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    • Floe Lake (Revisited 2019) – Kootenay NP
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    • Egypt Lake Epic – Banff NP
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    • Mt Assiniboine Lollipop – Banff NP
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Day 1 Mt Assiniboine Lollipop Banff NP

Creek flowing under Cone Mountain.

Day 1 Mt Shark Parking Lot to Marvel Lake Campground, 13.1 km, 220 m Elevation Gain, 150 m Elevation Loss, 2 hrs 59 min.

Since the hike was to take place over Emily’s work weekend, we had to wait until Emily finished work for the day at 4:30 pm. The hike to Marvel Lake Campground was very straightforward, it was mostly just hiking along an old fire road, with very little elevation change. This enabled us to maintain a good hiking pace, with the goal of finishing the 13 km is about 3 hours.

What it takes to take a dog backpacking for three days: breakfast and dinner x 2, a bag of snacks for on trail, water bowl, rain jacket, fleece jacket for sleeping and a sleeping pad. Maybe the sleeping pad is a little deluxe, but Volcano is worth it.

I drove to Banff with Volcano to pick Emily up from work at Tunnel Mt Campground. We headed off to Mt Shark on the Spray Valley Road. It was about 25 minutes to Canmore, then about 55 minutes down the Spray Valley to the Mt Shark Parking Lot. We arrived at just before 6:00 pm, and hit the trail at 6:12 pm.

Spirits were high to begin the adventure.
The trail was wide and smooth to begin with. It comprises part of the Mt Shark cross country ski trails.
Emily striding it out, Horace the Hedgehog hanging onto the pack.

The trail in the Mt Shark area forms part of the cross country ski area. It is a well graded old fire road and rises a mere 30 m over the first 3 km. The trail does become slightly steeper, doubling its elevation gain over the next 0.6 km, but it was never truly steep. We passed by the turn off to Wedge Pond and Karst Springs, both worthy day trips. We then arrived at the beginning of a long downhill, after just 55 min and having covered 4.3 km. There really was not much to see on the trail at this point, so we kept the pace high. As we started downhill we passed a sign indicating that we were entering Banff National Park.

Welcome to Banff National Park, firearms prohibited.

At the bottom of the hill we crossed over the Spray River. It had been 1 hr 10 min and we’d already covered a distance of 5.7 km. The Spray River has cut an impressive canyon through the rock which made a pretty spot for a quick break and some photos.

Looking up the Spray River.
Looking down the Spray River to the Sundance Range, Baker Creek enters from the left.

Just a couple hundred meters after leaving the Spray River we came to a trail junction marked by a Parks Canada sign. The trail coming from the south (our left) is part of the Great Divide Trail system, and takes a hiker down the Spray Valley and up over Palliser Pass into Kananaskis Country.

Heading to Bryant Creek Junction.

A short hike lead us to a lovely bridge over the tumbling Bryant Creek. Regardless of our need to keep moving to get to the campground before dark, photos had to be taken. Emily and Volcano posed nicely for the camera.

Bridge over Bryant Creek.
Emily and Volcano, there are mountains around, but the forest prevents any decent views.

Another couple hundred meters brought us to the junction with the Bryant Creek Trail, a distance of 6.5 km from the car. We would be hiking the Bryant Creek Trail for the next 6 km before turning off to go to our campsite at Marvel Lake. If you were to follow the Bryant Creek Trail, it would lead up over Assiniboine Pass, from which you could hike to Mt Assinboine or continue north to Sunshine Meadows.

Junction with Bryant Creek Trail, stay right.
This is our trail for the next 6 km.

After 35 minutes of good forest hiking, we arrived at Big Springs Campground, which is listed as Br 9 by Parks Canada. The code for the campsite indicates the trail and distance. The Br stands for Bryant, and it is 9 km from the trailhead. The distances quoted by Parks Canada are not always accurate, but for Big Springs, it was spot on.

Welcome to Big Springs Campsite.

The campground looked very nice and had a lovely creek nearby. We crossed the bridge over the creek, stopping to take some photos and let Volcano have a drink before continuing on. Have no idea where the “Big Spring” is located that the campground is named after.

Emily and Volcano.
Volcano taking a good drink.
View up the creek to Cone Mountain of the Sawback Range.

The trail continued to gain very little elevation over the next couple of km, before hitting the steepest part of the day, with the trail rising just 75 m over 1.6 km. This brought us to the junction to Marvel Lake, 12.5 km from our starting point at Mt Shark.

Soft forested trail.
That is a busy sign, Emily pointing to our destination, just 500m to go. The sun setting on the peak of Gibralter Rock in the distance.

It was 9 pm when we started on the short trail to Marvel Lake Campground. I was pretty happy, as we would be setting up camp in the daylight. I was a little annoyed as it was an additional 1.3 km to the lake; I was hoping to get some nighttime pictures of the stars and the lake, but that would have required a dark 1.3 km walk on a dense forested trail. The trail was narrower and somewhat rooted, not the smooth path that we had been enjoying. We arrived at the campground at 9:07 pm, just under 3 hours since we left the car.

Heading to the campground.
Signs are not quite in as good as shape.

This not one of Parks Canada’s finest campgrounds. There is supposed to be 10 camping spots, and the campground was supposed to be fully booked. At one marked site there was absolutely no place to put a tent. Have no idea how Parks Canada thinks this is a 10 site campground. Arriving late, we were lucky that some of the people who had booked did not come, so we easily found a very nice site to call home for the evening.

The dirt is the path, where would Parks Canada like me to put my tent? On the bushes.
Our very spacious campsite.

The trees were very thick above the campsite, preventing any opportunity of viewing what could have been a clear night sky. We went over to the eating area, which was a bit of a hike from the tent, and had a quick bedtime snack. Food storage was in bear lockers. We headed back to the tent to call it a night. It had been less than an hour since we had arrived. We both read for a while to unwind, then turned out the lights. The plan was to get up at 6 am tomorrow and try to get to Marvel Lake while the weather was still calm, to get some photos of reflections off the lake. Emily emitted a feeble protest at the prospect of getting up early, but I ignored it.

Volcano getting used to the tent.
Sleepy puppy.

Day 2 Mt Assiniboine Lollipop

Mt Assiniboine Loop 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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