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Day 3 Rockwall North – To Paint Pots Parking Lot – Kootenay NP

Frosty and a couple of clowns getting ready to start the day.

Tumbling Creek CG to Paint Pots Parking Lot, 11.1 km, 50 m Elevation Gain, 522 m Elevation Loss, 4 hrs 57 min.

Had a slightly more exciting sleep than I had hoped. It rained around midnight and my evidently had a small leak. Not sure how I noticed but I had water coming in under my sleeping pad. I managed to mop up what water had appeared in the tent and moved to one side and pulled the tent floor up where the hole appeared to be which prevented any more water from getting into the tent. When I fixed the hole at home it was so small I could not see it. I had to pour water into the tent and find where it was dripping to locate the hole. This little incident made me nervous about my longer trip coming up. Many of the Parks Canada campsites are on rocky terrain so I became concerned about getting another leak. I ordered a Zpacks ground sheet a weight penalty of just 88 g! I figured I could handle an extra 88 g of weight for some piece of mind. Despite the interruption to my sleep I was up and out of the tent at 6:50 am. I decided to have breakfast down by Tumbling Creek. Breakfast on the trail is heating some water for coffee and munching on a 100 g of Logan Bread.

My morning kitchen.
The fruit of my labour, a hot coffee.

After spending some quality time alone by the creek I headed back to the tent to pack up. I noticed that during the night the ladies had moved tent spots. I guessed they had some water issues of their own as their original site had what appeared to be some hastily constructed canals dug into the dirt.

Seems to be some impromptu canal digging.

Ken and Neil got to work on their breakfast about 8:30 am. I made myself another coffee and decided to have a snack, a lunch wrap, since it was going to be a short day and I was thinking we would be back at the car by lunch.

Getting their breakfast ready. My second cup of coffee is heating up on the seat beside Neil.
Coffee and a snack. If second breakfast is good for hobbits it’s good for me.

We were off on the trail at 9:46 am. The first obstacle of the day came quickly as we had an awkward creek crossing. The creek was down a steep slope onto a wet wobbly log. Being in my customary place as the caboose I was entertained watching Neil and Ken cross the creek while trying to keep their feet dry. There were no wet feet in the crossing.

After a couple hundred metres we came to a bridge crossing to take us over the the south side of Tumbling Creek. Across the bridge there is a trail junction with the choice of heading west to Tumbling pass or going east back to the parking lots at the Paint Pots. The bridge has been built with what appeared to be a judicious amount of room between the walking surface and the creek. Despite the height of the bridge there is obvious signs of heavy impact to the extent that the handrail on the upstream side has a serious dent in it.

Bridge over Tumbling Creek
The peaceful meander upstream creek passes under the bridge and gets funneled into a tumbling mass of foam.
That was some serious impact!
Looking down the creek.
This is on the south side of the bridge at, Left sign for west then south to Floe Lake, the right hand sign heads north back the way we came or heading east following Tumbling Creek back to Paint Pots.. I like how you can get to Helmet/Ochre Junction CG either way, its 20.9 km via Helmet Falls, or 6.5 if you continue to follow Tumbling Creek.

At the junction we headed east following Tumbling Creek. The narrow canyon the creek entered into after passing under the bridge led to quite a spectacular water fall. We would lose 130 m over the next 0.9 km after which the trail would flatten out dropping a modest 180 m over the following 4.7 km.

Aptly named Tumbling Falls.

After viewing the underappreciated but still impressive Tumbling Falls, not even sure if that is an official name, we continued on down the pleasantly graded trail. The hiking was uneventful for the most part but we did pass through some quite impressive piles of avalanche debris that Parks Canada had fortunately cut a path through.

Avalanche debris.

We came across the remnants of an old house (-116.22359, 51.14809) complete with old rusty tins that probably once held food. I have contacted Parks Canada about the history of the cabin. At the present Parks Canada are unsure about the history of the cabin and have passed on my information request to their archivist.

Ken pointing out some design flaws to Neil.
What you can see from the trail.

A few minutes after leaving the old house we came across one of many small stream crossings across somewhat rotten logs. Poles were very handy in keeping things steady as we crossed the unstable logs. The trail was very pleasant as it followed the creek down the valley. For the first time in a long time I had to wait while someone else took photos.

Not one of Parks Canada’s finest bridges.
Neil taking photos.

The trail cut through a large snowfield where again poles came in useful. The creek passed over a small waterfall where the water had carved a little canyon. The creek fell away from us after the waterfall. We dropped back down to the creek through a series of switchbacks that brought us to a very new bridge that would take us over to the north side of Tumbling Creek. It was just past 11:30 am and we decided to have a short break. We had been hiking for 1hr 45 min and had covered 4 km.

Crossing a snowfield.
A waterfall on Tumbling Creek.
The cracks in the dirt is the bank along the trail slowly falling into the creek.
Colourful flowers in the avalanche path
Indian Paintbrushes.
We have to drop down to the bridge.
This is a well made bridge.
Snack time.

We headed back down the trail after a 10 minute break. The trail went across a loose unvegetated slope. Did not want to slip here or it would be a rough slide into the creek. The trail cut back up into the forest where it was almost overgrown by the lush vegetation. After 5.5 km of going north-east the trail turned 90 degrees as the creek was deflected around a ridge coming down from Tumbling NES that extended almost due north. We then went down a steep slope dropping 95 m in just 0.4 km. This brought us to the confluence of Tumbling Creek and Ochre Creek. We had nice open views all around us. It was 12:30pm now it was time for a proper lunch. We only had 4.2 km to go mostly on trail we had already been on just 2 days ago.

Bit of an unstable side slope.
The vegetation is both thick and lush and is crowding the trail.
Lunch on a flood plain. Neil looks happy about the situation.

Lunch lasted a relaxing 30 minutes. We had some entertainment as we could see a suspension bridge crossing over Ochre Creek just upstream from our log. First a group of three, father and two adult daughters, went across. We had met them on day two briefly. They were hiking in a hurry and dad appeared to be having trouble keeping up. They piqued my interest at this point as there were some threatening skies overhead and all three had ponchos on. The poncho is my primary piece of wet weather gear and I am always pleased to see others using this effective if inelegant piece of gear.

Ponchos on the bridge.

Then the three young ladies passed us by and proceeded over the bridge. They were nearing the end of a successful trip and were quite full of enthusiasm as they crossed the bridge.

Striding across.
Taking some time to enjoy the crossing.
Crossing with a sense of purpose.

We got going about 10 minutes after the entertainment had ended. Ken tried to provide a bit of his own entertainment by bounding on the bridge in an effort to set up a standing wave. It did not really work all that well. It was only about 400 m from the bridge to the junction with the Helmet Falls trail that we had hiked on day 1.

Going across the bridge.
Back on the main trail. Pack covers ready.
Looking back up Tumbling Valley. The weather is a bit unsettled. We never did get any rain.

Back on familiar trail the pace picked up. We stopped to look for the pile of garbage I had tidied up on Day 1 but could not find it anywhere along the trail. Figure someone must have picked it up. The next time I need to return to an exact spot I will use the Viewranger App and mark a Point of Interest (POI). In no time at all we were back at the Paint Pots. Even after three days of hiking we stopped to enjoy the geological feature which is fairly rare in the Canadian Rockies.

Video of the Paint Pots.

A short walk back over the boardwalk brought us to the bridge over the Vermilion River and a short walk back at the cars. It was 2:45 pm we had had a very relaxing 5 hr hike covering 11 km. Once back at the car there were refreshments and a salty bag of chips. Great way to end a fun three days along one of the best pieces of trail in the Canadian Rockies.

More balancing with poles.
Up and over the last bridge.

Rockwall North Home

bootwreckers

Pondering the pleasures of the hike. Mt Assiniboin Pondering the pleasures of the hike. Mt Assiniboine and Lake Magog.

The first 3 days of my 10 hike on the Great Divide Trail, Section C, with Emily are summarized and up our my website, see link in Bio.

Fun addition to the summary is that we have included some of Emily's thoughts in the summary. Fun to see how she sees life on the trail.

Hope you the enjoy the summary nearly as much as we enjoyed th hike.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #canada
My second trip to Yoho NP last year was a 3 day tr My second trip to Yoho NP last year was a 3 day trip featuring the Iceline and Twin Falls with @sio.mellors 

Great weather, great company, great adventure. 

Full trip report on my website, link in Bio.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelbcp #snow #waterfall #waterfalls #waterfallphotography
New hike posted to Bootwreckers, see link in Bio. New hike posted to Bootwreckers, see link in Bio.

Three day hike along the Rockwall in Kootenay NP early July, 2021. Camped at Helmet Falls and Tumbling Creek Campgrounds.

With a @neil.real.deal and @kbsymington 

Photo - crossing snowfield at Tumbling Pass, with Mount Gray at centre and Tumbling Peak and it's glacier in the distance.

Great early season three day hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #snow
I wrote an article about not judging other hikers I wrote an article about not judging other hikers on the trail and it got published.

It is my first ever article. Was a fun little project.

See link in bio
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
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