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
    • 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
    • Fish Lakes – Banff NP, Alberta
    • 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
    • Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
    • Mt Assiniboine Lollipop – Banff NP
    • Rockwall North 2020 Kootenay NP
    • Sawback – Banff NP
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
Menu

Day 1 Rockwall North – Kootenay NP

The Rockwall with Helmet Falls.

Day 1 Paint Pots to Helmet Falls CG, 15.3 km, Elevation Gain 750 m, Elevation Loss 420 m, 3hrs 38 min.

I finished summer school at about 1:45 pm and rushed out to the car. I was already dressed for hiking (the students did not notice since school was online) so I was able to leave right from school and drive to trailhead at the Paint Pots located on Hwy 93 South to Radium. Arriving in the middle of the afternoon I was actually luck to find a parking spot. The parking is for those hiking the Rockwall Trail but also for people who want to go view the Paint Pots which is a great little family hike. The Paint Pots are iron rich mineral springs that bubble up to the surface and spill over the top of the “pots” and paint their surrounding with a deep ochre colour. The Paint Pots are considered a sacred site by the Ktunaxa First Peoples of Columbia Valley so it is considerate if visitors look but do not disturb the pots and the ochre. The trail for the Paint Pots is officially just 2 km out and back, I measured it as only 0.7km one way, and does include a lovely bridge over the Vermilion River

Fresh, clean and ready to go.
Nice manicured trail to start. It will not last long.
Vermilion River looking north.
The trail becomes the low point collecting all the lovely ochre coloured water. Luckily there is a boardwalk.
Paint Pot.

Leaving the Paint Pots the trail heads up what would be a very muddy climb if it was not for the boardwalk. The trail stays very muddy and rooty for just the next km. This made going a little slow but as I was in a rush and wearing boots I just plowed right through the mud. Happily as I passed the first junction with Marble Canyon the trail dried out.

Boardwalk leading away from the Paint Pots.
Rough and rooty.
Trail Junction for people parking at Marble Canyon.

Thankfully the trail dried out and I was able to up my pace. Luckily for me much of this section of the hike was deep in the trees with only occasional views. I was in a rush to get the campground so was trying to maintain as fast a pace as possible. This did not mean that I did not stop to take photos but the stops were kept short. I stopped for a few minutes to clean up garbage that was across on the trail. Someone had dropped or dumped their dried meal packages. More maddening was that I had passed at least a dozen people coming the other way who must have walked right passed the garbage. I tidied it up and left it in a obvious location near a log to pick up on the way back. When we came by on Day 3 the garbage was not to be found. It took me 55 minutes to reach the junction to Tumbling Creek CG a distance of just over 4 km. I would be coming down this trail on the way home on day 3.

View to the south west to nameless peak.
Moving quickly not in focus. Distances up trail to Tumbling Creek Campground.
Still over 11 km to go to Helmet Falls Campground

Covered the 2.6 km to Helmet Ochre Campground in under 30 minutes. This included a stop to tend to hotspot on my foot. .I had completed 6.2 km in 1.5 hrs and had 8 km to go. With a bit of luck I was on track to make it to the campground in under 4 hrs.

Bridge Leading to Helmet Ochre CG.
Passing Through Helmet Ochre campground.
Looked like a nice little campground. Had new outhouse!

Only a few minutes after leaving the campground I spied a little tumbling creek on the other side of Ochre Creek. I stopped for a few minutes to take pictures trying to do a long exposure picture without taking my backpack off to get my tripod using well placed rocks. It worked pretty well. I then crossed a very sturdy bridge and stopped to take some pictures of Ocrhe Creek.

Little photo of a tumbling creek.
Quite the bridge but no horses.
Looking down Ochre Creek.

The next stretch of trail was moderately uphill.This was the largest elevation gain on the trail going 150 m in 2 km, not exactly steep. The trail then stayed well above the creek for the next 4 km. I did meet a few people heading the other way. A few were hiking just to Helmet Ochre CG but a couple where heading out to their vehicle. The only thing that impeded my progress on this stretch was the many downed trees. I lost count how many trees I had to detour around or climb over. It made the trail fun as there was not whole lot of opportunity for views with the thick forest overhead. I got lucky going over a tree at one point as I tried to rush over the tree and lost forward momentum and fell backward landing on my pack. Luckily there were no rocks or stumps where I landed making for quite a cushy landing. Falling could have had a much different ending and was a good reminder that even when rushing going slower can be faster and safer.

Heading up
That would have been quite the landslide to see.
Big tree.
Traverse above Ochre Creek. I believe that is Ochre Spring Peak (2777 m) in the distance.

The trail came back to the river just past the 10.5 km point which had taken me 2 hrs 45 min since I left the car. The trail did not so much as drop down to the river as the river came up to the trail. The trail would stay by the river all the way to the campground. There was very cool suspension bridge at the 12 km mark. It was a bouncy trip across the bridge. The first views of Helmet Falls came at about the 13.5 km mark, almost there.

Back to the river
The campground is just under the peak at centre, Limestone Peak (2879 m).
Trail gets a little wet for a few minutes.
It is quite the suspension bridge in the middle of no where.
Crossing the bridge.
First view of the Helmet Falls only 15 minutes from camp.

Flew by the junction to Goodsir Pass, that I would be taking later in the summer when I would hiking the Great Divide Trail. A log bridge crossing of a small creek lead to an open area and the Parks Canada Patrol Cabin (not occupied) and another view of Helmet Falls.

Almost there. Only a 12 km day tomorrow.
Little crossing.
Limestone Peak and the Patrol Cabin. The Wardens get the best views.
Helmet Falls. Does not look like anyone has been home for a while.
One last crossing.
Welcome to Helmet Falls CG.

Arrived at Helmet Falls Campground at 6:47 pm. Now had to find Ken and Neil. This turned out to be quite easy. I ran into a young women and asked if she had seen a couple of brothers who were camping here. She said that they were actually having dinner with them! Quick trip to the dinning area and I found Ken and Neil. After quick introductions Ken lead to where they were camped and had held a site for me located right beside a little creek. The campground is actually on a little island surrounded by small creeks. I threw my tent down on the spot and grabbed my food to go join dinner but not before I put a couple of beers in the creek.

My dinner set up with my little titanium coffee cup and dried food.

I joined in with the discussion at dinner. The young ladies that Ken and Neil where talking to had already had quite the adventure. One thing that kept coming up was the wine. They had brought 4.5 L of wine for a three day trip. They were being very generous in sharing their wine in effort to be both friendly and lighten their load for tomorrow when like us they would be heading to Tumbling Creek CG. Dinner was an extended affair with much talking and laughter. Ken refused my offer of a beer but Neil accepted. Of course I had a little wine to wash down my re-hydrated food. I got some pictures of Helmet Falls it was about a 20 minute walk from camp so I planned to visit early in the morning. Headed off to the tent to sleep at about 9:45 pm.

Helmet Falls from through the trees at the dinning area.
Short walk offered a much better view of Helmet Falls and the Rockwall.
Good night from Helmet Falls CG>

Rockwall North Day 2 – Morning at Helmet Falls

Rockwall North 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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

For more photos of these and other Bootwreckers Adventures

© 2021 Boot Wreckers | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme