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Day 3 Arizona Trail Passages 16/17

Desert magic.

Wild Camp on Ridge (-111.13407, 33.19439) to Wild Camp Slopes of Picketpost Mt (-111.16689, 33.26252) , 17.3 km, 778 m Elevation Gain, 1040 m Elevation Loss, 7 hrs 5 min.

Woke up at 7:15 am and left the tent at 7:30 am and for the second day in a row was greeted by a spectacular sunrise.

I spent the first few minutes taking in the morning scenery. The suns shining golden on the slopes and long shadows hiding the valleys. While I took in the surroundings and snapped photos Emily was busy packing up the tent. I did my part for the morning routine and boiled water for our coffee and retrieved our ration of Logan Bread for our breakfast. We have just about 110 g of Logan Bread for breakfast and it satisfies us for a good couple of hours before needing to snack.

Water boiling in the fire ring. Emily is in the tent packing up.
Our rocky outcrop and a lone cactus.
Emily enjoying her cup of coffee.

We get packed up and leave the campsite in under an hour. It is not a blistering pace but the initial part of the day is the easiest section of our trip. We will steadily loose 390 m of elevation over the next 15 km with only brief small uphill sections. Once we arrive at the base of Picketpost Mt the real fun begins as our plan was to hike 6 km and 595 m of elevation to our planned campsite on the top.

Campsite all cleaned up. Was an excellent location.
I am on the trip. Nicely graded trail as always.
Emily passing through a gate on the trail. I find this photo very interesting. The slope below me, a north facing slope is covered with prickly pear cacti. The slopes facing me, south facing slopes, are covered with saguaro cacti. Wonder why.
Looking back up to where we had camped.

Our route today was a gentle downhill stroll with one 40 m incline about at about the 4.5 km mark. Until we arrived at the junction for the summit trail for Picketpost Mt.

Our terrain for most of the day.

We hiked apart for the first part of the hike before Emily waited for me and we walked together for the rest of the day. We chat about everything as we hike. Current world events, current events in our lives, deep topics like the significance of quantum particles and lighter topics like favourite books or movies. The conversation just flows naturally as we hike. We are both somewhat easily distracted which can change the direction of a conversation quickly.

Water is a big deal in the desert. Someone has cached 4 L milk jug full of water.
New type of tree we found.
The soft hills have given way to stepped cliffs. The ever changing scenery of the AZT.
Came across this locker filled with water, about 9 km from Picketpost Trailhead. GPS (-111.14227, 33.2323) . We were fine on water so did not take any.
Love the volunteers on the AZT.

The trail moved in and out of small side drainages all the while losing elevation at a steady rate. At 10:30 am we cam across our first human on the trail. A fat tire mountain biker. It had been about 46 hours since we had seen anyone. We stopped and chatted for a few minutes, nice guy. We saw him again later as he returned to his car.

Our first human in days.
Those are some tall cacti.
Picketpost Mt.
The mountains in the distance are the Superstitions. I do believe that is snow on that peak at centre. The mountain on the left is Picketpost Mt.

We continued to get closer to Picketpost Mt. We would work around the mountain to the left west (west) to find our trail up to the summit. We came across a small stream. The trail followed the stream for a short while. So we checked out the stream and the water appeared to be clean and free of silt so we decided to filter some water to top up our supply. Even though we felt like we were getting close to heading up. It would be another 4.2 km before we arrived at our junction.

Emily put me to work filtering the water while she took the pictures.
Working our way around the mountain.
Picketpost Mt.

You could tell that there was more moisture in the ground as the variety of plant life had increased dramatically.

The area was teeming with a wide variety of plants.
The vegetation is almost thick.
In a few weeks the desert will be in full bloom and full of colour. Here a pincushion cactus is budding up a nice yellow.

After 5 hrs and 10 min and 15 km we arrived at the junction for the trail to the summit of Picketpost Mt. We stopped for a short break to drink up and have snacks for what we thought would be the most demanding part of the trip.

The words on the pole say “Picketpost Summit Trail.
The initial gradient is not very steep and includes a couple of switchbacks.

We had only hiked for 6 or 7 minutes when we met up with two older hikers coming down. The asked where we were from and after we said Canmore, Alberta , they proceeded to pull our legs for a bit. They listed off all sorts of small Alberta towns, making themselves sound like they knew Alberta but not completely. They finally admitted that they were from the Calgary area and of course knew exactly where we lived. They put a seed of doubt in my mind when they said that getting to the summit required going up a chimney that for the first time in their memory had water flowing down it. I have done lots of scrambling in the past but not a lot recently. I was not very excited about working my way up a wet chimney with a backpacking pack on then having to come down again tomorrow. I am quite sure Emily knew I was not thrilled at the news of chimney and some scrambling but she did not let on. After about 8 minutes chatting we said our goodbyes and headed up the hill. The thoughts of the upcoming chimney running amok inside my head.

I thought the rock looked like a T-Rex rising out of the ridge. Emily just shook her head. The yellow on the rocks is more lichen. What appears as the eye is probably a slab that recently fell off.
The trail takes us basically straight up. Then along the cliff face to the right and the chimney is in the shadows.

The trail was wide and took us through a couple of switchbacks. Then we hit the steep slopes of the mountain and the trail went straight up and we were faced frequently with several choices as previous hikers had looked for different ways around the different obstacles.

The trail is really starting to go up.
Very steep.
Emily taking in the view and collecting her thoughts.

The trail was poorly defined and very steep. The dirt sections of the trail was very gravely and slippy. Hiking poles were a must and I still slipped frequently. As we approached the cliff face Emily let me know that she did not want to continue up any further. A combination of the steepness, pack weight, lack of traction and a wet chimney had convinced Emily that it was not worth it to continue to the top. I was totally fine with the decision as I had already decided that I was going to say no to the chimney. We went a little higher and found a place to sit to enjoy a snack and the view that we had earned before heading down.

Emily approaching the cliff.
Our view from our high perch.
Guess the chimney will have to wait for a different trip.
The tall peak in the centre is Weaver’s Needle. There is a hiking loop around the peak and an easy but technical climb to the summit.

The average incline of the climb was 250 m/km, which is very steep. The last section actually rose 104 m in just 150 m of distance or 693 m/km! Emily’s hiking shoes being worn out did not help her on the way down. We both relied heavily on our hiking poles to prevent from slipping. We worked our way steadily down until we came to where there was just the one main trail.

Emily beginning the descent.
I know this picture is not quite in focus but I put a red dot where we camped for the evening and in the upper right corner are the cars parked at the Picketpost Trailhead.
The trail will flatten out once we reach the ridge at about 2/3 the way up the picture.
Emily making her way down a little cliff.

Even though we could see the car we had decided that we wanted to camp another night. We kept a look out for potential campsites and again climbing a little ridge found a great flat spot with a view of both Picketpost Mt and the valley below.

An almost flat trail.
Does not look so bad from here.
The crescent moon above Picketpost Mt

We finished our hike at 3:30 pm, pretty early for us. Since we were almost completed Passages 16 and 17 we decided to celebrate our trip with an afternoon coffee 🙂

We were in no rush to make dinner. So I set up the tent and took photos of the scenery and the setting sun. Emily took some time to herself to journal in her notebook.

Emily journalling.
Emily enjoying her dinner.
The sun setting through a teddy bear cholla.
Desert sunsets are simply amazing.
Frosty Paws keeping tabs on our tent. Great camping spot, can only spot at least 4 different types of cacti. Careful where you put your feet.

We continued to read our book by Chris Townsend. Usually I do all the reading but this night we took turns. We read for about 90 minutes before calling it a night. I got up at 3 am to take pictures again. Somehow wherever I am I a can find Orion.

Good Night from the slopes of Picketpost Mt.

AZT Passages 16/17 Day 4

AZT Passages 16/17 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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