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Day 1 Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov Park 2016

Ribbon Creek as ti tumbles over the headwall.

Day 1 Kananaskis Village to Ribbon Lake Campground 12.2 km 810 m Elevation Gain, 4 hrs 35 min.

The hike to Ribbon Lake Campground was a tale of two hikes. The majority of the distance was following Ribbon Creek as it made it way along the valley, rising just 310 m in 10 km. The second part of the hike involved hiking over the valley headwall via the chains, accumulating 290 m of elevation in 2.5 km.

Having parked in near the hotel in Kananaskis Village we were off down the trail at 12:30 pm. It was a warm sunny day and there were many people around. We were quickly reminded where we were as we came across a pile of bear scat only 4 minutes into the hike.

Great overview of our planned hike. We parked at the centre of the map. Had to work our way over to Ribbon Creek, up over the “cliff hazard” to the campground. Day 2 would see us continue over Guinns Pass, follow Galetea Creek to the right (east) then turn left (north) and follow the Terrace Trail (in light green) back to the car.
The initial hike was on wide cross country ski trails.
Butterflies on the trail.
Bear Scat! Good reminder of where we are,

The trails close to Kananaskis Village have lots of sign posts at the junctions so it was easy to navigate our way over to Ribbon Creek. We arrived at the creek in about 30 minutes. The main trail coming from Ribbon Creek parking lots runs on the north side of the creek. It would take take another 25 minutes to cross a newly constructed bridge over the river to join up with the main trail.

Signs of wildlife? Probably a dog and a squirrel.
Emily checking out Ribbon Creek.
Debris left over from the flood of 2013.

After checking one of the detailed maps that populate the trails we proceeded down the trail and up into the woods.

Our trail into the woods which would lead us away from the creek.

The trail through the forest wound in and out of the trees. There were not many views of the river but we did have lots of view of the flanks of The Olympic Summit on our right. We hiked for about 40 minutes before we came to the the bike racks indicating the end of the section on which you could ride.

Emily look up a very empty side channel of Ribbon Creek with the bike racks in the distance.

We quickly left the hot and exposed creek bed behind and hiked along a soft forested path. The river became rugged and more interesting with numerous small canyons and waterfalls.

Canyons and waterfalls.
Emily hiking among the Indian Paintbrushes.
Tumbling creek.
In case you get confused when crossing the dry creek, someone has made some nice cairns to mark the way.

We stopped for a snack just shy of 3 hours of hiking. After a nice 15 minute break we got restarted knowing that we had half of the elevation coming up over a very short distance. It only took us 10 minutes to arrive at Ribbon Falls. The falls were as stunning as always. We stopped briefly and continued on as there was quite a crowd of people gathered looking at the falls.

Pack covers are on, we had a light rain shower. Ribbon Falls comes into view.
Ribbon Falls, and a small hoard of people.
The falls.
Hand held long exposure shot of the falls, not bad.

A quick short hike from the falls gave a sneak peak of the upper path of the creek.

We barely paused at the falls since the lake was our destination. The path lead away from the falls in a circular route to gain elevation before coming to the chains to scale the cliffs above the falls. We crossed a couple of scree fields before heading up a lightly treaded path up to the chains. After quickly passing through the first set of chains we encountered a delay as the group in front of us scaled the next set of chains. To fill the time we followed a very skinny and exposed path along the edge of the cliff to a a view of the Ribbon Creek as it tumbled over the cliffs we were about to scale.

Emily leads across a scree field.
Life fighting to survive.
Up a short trail, not nearly as well worn as the trail to the falls.

The chains up the cliffs are in two sections. The first section is very short and leads to a small plateau.

The yellow marker at the bottom signifies the beginning of the chains. Can see a group of three scaling the second section. The person with the red backpack is waiting to start their turn .
Indian Paintbrushes in full bloom.
Vies down the valley opening up as we gain elevation.
Emily laughs in the face of danger.
Lots of sharp limestone edges to give the feet some grip. The chains give a feeling of assurance.
With a firm grip on the chains Emily carefully places her feet as she makes her way across the rock face.
The chains are a little low.
Emily heads up and around the corner.
Finishing the first set of chains.
The long exposure shot of the waterfall we viewed as we waited for the group to clear the second set of chains.

The hardest part of the second set of chains was getting going. Just as you got on the chains, there was a short flat slab. Once we hauled ourselves over the slab the rest of the section was very straightforward.

I really found the first step very awkward. The rock had been worn so smooth there was no where to put your feet. I used the chain to haul myself up and over. The rest of the section was on a nice angled slab but we both hung onto the chain for safety, it is there, may as well use it.

The chains continued up the rock face but where quite necessary. We did keep a hold of the chains since they were available. It was quite a fun bit of hiking for two non climbers.

The chains were very loose on this section not tight to the cliff.
More of hand rail. The path was smooth but it was very narrow.
Yes the chain is wrapped around the tree. Emily testing the structural stability of the set up.
Up we go one last section. There is a red arrow at the top in case you get confused on where to go.

It took just under 20 minutes to pass through the chains. The trail took us over to Ribbon Creek as it tumbled through a series of waterfalls. The trial went up over another fairly steep rock face before passing by one last waterfall.

Ribbon Creek making its way down the cliff. A hand held long exposure of this photo is at the top of the page.
Small pond and a long view across the valley.
One last little steep section.
Another hand held long exposure. I think I used my hiking pole as a mono pod.
Photo by Emily of me looking pleased, it has been a fun hike.

We arrived at the east end of Ribbon lake just before 5pm. It had been a little over an hour of enjoyable hiking/scrambling since we had left Ribbon Falls. The campground is at the far end of the lake we took our time walking the along the lake shore. The campground on this visit was very busy. We could many multi-coloured jackets moving around the campground. We took one of the few campsites remaining. It was 5:05pm.

Off along the trail beside Ribbon Lake.
A view of the campground. You can see tiny people.
Emily all bundled up brandishing some mosquito repellent. Guessing the skitters were pretty vicious. Using the REI Half Dome 2 tent. Great little tent. Siobhan is still putting it to good use.
The bear lockers and the in the distance the two rockets are actually fibreglass biffies.

We had the tent set up shortly and headed off to explore the lake and the campground.

The massive wall enclosing the lake forms a ridge from Guinns Peak to Mt Kidd Mt Kidd South.
Ribbon Lake, Mt Kidd in the distance.

Sometimes I enjoy going into the backcountry to get away from people and for some peace and quiet. The campground was packed and had more of a party feel complete fires occupying multiple fire pits. We made dinner on one of the new very nice picnic tables. After dinner we took advantage of one of the fire pits and chatted with some of the other campers. As the night wore on the overcast skies got replaced by blue skies.

Emily heading to the eating and entertainment area.
Keeping an eye on the flame.
Emily keeping an eye on our dinner. The two firepits are in the distance. The one firepit even has an old tarp to keep people dry.

We headed to bed as darkness fell. Day 2 promised to be a big day as we planned to over Guinns Pass and down Galetea Creek and then back to the car along ski trails. Our hike essentially circumnavigated Mt Kidd.

Blue skies over Ribbon Lake. End of another good day.

Day 2 Ribbon Lake 2016

Ribbon Lake 2016 Home

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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
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