trail into the Six Passes. 

Spent the first night in an amazing meadow. With rain in the forecast we did 5 passes and the ridge walk in one day.

In one word the day was "Epic" . Was a spectacular journey. Huge day, 23 km and over 1500m up and down. So happy we did it, but we were so relieved to put in the tent somewhere flat.

Picture 1) the view of the Six Passes Route from the top of the first pass

Picture 2) me getting ready to leave Waterfalls CG

Picture 3) crossing a creek on a wet log

Picture 4) camping Six Passes

Picture 5) hiking Six Passes

Picture 6) sunrise pass # 2

Picture 7) it's a rocky climb

Picture 8) mmmm chocolate 

Picture 9) the final ascent on the ridge

Picture 10) happy to be home for the evening

See trip reports on our blog, link in bio.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail Hike Section E is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

Includes the 2 days I did on Section D but aborted due to smoke.

Picture 1) Camp on Owen Creek
Picture 2) Camp at Lower Michelle Lake
Picture 3) Pinto Pass
Picture 4) hiking up Cataract Creek
Picture 5) Smokey sunrise over the Brazeau River

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on Decemb Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on December 31st.

Was very cold, -30C, but bluebird skies overhead.

Did a little snowshoeing in the meadow.

Saw almost no one above the upper falls at Johnson Canyon.

Fun adventure.

Happy New Year everyone.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part 1)

Fun day on the trail heading from Four Points CG to Waterfalls CG. 

The day started dry but damp from the rainfall overnight. As we left the Brazeau River valley and headed up to Jonas Pass the storm clouds blew in forcing us to get our wet weather gear on. 

I discovered shortly after that it is great to have gloves for hiking, but that they should be accessible, not buried somewhere in the pack.

The storm was quite fierce but luckily brief. We arrived at Jonas pass and were able to put our rain gear away.

The clouds would remain with for the duration of the hike adding some mood to the hike.

This was my second time hiking over Jonas Pass and Jonas Shoulder and both times it has rained.

We arrived at Jonas Shoulder. We took some time to enjoy the view and let off some steam. The rest of the hike would be downhill.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E. Req Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E.

Required a fun bit of scrambling to access.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E. This day was memorable Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E.

This day was memorable for a few reasons. First waking up to more smoke.

First photo is the sun rising over the mountains at 8:30am, shouldn't really be that red.

Doing the extra distance on day 4 meant that this day I had a 3.1 km hike from Boulder Crk CG to Four Points CG.

I could not extend the day as Emily was joining me on this day coming in from the Nigel Pass trailhead and the next campground on our route would be to far to reach on this day.

When I arrived at Four Points it was just before 8am! Must be my shortest day ever.

I spent the day reading and waiting for Emily. I heard her bear calling down the trail about a minute before she arrived.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing. Met some some people from Calgary who I had a mutual friend with, he used to be their cross country ski coach.

We went to bed reasonably early as we had a decent day ahead of us tomorrow.

The smoke was lifting as we went to bed. 

The last photo is Links' Happy Badass Bandana. Still miss my little hiking partner.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Boulder Creek CG.

Super fun day full of adventure and a lot of smoke. This was a big day, 32 km over Cataract Pass into the upper reaches of Bourgeau Creek in Jasper NP.

After the clear skies of my astrophotography in the middle of the night I got up at 5am, jst 3 hours after I put the camera away, to join my trail companions Jason and Bent for the day. 

The terrain was suppose to be rugged and the trail a little iffy so I thought it would be good to have some companions. As it was we got took two wrong turns in the first 15 minutes.

After several steam crossings, some with suspect bridge work, finally had to cross a wide stream and get wet feet. I had sandals, but my companions ploughed through so I figured I had to keep up.

I found a rock with ancient Indigenous petroglyphs. It is just off trail, but a good day and a half hike from any road.

We passed from Banff NP to Alberta Parks Wilderness area. There is wild camping in the Wilderness area, but good camping spots are hard to find.

I was going to stop for the day short of Cataract Pass, but it was so smokey I thought I would continue on.

We had lunch at the base of Cataract Pass. I used Frosty Paws as a table for my lunch.

It was such a big day I will conclude the trip in another post.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto La Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto Lake

On the night of day 3 I got up at 2am to take photos of the night sky. I was hoping to catch the Milky Way and I knew that the Perseids was going on, so hoping to see both.

I must have seen a good couple of dozen meteors during the hour I was awake.

I went to sleep in my hiking clothes because I knew I was getting up at 2am to take photos then we had a big day ahead of us so the breakfast wake up call was 5am!

I got so lucky with the pictures as in the couple's hours between returning to bed and getting up to start Day 4, the smoke rolled in.

Photo 1 is the Milky Way but no meteor. There are meteors in the following three photos.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #milkyway, #perseidmeteorshower #perseids #nightimephotography #astrophotography
Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first p Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first pass on the Six Passes route.

New post on www.Bootwreckers.com, preparation and plan for my GDT Section D and E hike for the summer of 2021 (see link in bio)

Learned a lot from last year,  still discovered some new things about hiking and camping.

First post has to do with all aspects of preparation:
- Gear
- Food
- Training
- Itinerary 

The GDT - Where everyday is an adventure.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E. Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E.

Relatively easy day from Michelle Lakes to Pinto Lake, only over two passes.

I started traveling with two guys I met actually at Yoho a week back, Jason and Bent.

Of course Frosty was on trip, enjoying the early morning at Michelle Lakes.

The first Lake is Upper Michelle Lake.

The photo of me at the pass is at the unofficial names Michelle Pass. Then it was up to Pinto Pass.

I took a one last picture back to Michelle Pass. Last picture is at Pinto Lake.

Great day, only got a little lost.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Jupiter and 4 little moons First try at astrophot Jupiter and 4 little moons

First try at astrophotography using my camera attached to a telescope, 8" Celeron

Pretty happy with results. Need to research settings for camera to get some colour on Jupiter, but for a first try pretty happy.

Taken from field near Two Jack Lake in Banff NP. Jupiter was over Mt Rundle.

#artofvisual #visualoflife #areyouawake  #earthfocus  #adventurethatislife #createscenery #earthexperience #primeshots #simplyadventure #goparks #wildernessculture #folkscenery #wondersofourplanet #amazingphotohunter #all2epic #milliondollarvisuals #sky_sultans #astrophotography #astronomy
Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #sunstar
#waterfall
#waterfalls
Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Sectio Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

Scored the best campsite on the trip at Lower Michelle Lakes. Had more own personal waterfall. Frosty as always had the best spot.

Spent the day relaxing, reading and watching the helicopter activity. 

Started the next day hiking with Jason and Bent who camped by Upper Michelle Lakes and did not know about the waterfall.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Peak.  Day 3 of our hike around the Egypt Lake area. Thrilled with the colours of the morning sky.

We had some rain overnight, but not much. The clouds lifted off later in the morning. 

Another great day on the trail with @sio.mellors

#parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada
Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP. Super fun 4 day Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP.

Super fun 4 day hike with @sio.mellors thought the trails around Egypt Lake area.

Shadow Lake was our first evening and was a lovely place to watch the sunset.

 #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #reflection #reflections
Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatche Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatchewan River Crossing to Upper Owens Creek.

First day of my 11 day hike from Sask River Crossing to Jasper. I was solo for the first 5 days before being joined my my daughter at Four Points CG.

This was only day I actuall slept on my own.

I left Sask River Crossing at 12:30pm followed an old road that intersected th GDT just past the park gates.

Hiked until about 6:30pm as I wanted to camp near tree line for a clear view of th nights sky. The sky was clear and the Perseids Meteor shower was on and did not disappoint 

Photo 1) my tent and the Milky Way

Photo 2) Me getting ready to  head out

Photo 3) view looking West along th north Saskatchewan River

Photo 4) water dropping into the canyon on Owens Creek

Photo 5) the slide that gave people grief earlier in the summer was passable at creek level

Photo 6) the confluence was a mess a hard going

Photo 7) nice waterfall after th confluence

Photo 8) little Canyon near upper reaches of th creek

Photo 9) dinner cooking in th kitchen

Photo 10) Frosty Paws, me and my tent

Was a great day out on th trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
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