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Day 2 Mt Assiniboine Lollipop Banff NP

Marvelous Marvel Lake.

Day 2 Marvel Lake Campground to Allenby Junction Campground, 22.9 km, 750 m, Elevation Gain, 810 m Elevation Loss, 9 hrs 33 min.

This was the feature day of the trip. It was a long day from beginning to end, but we stopped for extended periods of time at Marvel Lake, the overlook of Lake Gloria and at Mt Assinboine. There are places worth lingering, and these three locations are at the top of the list. I had a stroke of genius in the morning. I suggested, and Emily agreed, that we should pack up quickly and have breakfast at Marvel Lake. Breakfast for us is a 110 g of Logan Bread and a coffee, so it was really just making the coffee at Marvel Lake. We packed up quickly and left the campsite at 7 am.

Nice tidy campsite.

The trail leaves the campsite and quickly crosses a bridge over Bryant Creek. The bridge is much simpler than the ones that we crosses yesterday, but is more than adequate for the job. The bridge appears to be new, and remnants of an old washed out bridge was nearby. Obviously in the not so distant past there was a severe flood in the area.

The skinny bridge across Bryant Creek.
Bridge supports and an old trail, but no bridge.

There is a small pond just east of Marvel Lake, we took a quick detour to check out the pond. The early morning reflections were glorious.

Reflections in the unnamed pond.
Volcano never one to pass up an opportunity for a drink.
Panoramic of the pond looking west.

We only stayed at the pond for a couple of minutes, as the true prize was Marvel Lake (plus a coffee). We arrived at Marvel lake, and walked along the shore to find a nice view for breakfast. It had been 30 minutes since we left camp before we stopped to make coffee. Time for coffee and breakfast for us and Volcano.

Panoramic of Marvel Lake.
Our breakfast spot.
Emily has her notebook out, already the wind has picked up.
Volcano chillin by the lake.
Horace and Frosty hanging around, packs are ready to go, Volcano sniffing something.
Pretty Gurl!

We stayed for about 55 minutes, before figuring that we had a long way to go and other natural wonders to see. It was a glorious way to start the day. As we came to the end of the lake, there was an old boat and a house/shack thing, looking a little worse for wear. We also saw signs prohibiting camping at the lake, totally understandable, but a pity. It was about 800 m from breakfast to the intersection with the Marvel Pass Trail, which would take us to Wonder Pass. Arriving at Marvel Pass Trail, it had been 1 hr 35 min since we left the campsite, and we had traveled all of 2.7 km.

Wonder what the green shack thing is for?
Leaving the lake the trail offers two choices, back to Marvel Lake Campground, Br 13, or a short connector to Wonder Pass Junction.
Parks Canada making sure you know where you are, Volcano has gone the wrong way, we want to go the left (west).
We want Wonder Pass, turn left.

The trail continued as a forested walk. While a bit narrow, the trail was very good and gradually gained elevation as we walked above Marvel Lake. We emerged from the forest to an avalanche slope after about 25 minutes, which provided our first elevated view of Marvel Lake.

Emily appears to be trying to explain something to me.
Escaping the forest.

It was a nice trail to start the day, never too steep, lots of view in all directions. We crossed several avalanche paths and had to negotiate a couple of very eroded dry stream beds. We chatted all the way, discussing matters of great importance such as current state of pop culture. We arrived at the junction for Wonder Pass, having covered the last 4.5 km in 1 hr 15 min. It is now almost 10 am, we have been up for 4 hours, and have covered just 7 relatively easy kilometers.

Looking up at Wonder Peak on the left and Ely’s Dome on the right.
Crossing a avalanche path.
Emily taking in the views, Marvel lake and Mt Gloria in the distance.
Flowers in full bloom, lots of colours.
3 km to Wonder Pass, 6.2 km to Marvel Pass. Let’s head to Wonder Pass.

We are not going directly to Wonder Pass, but taking a side trip to an viewpoint for Lake Gloria. After a quick down and up, we started up Wonder Pass. The first part was defiantly the steepest section, rising 130 m in just 0.5 km. I was suffering somewhat on this part, luckily the trail actually flattened out for a bit before making a steady rise to our next junction.

Even Volcano looks like she’s working hard.
Trail has thankfully flattened out a bit.
Leaving the forest and entering the alpine meadow that is Wonder Pass.

As we left the forest and came to the higher alpine region of the pass, we passed a small snowfield still surviving this late into summer. Volcano having worked as a sled dog for most of her life has a great affinity for snow, and loves to have a good sniff and chomp at any snow we come across on our hikes.

Volcano checking out the snow under The Towers.

Volcano had a drink at a small creek draining Wonder Pass. One of the most exciting events on the trip happened. I spotted a lynx running in the distance. It had probably been hiking from us, but as we came closer on the trail, it bolted. We were never very close, probably at least 200 m away. yelled and grabbed my camera. Unfortunately in my excitement, I was never able to convey to Emily where the lynx was. She somehow did not find my repeating of “Over there, over there” to be very helpful. My camera was also set up for landscape photos, which is very different than what is required for fast moving objects. Alas, my photos are a little fuzzy, and Emily never saw the lynx.

The lynx, a smudge of brown running away.
Wide shot of The Towers, not sure why it is plural.

We arrived at our junction 10 minutes after the lynx, it was informally marked by a stick and a cairn. We headed back to Marvel Lake on a elevated trail. Initially our view was of Penny’s Peak As we continued down the trail, Mt Gloria and its glacier came into view. We were beginning to wonder where the overlook was, as the trail was diverting from what my app showed. We did persist and came to a wonderful open area with a view of the turquoise waters of Lake Gloria. I celebrated by tripping over a small stump and doing a complete roll over my backpack, luckily I did not hurt anything other than my pride.

The main trail is to the right, the trail we are following to the viewpoint is upper left, Penny’s Peak in the distance.
Emily taking in the view and not looking where she is going. Penny’s Peak looming large.
Emily checking out a pile of rocks at an intersection with a trail that heads up over the ridge. This is the trail that is marked on my Viewranger App, it is definitely not as well traveled as the one we stayed on.
Lake Gloria, with Mt Gloria and the Gloria Glacier above.
Lake Gloria surrounded by Mt Gloria, Aye Mountain, and our first view of Mt Assiniboine.
Our lunch spot, we hung out for 40 minutes..
The stump I tripped over.

We stayed to eat our lunch and enjoy our view for 40 minutes. It was then time to continue our trek, as we still had quite a way to hike and see, and it was now 12:20pm. We headed back along the way we had come, and rejoined the main trail. We stopped for a chat with a family who were hiking out to Mt Shark. They had come into the Assiniboine area from Sunshine Village and had stayed for a couple of days at Lake Magog. As we came to the top of the pass the vegetation thinned out, the landscape was dominated by grass and stunted trees.

Winding our way to the Pass.
Emily and Volcano at Wonder Pass.
One last look back.

We went over Wonder Pass at 1 pm, a whole new valley appeared before us. Accoriding to the sign, it was 5.5 km to Assiniboine Pass, which was halfway to our campground. We are entering Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park, and there was quite a bit of signage.

Nice clear signage.
We have a new valley to explore.
Lots of reading before you enter a BC Provincial Park.
A World Heritage Site, pretty exciting.

We head down towards Lake Magog. It was interesting how the trees return so abruptly as we descend, there is quite a define line where the trees come back. The trail is very well graded and the landscape is very pretty, meadows, flowers, creeks, waterfalls, it was a very pleasant stroll.

Very interesting part of the trail, as the trees were very spread out.
Waterfall, was quite far from the trail.
Simple bridges for stream crossings.
Flowers.
Tree growing out of the rock.
Flowers were everywhere, adding colour to the landscape.

A final boardwalk over a wetland brought us to the Naiset Cabins. we passed by quickly to get some face time with Mt Assiniboine.

Final boardwalk.
Our first unimpeded view of Mt Assiniboine from the front.
A view from our elevated bench.

Lake Magog campsite was visible on the far side of the lake. It was simply too far to walk to. It was 2 pm, we still had a bit over 6 km to hike after already hiking over 16 km. Volcano was amazing on this trip, but she was turning 12 years old, and I really did not think the added distance was worth a slightly better view. So we had a 20 minute rest, snacking while taking in the view of Lake Magog and Mt Assiniboine. The weather was very unsettled, so we decided we should get a move on to our campsite.

Headed over Assiniboine Pass. It would be a long day, but you could hike to Mt Assiniboine in one day.

The trail system in the Mt Assiniboine area is very busy, but BC Parks has sign posts at the major intersections. The trail was smooth and weaved in and out of trees and past through a number of large meadows, and had a couple short hills to keep the feelings in our legs fresh.

Cascade Peak in the distance, Volcano showing some signs of fatigue, following Emily.
O’Brien Meadow, looking north to Og Mountain and Windy Ridge, Golden Mt sitting on the horizon.
Trail leads to the O’Brien Meadow Group Campround, for groups up to 25, who knew?
Saying goodbye to Mt Assiniboine.

A short rise takes us to Assiniboine Pass, just under 10 minutes since we left O’Brien Meadow and about 40 minutes since we left our bench overlooking Mt Assiniboine. Mt Assiniboine Pass is nothing like Wonder Pass. It is heavily treed area, and there is nothing remarkable about Assiniboine Pass, other than being the high point between two valleys. We paused for a couple minutes to read all the information on the sign board, started our descent to Allenby Junction Campground.

The short climb to Assiniboine Pass.
The greeting to the pass.
On our way down, Emily still leading.

After a couple of minutes we come to a junction in the trail, hikers are directed to the right, nice Grizzly Bear warning sign! We pass a trail junction that leads to the Allenby Pass area. A large area north of were we are camping, including Allenby Pass is closed August 1st to small groups and to dogs.

Our little diversion and the Grizzly Warning.
Heading down, Volcano still letting Emily lead.
Views to the valley.

As we near the valley floor we begin to cross over many small creeks, keeping the feet dry becomes a challenge. We skirt along the edge of a lovely little canyon. A family of about 12 passes by us heading up the trail. They have small day packs, with the time of day, we figure that they are staying at the huts at Assinboine. At the back was the mother and two teenage girls, the girls did not look very pleased, and they were just beginning the climb to the pass.

Volcano moving back to the lead.
Small canyon.
Emily craning her neck to take in the view of Cascade Peak.
Waterfalls below Gibralter Rock.

After negotiating a small flooded area, the trail flattens out. We come to a nice meadow which offers 360 degree views, we pause to take in the scenery.

Sun setting behind Cascade Peak.
Emily looking west at the setting sun.
I believe that this is an extension of Og Mountain.
Emily looking east.

Five minute later we cross a cute little bridge and another 5 minutes has us arriving at Allenby Junction Campround, the time is 4:33 pm, so 9 hours 33 minutes after we left Marvel Lake Campground.

a robust bridge over a small stream.
Little short on details, BR 17 is Allenby CG, Br 14 is McBride CG and BR 13 is Marvel Lake CG.
Home, for the evening.

There are suppose to be five tent sites at the campground. Some of the designated sites had no space for a tent. Similar to Marvel Lake Campground, this is not a great example of what most Parks Canada campgrounds are like. There was evidence of work being done at the campground, and it did have brand new bear lockers. We chose a site slightly off the path. Emily and I set about putting up the tent while Volcano rested.

Volcano fell asleep on the first soft patch of ground she found, it was a big day for the old girl.
Tent sent up, pretty sure we both slept on some roots.

We explored the area a little, Bryant Creek runs nearby and made dinner at about 6 pm. Emily played a podcast about a South Pacific island that had its animal life destroyed by rats brought by explorers, and how a specific type of stick bug, that is found no where else, and was thought to have been extinct, as then found living on some tower rocks many miles away. Quite interesting. There were suppose to be other campers at the campground, but no one came, we owned the whole place. I tried to read, but I am not very good at it off the tablet, I kept closing my eyes. Emily read and wrote in her journal for while before calling it a night.

Dinner, listening to the podcast while the food rehydrated, Volcano doing some more resting.

Good night from Allenby Junction Campground.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Day 3 Mt Assinboine Lollipop

Mt Assiniboine Loop Home

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.

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#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
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