Boot Wreckers
Menu
  • Welcome to my hiking website
  • Hiking
    • Mt Allan Traverse (Centennial Ridge)
    • Mt Nomad – Kanananaskis Country
  • Backpacking – Overnights
    • Baker Lake 2020 Banff NP
    • Fish Lakes – Banff NP, Alberta
    • Floe Lake/Numa Creek, Kootenay NP, British Columbia
    • Floe Lake (Revisited 2019) – Kootenay NP
    • Grand Canyon Corridor Backpacking Trip
    • Hermit Trail to Hermit Meadows – Glacier NP, British Columbia
    • Exploring Waterfalls with Volcano – Yoho NP
    • Mystic Lake – Banff NP
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2016 – Ribbon Creek Route
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2017 – South Buller Pass Route
    • Stenton Lake – Alberta Wildlands Prov. Park
  • Backpacking – Multi Day
    • Arizona Trail Passages 16/17
    • Brazeau Loop – Jasper National Park
    • Egypt Lake Epic – Banff NP
    • Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab
    • Grand Canyon – Tanner/Beamer Trail
    • GR20 – Corsica
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section C 2020
    • Iceline/Twin Falls – Yoho NP
    • Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
    • Mt Assiniboine Lollipop – Banff NP
    • Rockwall North 2020 Kootenay NP
    • Sawback – Banff NP
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
Menu

Day 1 Laughing and Twin Falls Yoho NP

Laughing Falls, just a few metres away from the campground.

Day 1 Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot to Laughing Falls Campground, 4.5 km, 120m Elevation Gain, 15 m Elevation Loss, 1 hrs 17 min.

With day one being a very short and flat hike we purposely headed out late. The plan was to start hiking by 5 pm to arrive in plenty of time to set up camp and make dinner. We had a birthday party to attend the following day so had to be back at the car around 11:30 am. We did not arrive at the parking lot until after 5 pm. The drive from the Trans Canada to the trail is 26 km and being limited to 60 kph took longer than I planned. I slung the backpack and camera bag on as quick as I could. Volcano is always ready to go so after a couple of beginning of hike photos we were off at 5:12 pm.

A fuzzy photo of the team.
Volcano keen and eager for the hike to start.

The trail is very well maintained for the first 2 km. Just a few hundred metres from the parking lot is Takakkaw Falls walk-in-campground. This is a fabulous looking campground and every time I passed through there appeared to be tent sites available. The campground is categorized as a walk-in because there is no vehicle access. After parking your car you use a little wheelbarrow to bring all your supplies to your campsite. We passed by the campsite quickly on a lovely crushed gravel trail. Crossed a long boardwalk type bridge over a wide confluence of streams. With a long look back at Takakkaw Falls we were on our way.

The trail.
Lots of options.
Takakkaw Falls.
Yoho Valley. Snow, glaciers and jagged peaks. Where we are headed.
A narrow but functional bridge.

Moved steadily for the first 45 minutes until we came to the junction for Angel Staircase Falls which is just a little over halfway to our campground. We took a small detour to look at the falls. Unlike some of the other falls that have a large unimpeded drop Angel Staircase Falls is more of a cascading falls with the water tumbling down a series of drops, like a staircase. Upon leaving Angel Staircase the trail loses its manicured nature and becomes a bit rougher and heads up the only major hill on the trail where would would gain 120 m of elevation covering just 600 m of trail.

That is some silty water. Yoho River.
This is as good as it will ever get for a backcountry trail.
Junction to Angel Falls Staircase. The falls are only 100 m along the left trail.
Angel Staircase Falls. Is probably more impressive during spring runoff.
Volcano charging up the hill. The manicured trail is a thing of the past, or is it?
Looking a little more like a backcountry trail.

After rising over the crest of the hill there was a small descent and the trail conditions improved dramatically again. There was a small spur trail over to the river with a little canyon. It was here that I began to notice that Volcano was not a fan of rushing water.

The manicured trail has returned, including curbs.
Small canyon with rushing water just a few minutes before Laughing Falls CG.

A quick six minute walk took us to a bridge over the Little Yoho River. The water was a nice and clear but the bridge was somewhat concerning. The river was flowing fast and I really would not want to fall in but there was a railing only on one side of the bridge. Immediately upon crossing the bridge we arrived at Laughing Falls Campground where our first challenge of the trip was waiting for us.

Bridge over the Little Yoho River. Note the lack of barrier on the right side.
Arrival at Laughing Falls CG. the welcome sign could use some paint.

The campground at Laughing Falls is very small. It takes less than one minute to walk around the entire area set aside for camping. It was about 6:25 pm, we had covered 4.5 km in 70 minutes with a couple of detours for photographs. After completing the tour of the campground I discovered that despite have a permit there were not available campsites. Two tents were already set up on a sandbar on the edge of the Little Yoho River by people looking for a campsite. I found a spot near the entrance that had the obvious markings of having seen use by a tent. I really was not too happy about the situation but I was not about to go challenging people for their permits, that is the job of the Parks Canada Wardens, and the spot I chose had be previously used so I was minimizing my impact. While setting up the tent I soaked my homemade dehydrated meal. Volcano started at me wondering where her meal was as she normally eats at 5 pm. It took about 25 minutes to set up the tent and organize the inside. Once finished with setting up I headed over to the eating area to cook up my dinner and feed Volcano.

Our campsite. Volcano looking annoyed.
Spinach Rigatoni. Doing the pre-soak.
Necessary tools for cooking.
Dinner is looking promising.
Volcano putting up with another photo.
Awesome hiking companion.
View from the cooking area.

After dinner I read for a little while on a log. Some other campers came to use to the tables. There were some families with very young children hanging around a little beach area skipping rocks across the river. I ran into my second surprise of the evening when I went to hang my food up and there were no bear hangs available. Luckily I had just received my Zpacks Bear Hanging Kit. The kid includes a generous sized dynema food bag, a rock bag and 50′ of chord. I was able to toss the rock bag and hang my food.

Volcano and the Yoho River in the early evening light.
Bear hang. My bag is the blue one.

As it was only 8 pm I decided to go up and check out Laughing Falls as it was only a couple of minutes from the campground. The falls are not the largest falls around by any stretch but are very accessible which makes them quite impressive as you can get up quite close. This is when it was becoming evident to me that Volcano was not a fan of waterfalls.

Volcano bravely heading towards the waterfall.
Laughing Falls.
Laughing Falls.
A long exposure shot. Did not have a tripod so used a rock.
Laughing Falls. I like waterfalls.

We left the falls at 8:20 pm and were in the tent by 8:55 pm. It took Volcano a few minutes to settle in the tent. This was her only camping trip this summer. In 2019 Volcano did 4 camping trips and spent 6 nights in a tent. Guess she had forgotten how cozy it could it be. It had been a good short day with some small challenges. Tomorrow we would be up early so we could hike up to Twin Falls and be back home in time for a birthday party at 1 pm.

Good night from Laughing Falls.

Day 2 Laughing and Twin Falls

Laughing and Twin Falls Home

bootwreckers

Takakkaw Falls from th Incline Trail, Yoho NP. Ph Takakkaw Falls from th Incline Trail, Yoho NP.

Photos of Takakkaw Falls taken from the Iceline Trail.

1) 1.6 second exposure of the falls

2) view of the falls and the Daly Glacier that feeds the water to th falls

The Iceline Trail was a nice way to get a more unique view of the falls and with fewer people.

Morning of day 2 of amazing trip last summer with @sio.mellors 

Yoho NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #falls #waterfallphotography #waterfall #waterfallsofinstagram
Going through some photos from summer 2020. I lik Going through some photos from summer 2020.

I liked this photo, captured the early morning at Yoho Lake CG on my trip with @sio.mellors 

Loved how the water grabbed th orange reflection off the bottom of the clouds as the sun just crested the horizon.

I enjoy getting up early when camping. Not only do I get to enjoy the peace and quiet of camp, but the light of the sun presents fleeting visual displays that are gone in moments.

Yoho NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #sunrise #morning #sunrisephotography  #lake #reflection #reflections
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

For more photos of these and other Bootwreckers Adventures

© 2021 Boot Wreckers | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme