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Day 3 GDT Section C – 2020

Lake Magog and Mt Assiniboine (3400 m).

August 13th, Big Springs CG to Lake Magog CG, 18 km, 760 m elevation gain, 330 m elevation loss (all distances and elevation are as per the guide book, Viewranger App will vary), Section C Segment 16.

Day 2 had been a very trying day, but thankfully Day 3 was relatively short so we slept in and took our time moving once we got up. My feet were very sore. I was able to walk to get our food from from the bear bins (no bear hanging this time, go Parks Canada) since I could wear my flip flops around camp and they did not rub on any of my blisters. I was unsure of how far I was going to be able to walk today. We discussed different options including me heading back to Mt Shark parking lot and leaving the hike to rejoin after a few days rest at Sunshine Village. Emily was not happy about splitting up but she was determined to continue on to Mt Assiniboine where we were to spend two nights. I experimented with different layers of padding in my shoes. I tried a spare pair of socks to provide some extra cushioning on my heels and declared myself fit to continue with the hike. I would reevaluate once we arrived at Marvel Lake on whether I would continue to Mt Assiniboine. Once past Marvel Lake I was closer to camping at Assiniboine then to Mt Shark parking lot, and we did have a zero day coming up tomorrow when I would have an opportunity to rest my feet.

Our lovely campsite. Big Springs is a very pleasant little campground.
Extra padding. Would hike like this until Floe Lake.

To compound my discomfort I suffered some sort of reaction to my neoprene knee sock that I hike in. When I woke up my right knee was covered in zits/pimples on the side and all around the back. While not painful the zits went right across the back where the knee bends and was very annoying. I decided to discontinued using the knee sock. This was quite a change as the knee sock is something I had been using for several years and had never had a problem with it. My knee responded just fine without the additional support of the knee sock and I did not resume using on subsequent hikes throughout the fall.

Emily sums up her feelings about the morning.

The father/daughter duo had arrived before us last night. We gave them some of blister tape hoping it would help. We passed them on the trail after a couple of km’s and the daughter had already taken off her shoes and was walking in her sandals. They were going to pass by Mt Assiniboine and stay at Lake Og. We did not see them again on the trip and figured they exited at Sunshine Villiage. They had talked about rejoining the trail at the Rockwall in Kootenay but it really was not looking very good for them. We were packed up and out of the campground at 9:45 am.

All cleaned up.
Keeping spirits high to start the day.

While my feet were sore we did set off at a good pace down the trail. According the ViewRanger App we were traveling at a steady 5+ kph. Our quick pace was halted when I ran into another former student of mine. This student was a recent grad having crossed the stage in the schools Covid outdoor graduation ceremony in June. She was working at the lodge at Mt Assiniboine and was on her way home after having wild camped near Lake Gloria the previous night. We spent a good 25 minutes chatting before saying our goodbyes.

Emily’s note: You can’t go anywhere with this guy. Middle of the goddamn backcountry and it’s like a mom in a grocery store running into the neighbours. It feels like he knows every person under thirty from the Bow Valley.

Chance meeting.

Off down the trial again. I was feeling OK but not great. We arrived at Marvel Lake CG at 11:10 am. The naming of the campground is one of my pet peeves with Parks Canada; it takes about 20 minutes to get from the campground to Marvel Lake. I feel if you name the campground after a certain feature that feature should be visible from the campground. We continued through the campground and hiked straight past Marvel Lake. On our trip to Mt Assiniboine in 2019 we stopped and had a lovely breakfast by a mirror smooth Marvel Lake. This time the water was choppy and the sky a little cloudy so there was not much motivation to stop. While my feet hurt it was a dull constant pain and not nearly enough to warrant turning back so without making a conscious decision I committed to continuing on with the hike.

Marvel Lake CG. Guess some people were having fires. There are very few Parks Canada back country campgrounds that allow for fires.
Nice little bridge.
A choppy and gloomy Marvel Lake. The peak in the distance is Eon Mt (3310 m).

It is 1.5 km from Marvel Lake to the Bryant Creek Junction where we would turn left and steadily gain altitude as we walk the length of Marvel Lake. We soon ran into our first group coming from Assiniboine. They were a large group who had stopped for a break and spread across the trail making it inconvenient to pass by with any sort of distancing. We stopped for lunch in a shady spot in amongst some trees. We hauled ourselves up the slope so that people could pass by with comfort. Lunch was a little less than half an hour. We continued on our way and arrived at the junction to Wonder Pass at 1:45 pm.

Emily’s note: As we were walking along this stretch we got to talking—about copyright law, I think—and as dad started to tell a story about some musicians who did a tribute song, I got the strangest sense of deja vu. When I mentioned it to dad we reflected back and eventually realized we’d had nearly the exact same conversation the last time we’d hiked through there. I guess the trail triggered some subconscious memories to spark that conversation, even though we hadn’t consciously remembered it! Weird stuff.

4.5 km along the lake then a 3.3 km stiff climb up to Wonder Pass.
This tells of a bad day for someone and a good day for someone else.
Making our way along Marvel Lake. The sky is clearing up.
Marvel Pass is a seldom used trail that takes you into wild country behind the mountains that surround Marvel Lake. We were heading up Wonder Pass: 400m of elevation in just over 3 km.

The hike up Wonder Pass is quite steep at first but the trail utilizes switchbacks to lessen the grade. Halfway to the pass the trail levels out and leaves the forest and entering the high alpine. Wonder Pass is very wide which helps make you feel very small which adds to the sense of “wonder” at where you are. Maybe that is why they named it Wonder Pass. There are a couple of trails that branch off and lead to amazing viewpoints over the valley with Marvel Lake. If you continue just beyond Marvel Lake you would come to Lake Gloria an amazing example of an turquoise alpine lake. We had explored one of the viewpoints on our previous visit so we decided we would minimize our hiking time and save our feet so we kept onward to the pass.

While in the trees the trail is steep.
Trail beginning to level off. Emily leaning on her pole, from Zpacks of course.
All smiles as we leave the trees.
Emily looking around as she heads up Wonder Pass.

Emily’s note: The last time we were here dad caught a glimpse of a lynx disappearing into the trees, so this time I had my head on a swivel looking for animals. No luck. I am cursed to always miss the cool wildlife.

Flowers on the pass.
The view from Wonder Pass is simply spectacular.

We had some fun with the camera with Emily taking overly dramatic photos of me arriving at the pass. It was just after 3 pm and we had an easy downhill hike remaining to Lake Magog, then a short hike onto the campground, our home for the next two nights.

Emily’s note: Dad was still pretty tired at this point, but I was finally feeling strong as we crested the pass. When Day 1 was so tough I’d worried that I’d lost my hiker legs, so I was elated that they were definitely back as I went flying up Wonder Pass. Guess that’s the perk to not having to do the additional 13km jog.

My arrival at Wonder Pass.
Wonder pass.

The descent to Lake Magog was a quick 3 km walk that took us down 190 m. The landscape quickly changed from the treeless meadows of the alpine back to the sub alpine and a lovely fir tree forest. As you close in on the Naiset Huts, BC Parks have constructed a number of boardwalks over fragile areas to minimize the impact of the high traffic the trails see from all the people staying at the various types of accommodations in the area.

The wildflowers welcoming us to Mt Assiniboine.
Boardwalks.
The red roofs of the Naiset Huts.

It took us 6 hrs and 15 minutest to hike the 17 km from Big Springs CG to Lake Magog and a view of Mt Assiniboine. Sore feet and all, it was so worth it.

Arriving at Lake Magog. Mt Assiniboine (3618 m) at centre, flanked by Mt Magog (3095 m) on the left and Wedge Peak (3030 m) on the right.
Lake Magog and Mt Assiniboine.
Someone happy to arrive.

We spent 15 minutes sitting on a log taking in the view of Mt Assiniboine while snacking on chocolate.

Taking in the view. Frosty is peeved that she is facing the wrong way.

It was still just over a 1 km walk from the log to the Lake Magog CG. We arrived at the campground at 4:45 pm. The message board at the entrance has some special instructions concerning Covid. The campground is quite long, perched on a hill running alongside of Lake Magog. The campsites are grouped sort of like in small “pods”. We continued along the main path and up a small hill and found a pod with one occupied site and some empty sites. I set up camp at an empty site while Emily went off and investigated the rest of the campground. I had a nice little chat with a couple of campers. They were staying for a few days and were heading off to do some more exploring.

Emily wondering what is covered up by the duct tape.
Covid specific instructions.

Emily came back and insisted that we move to a different site which was located very close to the entrance of the campground. We moved to the new site and set up camp and quickly started to inspect our sore feet.

The state of my feet.
Emily airing out her feet.
Emily wishing we had stronger bug spray.
Wildlife.
Our campsite.

We did not have a direct view of Mt Assiniboine from our campsite, but it was just a short walk to a grand view.

Mt Assiniboine.

It was 6:45 pm by the time we sat down to make dinner. It was again too late and not warm enough to break open the beer, maybe tomorrow. The dining area was encircled by trees but had a nice window providing a mountain views.

Our kitchen and dining room.
The view was acceptable.
The Backpackers Pantry is the empty bag I used to re-hydrate my homemade meal in the ziploc. Looks like I was having kale rotini. Simple reminder on my camera bag “Enjoy”.
In the bag waiting for the water to boil.
On the left Emily was having canneloni with ricotta on the right is my kale rotini. Both meals got a mark of 11 out of 10.
My Dora the Explorer toothbrush. Has been on every trip since I took it on our trip to Mt Kilimanjaro.
Good night from Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park.

Day 4 GDT Section C 2020

GDT Section C 2020 Home

bootwreckers

Takakkaw Falls from th Incline Trail, Yoho NP. Ph Takakkaw Falls from th Incline Trail, Yoho NP.

Photos of Takakkaw Falls taken from the Iceline Trail.

1) 1.6 second exposure of the falls

2) view of the falls and the Daly Glacier that feeds the water to th falls

The Iceline Trail was a nice way to get a more unique view of the falls and with fewer people.

Morning of day 2 of amazing trip last summer with @sio.mellors 

Yoho NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #falls #waterfallphotography #waterfall #waterfallsofinstagram
Going through some photos from summer 2020. I lik Going through some photos from summer 2020.

I liked this photo, captured the early morning at Yoho Lake CG on my trip with @sio.mellors 

Loved how the water grabbed th orange reflection off the bottom of the clouds as the sun just crested the horizon.

I enjoy getting up early when camping. Not only do I get to enjoy the peace and quiet of camp, but the light of the sun presents fleeting visual displays that are gone in moments.

Yoho NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #sunrise #morning #sunrisephotography  #lake #reflection #reflections
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
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