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Day 2 Mystic Lake Banff NP

Early morning at Mystic Lake

Day 2 Mystic Valley Campground to Moose Meadows Trailhead, 19.3 km, 349 m elevation gain, 839 m elevation loss, 6 hrs 5 min

Even though we had almost the entire day to hike out to Moose Meadows, I did have a family dinner commitment in Calgary in the evening, so I was up early and out of the tent by 6:15am. It had rained overnight, the trees in the campground kept most of the water off. I gave Volcano a little walk around the campground, then we headed over to the food storage to feed Volcano and collect our food for breakfast.

Good morning from Mystic Valley
Volcano ignoring her mat.

When Emily and I did the GR20, we had coffee and oatmeal for breakfast. While having a hot meal at breakfast is wonderful, it is time consuming to heat and eat the oatmeal. For this trip, we still had a hot cup of coffee, but switched out the oatmeal for Logan Bread (for the recipe we use, follow the link Wild Backpacker). Logan bread is dense, dry baked product, that travels great and provides a hearty snack, or breakfast. We ate 100g chunks of Logan Bread, and it was a satisfying breakfast, and easy to eat as we tore down the campsite. This easily saved us 10 – 15 minutes in our morning routine, not a big deal on this trip, but nice if you have a big day to accomplish.

Coffee and Logan Bread for breakfast, the breakfast of champions, and us.

The sun poked up over the horizon just after 7:00 am. The day looked good, but the weather forecast had threatened possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. We hit the trail by 7:25 am.

Volcano checking out the campground as the sun rises over the horizon.

The campground was a hill with the creeks draining Mystic Pass to our north and Mystic Lake to the south. We veered away from the Mystic Pass creek and traveled on a rocky, rooted trail beside the creek draining Mystic Lake. We came to a nice, robust bridge over the creek after about 8 minutes, and arrived at the junction to Mystic Lake after about 10 minutes and a distance of 800 m from Mystic Valley Campground.

The trail leaving the campground, wet, muddy, rocky and rooty.
Very sturdy bridge over a small creek.
Well marked junction to Mystic Lake.

An easy hike to lake was punctuated by a small obstacle. Parks Canada had made a simple bridge crossing from two logs, but the logs had rotted out and collapsed. The water was not very deep, but I decided to carry Volcano across by the harness, as Volcano is not the most precise walker, and I was afraid she would fall of. It was difficult to carry her and not fall off myself. Volcano put me to shame on our return trip when she just walked easily over the logs without a problem.

Not one of Parks Canada’s better bridges, and maybe I should have just let Volcano walk across.

We came across a small pond. The water was smooth so I stopped for pictures.

Continuing on, we arrived at Mystic lake about 20 minutes and 1.3 km after leaving the campground.

Volcano arriving at Mystic Lake
Emily and Volcano taking in the view of Mystic Lake.
Pays to get up early for reflections.
Mystic Mountain reflection in the Lake
A panorama of Mystic Lake

We spent several minutes taking in the view, Mystic Lake was one of the highlights of the trip, and no point in rushing. Just before we left, I was looking in the water, and I notices shells among the rocks . I was surprised to see shells in a alpine lake, I did not think mollusks would live in the cold alpine water of the Canadian Rockies.

Shells among the rocks.

On the way back to the junction with the main trail, we came back to the little bridge crossing, while we debated on what to do, Volcano just charged across, no problem. We arrived back at the junction with the main trail, it had been 35 minutes since we left the campground, and our side trip to Mystic lake had taken about 25 minutes.

Another view of the water crossing.
Back on the main trail, heading to Mystic Pass.

To the top of Mystic pass it is a distance of about 3.5 km and elevation gain of 280 m from the junction with the trail to Mystic Lake. The trail improves as we leave the junction, it is wide, well graded and not as rocky as earlier. We cut up through very old growth forest. We came to a stream draining a small unnamed lake above Mystic Lake, it provided a pretty view as it tumbled down through forest.

View of the creek, down a very steep slope.
Not sure what plant this is, they occur frequently along the trail, but by themselves.
Crossing the stream draining the unnamed lake.

The trail flattens out a little after the stream crossing, but continues on a steady ascent to the pass. After hiking steadily for 30 minutes, we come out on a avalanche path providing us our first views of Mystic Pass. We have covered half the elevation to the pass.

After passing through the avalanche pass, we plunged back into the forest. In the forest, we found some small patches of snow, as a retired sled dog, Volcano enjoyed sniffing and playing in the snow.

Small patches of snow still clinging in shady depressions.

The trail then leveled off and the trees started to thin out. We past through some small meadows. Finally we cleared the the forest. We paused to take some photos and take in the view.

Emily enjoying a flatter section of trail, flowers are blooming.
S small marshy area near the top.
View down the valley draining the pass, the valley is the fault formed between the rock layers on either side.
High alpine flowers clinging to a rock face thriving in harsh conditions.
The sun is just rising on us as we come towards to the top of the pass.

We continued on, passing through rocky alpine meadows, some more snow fields for Volcano to enjoy and arrived at the top of the pass at 9:03 am, it had taken 1 hr 15 minutes to travel the 3.5 km from the junction with Mystic Lake

The alpine meadows of Mystic Pass
Emily looking back to enjoy the view.
View back to Mystic Valley
Emily rising past a snow field, the trail has lost it loamy surface and is now a rocky shale.
Volcano surveying the view of the Mystic Pass.

We stopped for a snack break, and enjoyed the views provided by the pass. Leaving the pass, we would descend into a long valley, dropping 530 m over 7 km before arriving at Larry’s Camp Campground.

Group photo at the top of the pass, Frosty Paws and Horace joining in on the fun.
Looking back to the south, from where we had come from.
Off we go, the trail is narrow, but good.

We dropped down into a nice meadow, quickly cross, and up a small gully with some snow that Volcano checks out. The transition from the grassy meadows of the alpine, to the forest marking the beginning of the decent is quite abrupt. We entered the forest and headed down the steepest section of trail on the hike, we lose 240 m in 1.4 km.

A final small uphill through a little gully, Volcano enjoying the snow.
The transition to the forest, trail is a little bit rocky.
View northward up the valley.

The trail was steep, with some switchbacks, but I am happy we are not coming up this. Flowers along the trail add some colour to the hike.. The sun rising higher into the sky gave us some warmth in the shade of the trees, and made a nice sun star.

Flowers on the trail.
It was a brilliant morning

We came across a waterfall, about 1 km after leaving the pass. I scrambled down a steep slope to get some photos, maybe would have been easier if had taken off my backpack.

View of the waterfall from trail.
Quite a nice little waterfall.

The trail continued to descend steeply after the waterfall for another half a kilometer, before flattening out for a couple of kilometers. We passed by a massive slope of broken rocks. It is said to be inhabited by a large population of pikas, maybe we were too early, because we did not see or hear any. We met a couple of trail runners working their way up the pass, these were the first people we had seen since we had spotted someone at Cockscomb Campground the day before.

Somewhere in this rockpile, there are lots of pikas sleeping.

We escaped the trees for a short while and the views opened to show the magnificent mountains surrounding the valley.

Views of the ridge to right as we descend the valley.
It was a glorious morning for a hike.

The trail wound its way through the forest, with some small ups, but mostly down. We crossed a small marsh, that was very densely vegetated. It was still early in the day, and the sun had not evaporated the morning dew, so I got completely soaked passing through the marsh. Luckily it was warm out and my clothes were quick dry.

Volcano steadily leading the way would not know that she is 12 years old.
I am so wet, was as if I had been in a short rain shower.

The trail continued to lose elevation steadily for the next km, but then abruptly dropped 100 m in just 0.5 km, bringing us to a bridge over Johnston Creek. We had traveled 5 km from the top of the pass in 1 hr 20 minutes. We had covered a total of 10 km in 3 hrs 15 minutes. Volcano quickly crossed the bridge, her bridge crossings have improved a lot since she first crossed a bridge hiking Heart Creek and almost fell off.

Volcano and Emily crossing over Johnston Creek.

It is one kilometer from the bridge to Larry’s Camp Campground, we quickly arrived at the campground and decided to take our packs off and enjoyed a rest beside the fast flowing creek.

A bit rooty, but a nice wide trail following the creek.
Parks Canada amazing backcountry signage.
Emily and Volcano relaxing, we have done 10 km, have just under 9 km to go.
Nice wooded campsites.
The campsites are all on the other side of of the creek from where had our break.

After a 15 minute break we headed across the bridge to where the campsites were. The trail leading away from camp was very wide and smooth. The tail weaved its way through the forest, closely following the creek. It is about 2 km to the Ink Pots, where we were planning on having lunch. As we approached the Ink Pots, the trail become more open, allowing us views of the mountains, but also of the threatening skies that lay to the west.

There are some small water crossing s and marshy sections between Larry’s Camp and the Ink Pots.
Heading across an open meadow, some menacing clouds over Mt Ishbel
Numerous little bridge crossings on the way to the Ink Pots.
A very old Parks Canada Sign just before the Ink Pots

We approached the Ink Pots at 11:40 am, we decided to have lunch before crossing the bridge to the Ink Pots. We could see that there were crowds of people visiting the Ink Pots, and wanted a quieter place for to enjoy our lunch. There was a dry stream bed with a plank over it, acting as a bridge. During the spring, there would be water flowing, but now it was dry. With no water in the stream bed, it looked like a bench, so we decided to eat out lunch on the “bench” away from the crowds of people.

Volcano eying our lunch

Quite a few groups passed by as we ate our lunch, most intent on exploring just a little further towards Larry’s Camp. We did meet a young couple who had overly ambitious plans to hike to Mystic Lake and go fishing, before hiking back the entire way to their car. It was noon, and they had about 30 km of hiking left to do, and only the guy had a pack and it was small. They also had no idea of distances, as they thought that they had done 13 km, when in fact from the road it is only about 7 km. I did suggest that it was a long way and with a big climb, but they seemed determined to do keep going. Emily and I both agreed that the trip would probably peter out up the climb to the pass. I did remember later that there where signs prohibiting fishing at Mystic Lake.

We finished our lunch, so we packed up and set sail for the parking lot. We have been to the Ink Pots many times in the past, so we hiked on by without stopping for look. There is a a bit of climbing as you leave the Ink Pots, about 100 m in 1.5 km, not a big deal, but it had been pretty flat for the last while, and we had just had lunch, so we were both pretty energerized .

We met a group of about 10 young people who were heading out on a 20 day trip, Emily was jealous. Later we met a group of young women heading to Larry’s Camp. There are lots of people who visit the Ink Pots, and they mostly come from Johnston Canyon. By parking the car at Moose Meadows, we avoided the most of the crowds viewing the canyon by when we veered away from the main trail on the Moose Meadows cut off, giving us a fairly peaceful last 3 km to the car

Some Indian Paint brushes in full bloom.
Parts of the trail to the parking lot are a little rooty.

We arrived back at the car, at 1:30 pm, 6 hrs and 5 min after we left the campsite, I had lots of time to make my family dinner.

Mystic Lake 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.

#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
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