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Day 3 Egypt Lake Epic Banff NP

Good morning from Egypt Lake.

Day 3: Egypt Lake Campground to Redearth Creek Parking Lot, 19.6 km, 358 m Elevation Gain, 941 m Elevation Loss, 4 hrs 55 minutes.

The plan for today was to hike up Whistling Pass to Balls Pass Junction. It was not an overly long day, at about 10 km. There was the possibility of taking a side trip to Scarab Lake.

Not being in a rush we got out of the tent at 7:00 am. It had been a cool night in the tent. I had kept the doors wide open to keep a breeze to minimize the condensation buildup. It had worked nicely, as there was very little water inside the tent. Volcano had her fleece jacket on for sleeping but I had fussed during the night worrying whether she was warm enough. I had a -9 C sleeping bag and was plenty warm. During the night I covered her with my puffy jacket to provide extra warmth. She appeared to have slept well. I was probably fussing over nothing as Volcano had slept many years outside all year, but she was older and sleeping indoors on a regular basis.

Wakey wakey time.

I was happy that Volcano did not just bolt out of the tent. I want her to be relaxed when we go camping.

Volcano enjoying the tent.

We headed off to the food area for breakfast. Volcano has to have her breakfast right after she wakes up, it’s the law (at least in her mind it is). I was in for a surprise when I fed Volcano. She took no interest in her food which was a cause for concern. I put Volcano’s food into the Bear Locker and made a quick decision to head out to Egypt Lake. Early mornings are great times to photographs lakes to get a smooth mirror effect on the water. We rushed over to Egypt Lake and were not disappointed.

Egypt Lake, with a Volcano, The Sphinx and the Moon.
Egypt Lake reflections.
Volcano at Egypt Lake.
Looking west to an impressive rock wall, and Haiduk Peak just poking over.

We only stayed at Egypt Lake for about 10 minutes before heading back. I even managed to get reflections of Pharaoh Peak in the little pond.

Good morning Pharaoh Peak.
Arrived back at camp to catch the sun rising over my Zpacks Duplex tent.

We headed back to the food area to have breakfast. Volcano ate her food which made me feel better. I had my Logan Bread and coffees. We got back to the campsite at about 8:50 am to begin packing up. I had already decided at this time that we were not going to continue onto Balls Pass Junction but head home instead. It had been a fun trip but I wanted to err on the side of caution. I felt that Volcano would be happier to head home. When we did leave camp I felt my decision was justified as Volcano set a strong and determined pace all the way to the car.

Frosty keeping watch on Volcano as I pack up the campsite.
So long Egypt Lake CG and site 11, it was a good stay.

We left camp at 9:38 am. We were retracing our steps from the previous two days. With a major net elevation loss I was happy with the brisk pace that Volcano set coming out of camp. While the goal was to get back to the car. I did want to stop at a couple of places to get photographs that I did not take on the way to Egypt Lake. We arrived back at Pharaoh Creek CG in 1 hr 5 minutes. Volcano’s memory is so good, she turned left off the main trail back to the eating area.

Oh ya, the trail is wide and smooth.
Is this like the only photo of me on the trip?
Quick water break.
Someone is looking happy.
Looking north down the valley which contains Pharaoh Creek. That is Little Copper Mt behind the trees in the distance.
Maybe Volcano shares my love of geology.
I am fascinated by the way weathering has shattered this outcrop of shale. If one looks, there should be fossils to be found here.
Oopsie, made a wrong turn. Back at Pharaoh Creek CG eating area.

We left Pharaoh Creek CG and turned right at the detour to follow the new trail. I could tell Volcano was eager to head home. She was pulling hard on the uphills on the trail. Yesterday when we made our way to Pharaoh Lake Volcano fell behind. Now she was super keen and pulling hard. When hiking I frequently yell to alert possible bears in the area of my presence. It seems to work as I have not seen a bear on the trail when backpacking. As we were hiking through the detour after one yell, I had a yell back. I came across a family on their way to Egypt Lake. There was an older boy in the lead, followed by two younger sisters and then dad. Dad was carrying the identical pack to mine, Osprey Aether 85 AG. The pack was completely stuffed and had two sleeping bags attached to the outside. My guess is that the pack must have been 70 lbs. They had stayed the previous night at Lost Horse Creek. We arrived back at the Park Canada Patrol Cabin in 2 hrs 5 min, covering 9 km.

Hammering through the detour.
I had to email Parks Canada for an explanation of this sign, it is to advise hikers that there is a wildlife camera nearby, so your privacy is not assured. Not sure how effective the warning is since there is no explanation at the trailhead or online what the sign means.
Looking west to Mt Ball.
Close of the closed original trail.

We stopped for 20 minutes to have lunch at the Patrol Cabin, it was after all close to noon. I successfully defended my lunch from Volcano and we packed up and headed after a 20 minute break. We past a large group at the bike racks heading up to Shadow Lake. We started down the Redearth Creek Trail. Now heading downhill, our pace was very quick. I could feel Volcano charging forward pulling hard on the leash.

Copper Mt.
Nice day for a hike. Volcano actually pausing to smell the flowers.

We arrived back at Lost Horse Creek CG and stopped to allow Volcano to have a long drink from Redearth Creek. The temperature was definitely rising as we descended. We came across a large group of hikers with small backpacks heading to the lodge at Shadow. After chatting for a couple of minutes we found that they were friends with a fellow teacher at my school. This same teacher’s name came up during my hike up the Sawback earlier in the summer. After 15 minutes we said good bye and we set out to finish our hike.

Drinking at Lost Horse Creek CG.
Mt Ishbel.

We ran into a older fella (I was thankful I was not the oldest person on the trail). He was super friendly and super old school. He had an extrernal frame backpack with a fur lined shoulder straps. He had driven 4 hrs to drop his car off at Sunshine Village parking lot. He then rode his bicycle up to Redearth Creek Parking Lot. His plan was to stay at Lost Horse Creek CG. Then hike to Balls Pass Junction before hiking to Egypt Lake and out to his car over Healy Pass. We wished each other a good day and headed off to continue our respective hikes. We came up to the gate at the parking lot 45 minutes later. Our Egypt Lake Epic was over.

Volcano with the old fella coming around the corner in the distance.
External frame, fur lined shoulder straps, cross country ski poles and a smile. The epitome of hiking.

Egypt Lake Epic 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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