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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 Pas.

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.

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

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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