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Day 1 Stenton Lake, Alberta Wildlands Prov. Park

High altitude trip route right outside our front door.

Day 1 Front Door to Stenton Lake, 18.5 km, 1319 m Elevation Gain, 385 m Elevation Loss, 8 hrs 20 min.

Volcano was a very keen hiker and had got excited when she recognized my backpack. I felt that the hike would not be appropriate for Volcano, too rough and too much elevation. I tried to fool Volcano by putting my backpack into the garage. When Micah arrived we left through the garage not wearing any backpacks. Laura told me when I got home the next day that Volcano was not fooled. She stared at the garage door for a long time waiting for me.

I cooked Micah and I both up a good breakfast of eggs, toast and fruit and after giving the dogs a quick walk we headed on our way. We left the house at about 9:13 am and headed up the street. It is just over of walking on the sidewalk to reach the parking lot at Cougar Creek. It was another km of walking on relatively good trail that brought us the Cougar Creek Debri fence. The fence was constructed after the flood of 2013. One of the causes of the flood was the large amounts of rock and gravel that the creek brought down and filled in the creek bed causing the water to overflow. The fence is designed to hold the debri (rocks) back and prevent the infilling of the creek.

The debris fence. It is about 20 feet high. Currently being replaced by a more permanent engineered that will be 34 m tall. Link to Town of Canmore video Cougar Creek Debris Retention Structure.

Once past the fence we would spend the next 2 hrs 15 min walking about 7.3 km Cougar Creek. There was no trail just a gravelly rocky creek bed. For the first little while we past climbers on the canyon walls but very soon we would be on our own.

Inside the canyon. the walking is good.
A weeping wall. In the winter there are thick beautiful columns of ice on the wall.

It took an 1 hr 10 min to reach Canada Forks, a junction of two creeks, we followed the left fork. The creek got progressively more rugged and the boulders larger.

Micah heading upstream. There are small pools of water in some of the depressions.
More flood debris.
The creek is very constricted in this section. Can you find the little hiker among the giant boulders?

The valley soon widened and the creek became a wide gravel bed. Walking is straightforward but good ankle flexibility on the rocks helped.

Small islands of trees survived the effects of the flood.
Micah pointing the valley rocky ridge that indicates the valley we want to turn up.
Something else has caught Micah’s attention.
On the east bank there was a small remnant of a path that once ran along Cougar Creek. It may have been washed away in the flood of 2013 or another time of high water.

Once we found the junction with the valley we needed to hike up we found a shade spot in some trees and took a 20 minute break. We had been hiking for 2 hrs 15 min and covered approximately 9.5 km. We did not know it but our hiking pace was to drastically slow down.

We able to follow a path through the trees away from the main stem of Cougar Creek for a short time before being forced back the stream bed. We thought it was rough before but the initial part of the side stream was even rougher.

Micah off heading up the side stream. This nice trail would not last long.
Back into a very jumbly stream bed.
The walking was tough but hard to get lost.

By carefully scouting the sides of the stream we were able to find some of the original trail. As time went on we got better at finding sections of trail which made the hiking much easier than in the stream bed.

A little more packed where the flood debris entered the forest.
Micah found a trail.
The trail while softer did have lots of dead fall.
Back to the creek.

My interest in geology always creeps in while hiking. Cannot help but wonder what causes some the features in the rock.

Large boulder in the stream bed. What are the dark intrusions?
Micah putting on their best face. This section was super tough.
Boulders that we have had to clamber over.
A sidesloping gravel path is preferable to the creek bed.
The thrust fault mountains of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies in full display in Cougar Peak. We have been hiking 30 minutes since lunch and traveled 0.8 km.
Up and over we go.
Catching some shade on a dirt trail.
Snow!! In July.

We hiked up to to a limestone tower that was a way point in Gillian Dafferin’s book. We took a rest beside small freshwater pool. We had covered 1.5 km in just under an hour.

Water is flowing.
It has been hard but fun.
The limestone tower

After a 15 minute break we headed back up the creek. The large rocks and boulders disappeared as we hiked up but the creek was now full of water making for numerous water crossings.

Micah looking for a way forward.
A grassy path.
Water crossings.
Traded boulders for water and logs.
Micah trying to avoid getting their feet wet.

One of the passages we read in Gillian Dafferin’s book was that we will be faced with obstacles but when approached they will “resolve themselves”. We came across a waterfall and a steep sided canyon. A faint trail led up a steep slope requiring some scrambling. I went first.

The canyon is squeezing in on us.
Scaling the wall.
Now what. We are running out of options.

Ten minutes after this waterfall we become hopelessly stuck. We had come to a junction with a smaller creek flowing from the south. Continuing to go upstream was impossible due to vegetation crowding the creek. We could see no way to continue to follow the creek so we hiked straight uphill to gain a better view of our situation. As we climbed directly up the slope the ridge that we believed we were trying to get to came into view. As we gained more elevation the trees thinned out somewhat and we decided we would attempt to follow the direction of the creek but hiking through the trees. We used our view of the ridgeline and the Viewranger App to keep ourselves heading in the right direction. We stopped for a 10 minute break for snacks in a small clearing.

Micah working their way across the slope. Cougar Peak in the distance.
You can see the creek we were following to the right of Micah and a creek flowing from the valley between Mount Charles Stewart South (high peak on the right) and Mount Charles Stewart SE2.
After our break. We have risen above tree line. The creek we had been following has turned up slope and has cut a canyon into the hillside. On the way back we will follow the canyon which is were the trail is.
View of Mount Charles Stewart on the right and the glorious ridge leading up to it.

After clearing the trees we followed the drainage straight up the hill to Cougar Col. Our stream that we had been following had dried up. We arrived at Cougar Col at 3:20 pm, 6 hrs and a distance of 14.7 km. To think we had completed the first 9.4 km in just 2 hrs 15 min. It had taken us 3 hrs 45 min to hike just 5.3 km. Being high on Cougar Col was spectacular and was only a taste of the views that we would be getting as we followed the ridge up over the high point and onto Stenton Lake.

Looking up to Cougar Col, almost there
Looking east from Cougar Col.
The valley looking across to the ridge that hides Stenton Lake. Stenton Lake is behind the ridge at centre.

There was no distinct trail up the ridge. So we just started heading up. After about 20 minutes a faint trail appeared where there was a discolouration in the rocks and the lichen.

Heading up that way to the high point on the brown cliff.
A faint trail in appeared in the rocks.

It was an amazing walk up the ridge. The footing was somewhat unstable but we made good time. Just prior to the high point we came across a marker indicating the boundary of Banff NP. As we rose up and over the 2600 m (8600 ft) elevation level, we gained views far and wide that to the South-East includes Mt Assiniboine. The expansive views that were on offer in all directions made all the memories of all hard work melt away.

Alpine views. Endless views of mountain tops.
Micah on he way up. Looking past Micah leads you into Banff NP.
The ridge became more solid and the walking easier.
View to Mount Charles Douglas SE2 and the valley we walked up.
Underfoot the trail has become a gravel like surface.
Just a few minutes from the high point of the day. You can see Mt Assiniboine through the gap left of Micah .

We did not actually go over the peak but once passing over the flat area where two ridges met we cut across to the left of the peak.

A lonely marker on the trail.
Will head up for just another minute before heading off the the left of the peak. The trail goes up the centre of the photo.

We went over the high point for the day, 2645 m (8815 ft) and side slopped through a break in the cliff. I had not done much high elevation hiking or scrambling in many years and remember being quite nervous about the down slope that lead to a cliff below us. On the way back the next I walked this section with no issues. There really was not a great deal of risk or exposure but we sure were a long way up. As we started to head down the ridge on the far side we came across a group of mountain sheep grazing on the meager vegetation growing between the rocks.\

Pretty straightforward from here, follow the ridge line and then drop down to Stenton Lake. The tall peak on the right is Stenton Peak.
Even among the rocks, life survives.
Follow the ridge and just at the second snowfield there is a path leading across the slope on the left which we will follow.
Herd of sheep on the hillside.
This is looking east to the upper reach of the Cougar Creek Watershed. The mountains form a T and create a barrier directing all the water to head down to Cougar Creek. the other side of the mountains on the left is the valley with Exshaw Creek.
Banff Park Boundary sign located just before we begin the side slope. The valley below is what I had been planning to cross and very glad we did not try to do that. The tiny snow field on the left is at Cougar Col where we were just an hour previous.
We have to negotiate a small cliff band below us. Then walk along the ridge before descending to Stenton Lake. Stenton like is below the brown/grey ridge. The far grassy section at the end of the ridge is beyond the lake.
Colour reappears as we drop in elevation.
We were both intrigued by the steeply dipping rock layers.
The name and types of the different rock layers along with the ages in millions of years.
West end of Mt Rundle.

Many people have seen pictures of Mt Rundle, a mountain that runs 18 km from Canmore to Banff. An interesting exercise is to compare the rock layers of Mt Rundle to those in the picture above on our way to Stenton Lake. On Mt Rundle the Livingston Formation is the topmost layer forming vertical cliffs, with the Exshaw and Banff Formations forming the slopes below and the Palliser Formation making the lower cliffs. The youngest rock layer is on top, so the Livingston Formation is the youngest layer on Mt Rundle. In our hike to Stenton Lake, the Livingston was the oldest rock layer (see picture above). So all those rock layers in the photo above on the way to to Stenton Lake have been eroded off of Mt Rundle. Another thing to think about is those layers that are at such elevation on Mt Rundle, all lie below on feet on the way to Stenton Lake.

For those familiar with the Three Sisters in Canmore. Big Sister is topped by Livingston (younger) while both Middle and Little Sister are topped by Palliser (older).
On a geological map our route in white over the different rock formations to Stenton Lake.

The trail was quite steep heading down to the little ridge that would take us to Stenton Lake. There was a cliff band to negotiate but an obvious trail had been well worn into the cliff. We hiked long the ridge and came to our first views of Stenton Lake, it was 4:55 pm.

Making our way down
Path leading up along the ridge.
Looking back the way we have come. Cougar Col is above the snowfield on the very right. We did come down the cliff band at centre left.
First view of Stenton Lake, Camping is at the west end. The mountain in the background is Carrol Peak. There is a trail that runs off to the right of Carrot Peak (east) that leads to the South Ghost River.

The trail started to head uphill towards a little peak on the ridge above the lake. Micah and I decided that we did not want to hike uphill anymore with the lake just there below us so we headed down towards the lake picking our way through the boulder field. It was quite steep but fun.

Super star hiker on the boulder field.
Two happy hikers. We have made it down to the grassy slope and are now almost done.
Just have to walk around the end of the lake. We would set up the tent by a large rock on grassy area near the gravel on the other side.

Once off the rocks and onto the vegetated slope it was just over 10 minutes to walk around the end of the lake and to where would set up the tent. It was just after 5:30 pm when we dropped our packs, 8hrs 20 min since we set off. Micah set up the tent while I took photos. Then we filled our air mattresses and got the inside of the tent set up. We started on dinner about 6:15 pm. We sat in the warmth of the setting sun drinking a cold refreshing beer that I had a brought to celebrate our adventure.

Micah setting up the tent.
The sun shining brilliantly onto our campsite.
All set up. Zpacks Duplex self standing 2lb tent.
A view east down the lake.
Micah in the kitchen.
Our reward for a great day on the trail.
Happy campers.

After dinner we went and explored around the lake. You can continue to hike west to join up with a trail that will take you east to the South Ghost River or west to Carrot Creek and Lake Minnewanka. We made a desperate attempt to do a bear hang. Unfortunately we could not find a tree more than about 10 ft high. While our food would not have been safe from a bear at least it was quite a ways away from us. If I was to go back to Stenton Lake I would be taking a Bear Canister with me. Once back at camp we took some personal time to reflect. Micah journalled while sitting on a rock and snapped one of my favourite photos of them.

View went towards Carrot Peak.
The long view of the lake.

The skies were very clear when we headed to bed at about 8:30 pm. The plan was to get up around 2 am and look at the stars. I was not overly hopeful of good skies since Canmore and Banff are sources of light pollution that are nearby but never hurts to get up and check out the night sky.

Good night from Stenton Lake.

Stenton Lake Nighttime

Stenton Lake Home

bootwreckers

First two days of my 2022 Great Divide Trail Secti First two days of my 2022 Great Divide Trail Section D adventure are up on the blog, see profile for link.

Day 1 was from Burgess Pass Trail head to Yoho Lake Campground. A relatively short day but a good warm up for the rest of the trip.

Big thanks to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. The Team totally rocked the trail.

Photo 1 - at Burgess Pass looking at Mt Wapta

Photo 2 - Flowers, it was a great time to hike to see all the flowers in August bloom

Photo 3 - Emerald Lake from up high

Photo 4 - at Yoho Pass, did I mention the flowers

Photo 5 - Duplex tent all set up with Frosty Paws on guard, and oh ya, more flowers

Photo 6 - the north end of Wapta Mt as seen from Yoho Lake.

Super fun little day, the opening a grand adventure.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Sound On. Video clips from my hike along th Supe Sound On. 

Video clips from my hike along th Superstion Ridgeline.

Was an epic hike, 24km from my campsite at Miners Needle to First Water Trailhead where my car was.

Wouldn't recommend doing all in one day backpacking, as the final descent down Siphon Draw Wash is brutal, but I did it in 10hrs 45min

Would love to redo th hike at some point and actaull stop and camp along the ridge.

I had enough water to stop, but I was enticed by the prospects of a beer to finish.

#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
Day 5 and 6 of our Green River Canoe trip from 201 Day 5 and 6 of our Green River Canoe trip from 2017 is up on Bootwreckers, see link in Bio.

The day started in the dark with a hike up to the Dollhouse to watch the sunrise.

After doing an bit of exploring including a short hike out to Beehive Arch we headed back to camp to pack up and catch the jet boat ride back to Moab.

No trip to Moab is complete without a stop at the Moab Brewery, I had a tall smooth Derailleur Ale to compliment my mushroom, Swiss bacon burger.

Once back home it was time for snuggles with the little fella who waited patently for us whole we were away. Doggie snuggles for the win!

Another epic adventure in the books.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Just some of my favorite photos from my New Year's Just some of my favorite photos from my New Year's Arizona trip to the Superstitions

#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
Just a few photos from my epic 3 day hike through Just a few photos from my epic 3 day hike through Superstion Mts of Arizona. 

I think it was Plan D or maybe E. Saw photos of th Grand Canyon and many of th roads there were closed, so good choice not to go.

Day 1 - First Water TH over to Ther Battleship via many stream crossings and camp near Black Top Mesa. Due to the heavy rains, water was not an issue.

Day 2 - up past Weavers Needle and over to camp below Miners Needle

Day 3 - Epic 26 km day up on down the Superstions Ridge Trail and back to the car. This was probably the second hardest day I hav e had on trail. The trail is more "route" very ill defined for the first 2/3rds of the way. Also includes numerous down climbs, I frequently tossed my poles down 3m (10ft) of more. This is not an easy trail, and the final descent down Siphon Wash is absolutely intense. After leaving camp at 7:15am (sunrise at 7:30) I arrived at the car at 5;45pm.

Needless to say I didn't do much Friday.

Will write more later.

Thanks to my adopted trail team, James, John, Kevin and Patrick. Four Med students from UofM who allowed me to tag along as the caboose for the first two days.

Now, time to fly home.....

#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
Sound On! About that hike.....it is not going to Sound On!

About that hike.....it is not going to happen this year.

A winter storm has come through, bringing rain, risk of flash floods and near freezing temperatures. At the prospect of hiking two or even three days in the rain, I kept hearing this voice in my head "You know, I'm not having any fun" , spoken by @kbsymington on day two of a four day hike, I could totally see that thought passing through my head if I went ahead with the hike.

I did meet my Trail Angel Bev the Kelvin TH and the scenery was just spectacular! I could hear the desert calling me. It was simply beautiful, but Bev didn't try to talk me into going and did say when I come back I was to contact her, can't wait.

My motel manger told me to go up Hwy 60 towards Globe, AZ, and check out the Queen River Canyon just after the tunnel.

It was a lot of fun to do a little exploring and it actually confirmed I made the right decision,  I got so cold in the few minutes I was out taking photos.

As I got back to the motel I was happy to see a ray of light at the horizon, maybe the rain is going to go away.

I also discovered my getting old hiking shoes leak.....

Planning on a 4 day trip around th Superstitions starting the day after tomorrow. 

Happy trails.

#aztsos #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
Happy New Year from Superior, Arizona. Getting re Happy New Year from Superior, Arizona.

Getting ready for 5 days on the Arizona Trail, passages 14 and 15, if the weather allows (could rain, hard, in the desert eh, who knew)

Now time for some sleep

#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
Day 4 on the Green River was another great day exp Day 4 on the Green River was another great day exploring canyons, hiking and of course paddling. Full summary on the website, see link in bio.

We started off the day exploring Jasper Canyon, found an amazing Anasazi house.

Then we hit the river and joined the Colorado River for the last couple of miles to our final desk at Spanish Bottom.

After dinner we took a quick hike up to Doll House, which we would revisit the next morning for sunrise.

A real mix of a day which made it a whole lotta fun.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial #river
Day 3 of our 2017 Green River Canoe trip up on Boo Day 3 of our 2017 Green River Canoe trip up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

15 mile paddle from Cabin Bottom to Jasper Canyon. 

Checked out Anasazi Petroglyphs at Cabin Bottom. Stopped to explore Turks Head Bottom where there were two sets of Anasazi dwellings. 

After a good day on the river enjoyed a beer given to us by some friendly boaters. 

Finished off th evening taking some fun night time photos of the stars and the tent.

Was an amazing trip with still one more day on the river and one day exploring.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial #river
On the river with Day of our 2017 trip down the Gr On the river with Day of our 2017 trip down the Green River, see link in bio for full summary.

Was a fantastic day with blue skies and warmer weather. We made two stops to explore Anderson Bottom and some Anasazi granaries that were located about 30ft up a cliff!

Stopped at Cabin Bottom where I dumped dinner in the sand but rescued it and got two free beers.

Finished the day off getting up at 3 am to take pictures of th Milky Way.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial

Always a great day being out on the river.
New post on the blog, background and Day 1 of our New post on the blog, background and Day 1 of our 2017 canoe trip down the Green River in Utah. See link in bio to our blog and full summary of the trip.

After doing the Colorado River in 2015 with my kids, this time it was just Laura and myself.

Owe spent a day in Salt Lake City before driving down to Moab. On the way we explored Wild Horse Canyon, our first slot Canyon hike.

We hit the river just after 11am the next day and while it was a little brisk we had a great day on the river with lunch and a short hike in Horsetheif  Canyon.

We camp at a place called Fort Bottom, where there was an old Anasazi structure and a house built by a would be cattle rancher.

Was a fantastic first day of a five day adventure. 

Photo 1 - Laura explore Wild Horse Canyon

Photo 2 - getting ready to start our river trip

Photo 3 - cliffs and arches

Photo 4 - canoe all tied up at Horsetheif Canyon

Photo 5 - Anasazi Petroglyphs

Photo 6 - Butte

Photo 7 - back on the river

Photo 8 - 1100 ft wall and Walker Cabin

Photo 9 - looking downstream

Photo 10 - Anasazi structure

Super fun adventure. More to come....

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
From my Great Divide Trail Section D hike this sum From my Great Divide Trail Section D hike this summer, a selection of flower photos from the first three days.

Burgess Pass Trailhead to Amiskwi Pass.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Angels Landing, Zion NP Hike 2015, trip summary up Angels Landing, Zion NP Hike 2015, trip summary up on the website, link in bio. Summary includes a few short videos of @sio.mellors
Giving her thoughts of the hike as we made our way up.

Angels Landing was a fun little hike with @sio.mellors at the end of our Colorado River Float Trip (Mikah had to head back home to work so missed the hike).

Angels Landing is unique with the use of chains along the route which has frequent exposure to shear cliffs of a 1000 ft.

The hike for us was quite straightforward except for the crowds. We frequently had to wait at a pinch point while 15 - 20 people came past going the other way.

In a effort to control the crowds today you need to reserve a time for your hike.

One of the amazing features of the hike is that the peak lies in the centre of Zion Valley providing for a a unique vantage point.

Lots of and a great day, Siobhan of course finished the hike with a solid nap back at the vistitors centre.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Day 4 of our Colorado Float Trip and Travel Day ba Day 4 of our Colorado Float Trip and Travel Day back to Salt Lake City are now posted, see link in Bio.

Day 4 started with a dark hike up from Spanish Bottom to the Doll House to watch the sunrise.

Both kids thought I was nuts, then they saw the sunrise and both agreed it was a great idea.

After the sunrise we explored the Doll House and then headed back to camp to pack up.

Our trip back to Moab up the river was in a Jet Boat, pick up time was about 10 am and the trip took a little more than 2 hrs.

We did not take a direct route back to Salt Lake City, but stopped by Goblin State Park, slept In Hanksville before visiting Capitol Reef where we hiked the Rim Overlook Trail and ate pie.

Awesome trip, cannot wait to go back.

Photos
1) sunrise at the Doll House

2) Siobhan (low), Mikah (high) perched for the sunrise

3) Exploring the Doll House

4) Me at the Doll House, wearing a red jacket, can you find me?

5) Jet Boat

6) The domes of Capitol Reef (they look like many of the State Capitol buildings in the USA, hence the name of the park

7) Fresh pie at Capitol Reef NP

8) Mikah at Goblin State Park

9) Mikah and Siobhan at Goblin State Park

10) the Goblin Army marching across the valley floor

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Go for a hike they said.....Great Divide Trail Sec Go for a hike they said.....Great Divide Trail Section D......Scenic Views with easy walking

Just finished 6 days on Section D, utterly epic adventure with the two of the most awesome hiking partners Lillian Zaremba and Sara (Dryas). The Team rocked the trail, couldn't have done it without you.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 3 of our 2015 Colorado River trip is posted, s Day 3 of our 2015 Colorado River trip is posted, see link in bio.

After th epic day prior this was a super relaxed day of just 13 miles and one stop.

Photo 1 - evening reflections at Spanish Bottom

Photo 2 - morning at camp

Photo 3 - breakfast time in our secluded backcountry campsite

Photo 4 - Mikah paddling back on the river

Photo 5 - a look at where the Loop Overlook trail brought us the day before

Photo 6 - investigating Anasazi Bottom

Photo 7 - Mikah and Siobhan at Anasazi Bottom

Photo 8 - Me at Anasazi Bottom

Photo 9 - arrival at Spanish Bottom, can see the pinnacles of th Doll House on the cliffs

Photo 10 - Looking down at camp at Spanish Bottom 

Another awesome day on the river.

Enjoy.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Day 2 Colorado Float Trip 2015, Little Bridge Cany Day 2 Colorado Float Trip 2015, Little Bridge Canyon to Random Camp on The Loop.

This was a huge day packed with ancient Anasazi ruins and various forms of rock art, and some big mileage paddling the river.

Full summary on our blog, link in bio.

Photo 1 - docked at the Loop Overlook Hike

Photo 2 - Siobhan and Mikah ready for another day of adventure 

Photo 3 - morning light on the river

Photo 4 - Big sky

Photo 5 - Siobhan and rock art at Big Bottom

Photo 6 - Mikah and Siobhan with more rock art, those hands on the wall were from a person living thousands of years ago, again at Bit Bottom

Photo 7 - Anasazi Granary

Photo 8 - Anasazi Granary Monument Creek

Photo 9 - looking downriver from Loop Overlook trail

Photo 10 - evening river vibes

Enjoy!

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
New post, throwback to 2015, our first canoe trip, New post, throwback to 2015, our first canoe trip, an adventure down the Colorado River from Moab to Spanish Bottom.

Posted the main page for the trip plus our travel day to Moab and Day 1 on the river.

This trip remains a favourite of ours as it was so different from all the hiking adventures. Although we did some hiking while on the river.

One of the great things about the trip is a person could go again, stop at different places and have an entirely different trip.

Photo 1 - evening on the Colorado, looking downriver from our campsite

Photo 2 - Siobhan getting a greasy meal at Five Guys in Salt Lake City

Photo 3 - with Wayne at the Budget Inn, Green River, and freshly baked blueberry muffins

Photo 4 - Siobhan getting ready

Photo 5 - Mikah checking their straps

Photo 6 - on th river

Photo 7 - happy paddler

Photo 8 - Siobhan up high taking in the view

Photo 9 - Mikah found their perch

Photo 10 - the view upstream from out campsite at Little Bridge Canyon

See link in bio to our blog and full summary of the trip.

Simply can't wait to go back.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Day 4 of our Labour Day Weekend trip through the E Day 4 of our Labour Day Weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP.

Hiked from Pharaoh Creek CG up over Healy Pass back to our car, now at the Sunshine Village Parking Lot.

Low stress day on the trail but the fall temperatures made for a great day in the backcountry.

Photo 1 - morning at Pharaoh Creek CG

Photo 2 - Chilly breakfast, yay for coffee

Photo 3 - approaching Egypt Lake Campground 

Photo 4 - fall colours and The Sphinx

Photo 5 - Pharaoh Peak 

Photo 6 - Golden meadows of Healy Pass

Photo 7 - looking back to the Egypt Lake area, can see Scarab and Egypt Lake

Photo 8 - view south all the way to Mt Assiniboine 

Photo 9 - creek crossing

Photo 10 - end of another successful adventure

Great trip, awesome hiking partner, @sio.mellors, looking forward to more adventures with her this summer.

For full summary see 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

Happy trails!
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
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