Skip to content
Boot Wreckers
Menu
  • Home Page
  • Hiking Day Trips
    • Aylmer Lookout Banff NP
    • Mt Allan Traverse (Centennial Ridge)
    • Mt Nomad (almost) – Kanananaskis Country
  • Backpacking – Overnights
    • Baker Lake 2020 Banff NP
    • Exploring Waterfalls with Volcano – Yoho NP
    • Fish Lakes – Banff NP, Alberta
    • Floe Lake/Numa Creek, Kootenay NP, British Columbia
    • Floe Lake (Revisited 2019) – Kootenay NP
    • Grand Canyon Corridor Backpacking Trip
    • Hermit Trail to Hermit Meadows – Glacier NP, British Columbia
    • Howard-Douglas Lake – Banff NP (2017)
    • Leman Lake – Banff, NP
    • Mystic Lake – Banff NP
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2016 – Ribbon Creek Route
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2017 – South Buller Pass Route
    • Simpson and Healy Pass – Banff NP (2016)
    • Stenton Lake – Alberta Wildlands Prov. Park
  • Backpacking – Multi Day
    • Arizona Trail Passages 16/17
    • Brazeau Loop – Jasper National Park
    • Egypt Lake Epic – Banff NP
    • Egypt Lake Exploration 2021- Banff NP
    • Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab
    • Grand Canyon – Tanner/Beamer Trail
    • GR20 – Corsica
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section C 2020
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section E 2021
    • Iceline/Twin Falls – Yoho NP
    • Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
    • Mt Assiniboine Lollipop – Banff NP
    • Rockwall North 2020 Kootenay NP
    • Sawback – Banff NP
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
Menu

Day 2 Egypt Lake Exploration

Siobhan at Ball Pass looking off at the Ball Glacier.

Day 2 Shadow Lake Campground to Ball Pass Junction Campground, 5.5 km, 143 m Elevation Gain, 64 m Elevation Loss, 5 hrs 45 min. Excursion to Ball Pass, 5.8 km, 310 m Elevation Gain and Loss, 2 hrs 2 min.

Hike to Ball Pass Junction Campground
Zoomed out view of hike to Ball Pass. The red dot at the top is Shadow Lake CG. Red dot bottom right is Egypt Lake CG.

This was a great follow up day to our challenging first day. The hiking for the day would be broken into two parts. Part 1 would be a relatively flat hike to Balls Pass Junction Campground. Part 2 would be a day hike from the campground up to Ball Pass which provides one of the most stunning viewpoints in the area (my opinion).

Water boiling for coffee. The beer was not for breakfast.

We did have a very nice sleep in. If there is one thing Siobhan can do well it is sleeping. I did not have the coffee on boil until 8:40 am. During breakfast we chatted with two middle aged fathers on a weekend escape from their families. They had lightweight camping chairs and they were more than happy to let Siobhan try them out. Siobhan really enjoyed the comfort of the chairs, wonder what she got for Christmas? We were packed up and ready to go at a very relaxed time of 10:15 am.

“Siobhan: Did I make a big show of the comfy chair, absolutely. Do I now have one? Also yes.”

All smiles to start the day.

The first part of the hike was retracing our steps back to Shadow Lake which took about 20 minutes. Shadow Lake was glorious in the daylight and we spent a few minutes enjoying the view. We know that there are Parks Canada Red Chairs at Shadow Lake but we never saw them. I think they are located at the end of the trail that runs along the north shore. The north shore trail dead ends so we never did explore it.

While our campground was in the trees the cabins at Shadow Lake Lodge are located in a clearing.
The water supply for Shadow Lake Lodge comes from streams located above the lodge.
Easy walking. The high water bridge was not necessary for us.
Not a helpful sign. Lakeshore refers to the trail along the north shore. We want the trail to our campsite at Re 21 which runs along the bottom of the lake which is where we went the previous evening and provides a clear view of the lake with Mt Ball as a stunning backdrop but could also be described as “Lakeshore”.
Beautiful mirror lake and reflection of Mt Ball. Going to be a good day for hiking.
Getting some last photos of Shadow Lake.
It is a beautiful morning. Siobhan heading over the bridge spanning the outlet to Shadow Lake.
This is an A+ bridge. The view is worth stopping and lingering over.
Reflections.
The outlet to Shadow Lake with Siobhan and the bridge in the distance.
The trail near the lake was a little wet and rubbly.

Once we left Shadow Lake it was an easy mostly flat hike to Ball Pass Junction Campground. The trail initially followed Haiduk Creek then with 2 km to go, the trail followed the creek draining Ball Pass all the way to the campground.

“Siobhan: We ran into a group of dayhikers and from Shadow Lake lodge and were joking about my fancy new air mattress and how I would rent it to them for a small fee. One of them offered me a lens cap as a joke but it turned out to be mine that I’d lost in the rocks in the shallows of Shadow Lake the night before!”

End of summer hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Sunshine but not too hot.
Hiking the valley bottom. North end of Haiduk Peak in the distance. The campground is at the base of the mountain.
Dried strawberries. Trail candy.
Siobhan “I could be on a broken leg and I’d hobble up a mountain for this stuff, might be better than fresh strawberries”
Easy hiking creekside.

We first arrived at the food storage and eating area. We stopped for a quick look before heading to the tent sites. Another lovely bridge took us over the small creek draining Ball Pass and led us to where the tent pads were located. We chose the tent site furthest back from the trail. One downside is that we had to walk right passed a couple of tent sites whenever we wanted to move from our tent.

Eating and food storage area.
Great sign. No distances. I am spotting a trend. Siobhan heading over the bridge to the tent sites.
The map is not very accurate. The “you are here” marker is by the sign of the other side of the bridge. We are very obviously right beside site #2. We would choose site #5.
Home for the day.

We ate some snacks and lazily got the tent set up. It was not even noon yet and we had the rest of the day to go explore. I put the beer into the creek to cool off for after our hike to Ball Pass and we headed over to the creek to eat our lunch.

“Siobhan: It was wonderful to have an easy day in our itinerary AND we still had amazing views and a great time.”

Chillin the beer. It would taste sooo good!
Tent is not set up until Frosty is on guard.
Enjoying lunch by the trail. It is sunny and pleasant but not overly warm as Siobhan has put her long sleeves back on.

We headed off for Ball Pass at 1 pm. The trail is a bit steep right out of camp rising 100 m in just over half a kilometre. After that little wake up call to the legs the trail flattened out rising just 80 m over the next 1.3 km to the base of the cliff where the fun would really start. We passed a lone hiker heading down. We made some small talk with him for a few minutes. I noticed that he had American thru hiking badges on his backpack. It was a little enlightening that after asking him what his itinerary was he simply had no idea. He was headed to K-Country but did not know any the campsites he was planning on staying at. It was pretty obvious that he had no permits. We wished him well and we both headed off. It only took 30 minutes to arrive at the base of the cliff leading to the Pass. I remember when I arrived here with Mikah on our GDT Section C hike in 2020 the sight of the cliff we had to surmount took my breath away. This time I knew that there was a steep but well graded path up the cliff but it was still an impressive sight.

“Siobhan: I also noticed that when the dayhiker passed he had a Pacific Crest Trail tattoo on his calf. Maybe he was so used to non-permit hiking…but please remember to get your permits so everyone has a place to sleep and to Leave No Trace (that means no wild camping where it is not permitted).”

The initial climb out of camp. Siobhan using the water bladder carrier that came with my pack as a light daypack.
The trail is easier as we approach the cliff.
Yes, we have to get up that. It is not actually that bad.

While daunting to look at there is a well designed trail up through the rubble. Shortly after heading up we stepped aside to allow a group to come down. They were a fun group of hikers laughing the entire way. They were staying at Shadow Lake Lodge and had hiked Ball Pass as a day trip. We arrived at the top in just 17 minutes climbing 120 m of elevation over just 400 m of distance. The view from the top did not disappoint.

The initial climb.
Switchbacking our way up the cliff.
Little steep here but the top is in sight.
View from Ball Pass. Can just see the end of Shadow Lake. the Mountain above the lake is Copper Mt (2795 m). We cannot see Gibbon Pass from there. The mountain in the distance is Mt Ishbel (2908 m) and is on the east side of the Trans Canada adjacent to Johnston Canyon.
Siobhan taking in the view.
Mt Ball and its glacier.
Frosty photobombing.
It is a grand view.

After a few minutes we headed over Ball Pass to check out the west side. The pass is quite long with a large plateau in the middle. Ball Pass leads to Hawk Valley on the west but the valley snakes around on its way down to Hwy 93 and the Floe Lake Trailhead and does not provide the views that you get from east side.

The actual pass is just a few hundred metres from the cliff.
Flat area at the top of Ball Pass.
Siobhan heading back to the cliff. Not sure what the plastic orange marker in front of Siobhan on the trail is for.
Almost time to start the descent.
Working down through the top of the cliff.
A last long look at Mt Ball.
Siobhan working her way down. The trail enters the forest at a place almost directly above Siobhan’s head on the photo.
Our reward. Ice Cold Beer. Locally brewed in Canmore.
Siobhan wondering why her social media won’t load. Lots of tape on those heels.
Siobhan: Very funny har har
No one can nap like Siobhan.
ZZZZZ, daddy snoozing. Best watched on computer in Full-screen. The skill of sleeping is genetic apparently.
So Siobhan, how was the beer?

At 5 pm we started getting ready for dinner and for tomorrow’s hike. Today’s meal was rehydrated spinach rotini it may have been kale rotini but it was homemade and it was great. During dinner we shared the table with the group of young people. There was about 6 or 7 of them and I would guess they were late 20’s early 30’s. They did not feel the need to socialize, as despite a couple of attempts by us they did not engage in any conversation with us. The behaviour was a little unusual in the backcountry but they were a large group. We would run into the again on tomorrow and even on the trail they were not interested in chatting.

“Siobhan: This was my first notable experience meeting people who didn’t want to chat while backpacking. On the Juan de Fuca, Mikah and I actually made friends since we stayed at the same campsites as other groups. These groups were always 4 people or smaller.”

We used tablets to purify our water.
Siobhan carefully collecting water.
Frosty guarding the tent while we go and eat.
Dinner. It was cheesy goodness.

After dinner we went and checked out the biffy before going for a little walk. The biffy was not as good as at Shadow Lake CG but it was not too bad. We wandered around the area working off our dinner getting a decent view back down the valley. Two other groups had arrived and now all the campsites where full. At about 7:30 pm we headed to bed. I read an article in my Scientific American on returning mountain lions to the Los Angeles area then watched the new Jumungi movie with The Rock. After making one last run to the biffy we turned in for the night at 9:30 pm.

Maybe rate this one as a C+.
Some landscapes shots before we went to sleep. The clouds had rolled in.
Good night from Balls Pass Junction Campground.

Day 3 Egypt Lake Exploration 2021

Egypt Lake Exploration Home

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

bootwreckers

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
Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the E Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

The day was sunny and the skies were blue, it was simply an amazing day to be on the trail.

Out day started out retracing our steps from th previous evening back to Shadow Lake.

After lingering to take in the stunning view at the lake we had an easy hike to our campsite at Balls Pass Junction.

After setting up the tent and having lunch we headed up the short but steep trail to Ball Pass. Ball Pass is in mu opinion one of th premier viewpoints in Banff NP. 

After exploring Ball Pass we returned back to the campground and enjoyed a well earned stream chilled beer and a nap.

Clouds rolled in later in the day but it only lightly rained.

Was not the biggest mileage day on the trail but was proof that a great day on the trail.
Photo 1 - Siobhan looking at Mt Ball and it's Glacier from Ball Pass
Photo 2 - Siobhan checking directions
Photo 3 - Shadow Lake and Mt Ball
Photo 4 - Siobhan on bridge crossing outlet of Shadow Lake
Photo 5 - dried  strawberries on the trail
Photo 6 - heading up Ball Pass
Photo 7 - Siobhan looking over the valley from Ball Pass
Photo 8 - heading down from Ball Pass
Photo 9 - our reward for a good day on the trail
Photo 10 - finding peace and tranquility in the backcountry 

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake a Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake area Labour Day Weekend, 2021 now posted up on our blog, link in bio. Another Grand adventure with one of my kids, @sio.mellors.

Our four day trip started at the Vista Lake Trailhead on Hwy 93 South. Up and over Gibbon Pass to camp at Shadow Lake Campground on day 1.

Day 2 was a short hike to Balls Pass Junction CG, then after a short break off to explore Ball Pass, in my opinion one of the best vistas anywhere.

Day 3 we hiked over Whistling Pass on the way to Pharaoh Creek CG, with a scramble up Pharaoh Peak, lunch at Scarab Lake, and a visit to Egypt Lake on the way.

Day 4 was hiking over Healy Pass and out to the Sunshine Village parking lot where our car had been moved to.

Lots of stories from this adventure,  was a lot of fun to revisit and write.

Photo 1 - evening as Shadow Lake

Photo 2 - pre-hike happy team photo

Photo 3 - Arnica Lake, where we had lunch

Photo 4 - the yellow of Larches starting to come in

Photo 5 - the golden meadows of th high alpine at Gibbon Pass

Photo 6 - view all the way to Mt Assiniboine from Gibbon Pass, about 70 km away

Photo 8 - mushrooms in the undergrowth as we approach Shadow Lake CG

Photo 9 - Frosty guarding our campsite

Photo 10 - still smiling at the end of th day at Shadow Lake

#parkscanada #parks
#shadowlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banff #backpacking #camping #lake #egyptlake #Egyptlake  #backcountry #family #familytime #familytime❤️
The trip summaries for Days 10, 11 and 12 from ou The trip summaries  for Days 10, 11 and 12 from our 2021 GDT Section E hike is now up on www.Bootwreckers.com, see link in bio

We had a great end to the trip. Day 9 was a short day from our wild camp on the Bald Hills to Evelyn Crk Campground. Day 10 was a spectacular hike up over Little and Big Shovel Passes to the iconic Jasper Skyline Trail. Camping at Signal Campground. 

Day 11 was an easy walk into Jasper.

The trip was an amazing experience over 11 days, I met and hiked with many people but big props to my kid, who for some reason keeps hiking with me.

Photo 1 - end of hike, looking off into the distance, across th Athabasca River at Cairngorm Mt. 

Photo 2 - morning Bald Hills

Photo 3 - campsite Evelyn Crk CG

Photo 4 - Reading before bed

Photo 5 - fresh bear print on the trail

Photo 6 - Little Shovel Pass

Photo 7 - Snowbowl

Photo 8 - Last grind up to the Notch

Photo 9 - looking east from the Skyline down through Excelsior Creek

Photo 10 At campsite Signal Campground 

See trip reports on our blog, 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 #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer. Day Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer.

Day 7 was from Waterfalls CG to a meadow in the Six Passes Route. Was a wet, moist day. Numerous creek crossings. Left the main GDT route at Maligne Pass and went off trail into the Six Passes. 

Spent the first night in an amazing meadow. With rain in the forecast we did 5 passes and the ridge walk in one day.

In one word the day was "Epic" . Was a spectacular journey. Huge day, 23 km and over 1500m up and down. So happy we did it, but we were so relieved to put in the tent somewhere flat.

Picture 1) the view of the Six Passes Route from the top of the first pass

Picture 2) me getting ready to leave Waterfalls CG

Picture 3) crossing a creek on a wet log

Picture 4) camping Six Passes

Picture 5) hiking Six Passes

Picture 6) sunrise pass # 2

Picture 7) it's a rocky climb

Picture 8) mmmm chocolate 

Picture 9) the final ascent on the ridge

Picture 10) happy to be home for the evening

See trip reports on our blog, 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 #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail Hike Section E is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

Includes the 2 days I did on Section D but aborted due to smoke.

Picture 1) Camp on Owen Creek
Picture 2) Camp at Lower Michelle Lake
Picture 3) Pinto Pass
Picture 4) hiking up Cataract Creek
Picture 5) Smokey sunrise over the Brazeau River

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on Decemb Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on December 31st.

Was very cold, -30C, but bluebird skies overhead.

Did a little snowshoeing in the meadow.

Saw almost no one above the upper falls at Johnson Canyon.

Fun adventure.

Happy New Year everyone.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part 1)

Fun day on the trail heading from Four Points CG to Waterfalls CG. 

The day started dry but damp from the rainfall overnight. As we left the Brazeau River valley and headed up to Jonas Pass the storm clouds blew in forcing us to get our wet weather gear on. 

I discovered shortly after that it is great to have gloves for hiking, but that they should be accessible, not buried somewhere in the pack.

The storm was quite fierce but luckily brief. We arrived at Jonas pass and were able to put our rain gear away.

The clouds would remain with for the duration of the hike adding some mood to the hike.

This was my second time hiking over Jonas Pass and Jonas Shoulder and both times it has rained.

We arrived at Jonas Shoulder. We took some time to enjoy the view and let off some steam. The rest of the hike would be downhill.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E. Req Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E.

Required a fun bit of scrambling to access.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E. This day was memorable Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E.

This day was memorable for a few reasons. First waking up to more smoke.

First photo is the sun rising over the mountains at 8:30am, shouldn't really be that red.

Doing the extra distance on day 4 meant that this day I had a 3.1 km hike from Boulder Crk CG to Four Points CG.

I could not extend the day as Emily was joining me on this day coming in from the Nigel Pass trailhead and the next campground on our route would be to far to reach on this day.

When I arrived at Four Points it was just before 8am! Must be my shortest day ever.

I spent the day reading and waiting for Emily. I heard her bear calling down the trail about a minute before she arrived.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing. Met some some people from Calgary who I had a mutual friend with, he used to be their cross country ski coach.

We went to bed reasonably early as we had a decent day ahead of us tomorrow.

The smoke was lifting as we went to bed. 

The last photo is Links' Happy Badass Bandana. Still miss my little hiking partner.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Boulder Creek CG.

Super fun day full of adventure and a lot of smoke. This was a big day, 32 km over Cataract Pass into the upper reaches of Bourgeau Creek in Jasper NP.

After the clear skies of my astrophotography in the middle of the night I got up at 5am, jst 3 hours after I put the camera away, to join my trail companions Jason and Bent for the day. 

The terrain was suppose to be rugged and the trail a little iffy so I thought it would be good to have some companions. As it was we got took two wrong turns in the first 15 minutes.

After several steam crossings, some with suspect bridge work, finally had to cross a wide stream and get wet feet. I had sandals, but my companions ploughed through so I figured I had to keep up.

I found a rock with ancient Indigenous petroglyphs. It is just off trail, but a good day and a half hike from any road.

We passed from Banff NP to Alberta Parks Wilderness area. There is wild camping in the Wilderness area, but good camping spots are hard to find.

I was going to stop for the day short of Cataract Pass, but it was so smokey I thought I would continue on.

We had lunch at the base of Cataract Pass. I used Frosty Paws as a table for my lunch.

It was such a big day I will conclude the trip in another post.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto La Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto Lake

On the night of day 3 I got up at 2am to take photos of the night sky. I was hoping to catch the Milky Way and I knew that the Perseids was going on, so hoping to see both.

I must have seen a good couple of dozen meteors during the hour I was awake.

I went to sleep in my hiking clothes because I knew I was getting up at 2am to take photos then we had a big day ahead of us so the breakfast wake up call was 5am!

I got so lucky with the pictures as in the couple's hours between returning to bed and getting up to start Day 4, the smoke rolled in.

Photo 1 is the Milky Way but no meteor. There are meteors in the following three photos.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #milkyway, #perseidmeteorshower #perseids #nightimephotography #astrophotography
Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first p Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first pass on the Six Passes route.

New post on www.Bootwreckers.com, preparation and plan for my GDT Section D and E hike for the summer of 2021 (see link in bio)

Learned a lot from last year,  still discovered some new things about hiking and camping.

First post has to do with all aspects of preparation:
- Gear
- Food
- Training
- Itinerary 

The GDT - Where everyday is an adventure.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E. Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E.

Relatively easy day from Michelle Lakes to Pinto Lake, only over two passes.

I started traveling with two guys I met actually at Yoho a week back, Jason and Bent.

Of course Frosty was on trip, enjoying the early morning at Michelle Lakes.

The first Lake is Upper Michelle Lake.

The photo of me at the pass is at the unofficial names Michelle Pass. Then it was up to Pinto Pass.

I took a one last picture back to Michelle Pass. Last picture is at Pinto Lake.

Great day, only got a little lost.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Jupiter and 4 little moons First try at astrophot Jupiter and 4 little moons

First try at astrophotography using my camera attached to a telescope, 8" Celeron

Pretty happy with results. Need to research settings for camera to get some colour on Jupiter, but for a first try pretty happy.

Taken from field near Two Jack Lake in Banff NP. Jupiter was over Mt Rundle.

#artofvisual #visualoflife #areyouawake  #earthfocus  #adventurethatislife #createscenery #earthexperience #primeshots #simplyadventure #goparks #wildernessculture #folkscenery #wondersofourplanet #amazingphotohunter #all2epic #milliondollarvisuals #sky_sultans #astrophotography #astronomy
Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #sunstar
#waterfall
#waterfalls
Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Sectio Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

Scored the best campsite on the trip at Lower Michelle Lakes. Had more own personal waterfall. Frosty as always had the best spot.

Spent the day relaxing, reading and watching the helicopter activity. 

Started the next day hiking with Jason and Bent who camped by Upper Michelle Lakes and did not know about the waterfall.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Peak.  Day 3 of our hike around the Egypt Lake area. Thrilled with the colours of the morning sky.

We had some rain overnight, but not much. The clouds lifted off later in the morning. 

Another great day on the trail with @sio.mellors

#parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada
Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP. Super fun 4 day Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP.

Super fun 4 day hike with @sio.mellors thought the trails around Egypt Lake area.

Shadow Lake was our first evening and was a lovely place to watch the sunset.

 #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #reflection #reflections
Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatche Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatchewan River Crossing to Upper Owens Creek.

First day of my 11 day hike from Sask River Crossing to Jasper. I was solo for the first 5 days before being joined my my daughter at Four Points CG.

This was only day I actuall slept on my own.

I left Sask River Crossing at 12:30pm followed an old road that intersected th GDT just past the park gates.

Hiked until about 6:30pm as I wanted to camp near tree line for a clear view of th nights sky. The sky was clear and the Perseids Meteor shower was on and did not disappoint 

Photo 1) my tent and the Milky Way

Photo 2) Me getting ready to  head out

Photo 3) view looking West along th north Saskatchewan River

Photo 4) water dropping into the canyon on Owens Creek

Photo 5) the slide that gave people grief earlier in the summer was passable at creek level

Photo 6) the confluence was a mess a hard going

Photo 7) nice waterfall after th confluence

Photo 8) little Canyon near upper reaches of th creek

Photo 9) dinner cooking in th kitchen

Photo 10) Frosty Paws, me and my tent

Was a great day out on th trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Load More Follow on Instagram

For more photos of these and other Bootwreckers Adventures

© 2022 Boot Wreckers | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme