Skip to content
Boot Wreckers
Menu
  • Home Page
  • Hiking Day Trips
    • Angels Landing – 2015
    • Aylmer Lookout Banff NP
    • Mt Allan Traverse (Centennial Ridge)
    • Mt Nomad (almost) – Kanananaskis Country
  • Backpacking – Overnights
    • Baker Lake 2020 Banff NP
    • Exploring Waterfalls with Volcano – Yoho NP
    • Fish Lakes – Banff NP, Alberta
    • Floe Lake/Numa Creek, Kootenay NP, British Columbia
    • Floe Lake (Revisited 2019) – Kootenay NP
    • Grand Canyon Corridor Backpacking Trip
    • Hermit Trail to Hermit Meadows – Glacier NP, British Columbia
    • Howard-Douglas Lake – Banff NP (2017)
    • Leman Lake – Banff, NP
    • Mystic Lake – Banff NP
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2016 – Ribbon Creek Route
    • Ribbon Lake Kananaskis Prov. Park 2017 – South Buller Pass Route
    • Simpson and Healy Pass – Banff NP (2016)
    • Stenton Lake – Alberta Wildlands Prov. Park
  • Backpacking – Multi Day
    • Arizona Trail Passages 16 17
    • Brazeau Loop – Jasper National Park
    • Colorado River Float Trip 2015
    • Egypt Lake Epic – Banff NP
    • Egypt Lake Exploration 2021- Banff NP
    • Grand Canyon Hermit – South Kaibab
    • Grand Canyon – Tanner/Beamer Trail
    • GR20 – Corsica
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section C 2020
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section D 2022
    • Great Divide Trail Hike – Section E 2021
    • Green River Canoe Trip 2017
    • Iceline/Twin Falls – Yoho NP 2020
    • Kilimanjaro – Tanzania
    • Mt Assiniboine Lollipop – Banff NP
    • Rockwall North 2020 Kootenay NP
    • Rockwall 2022 – Paint Pots to Numa Creek, Kootenay NP
    • Sawback – Banff NP
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
Menu

Day 3 Sawback Banff NP

Pulastilla Pass, wiping away the memories of rain.

Day 3 Badger Pass Junction Campground to Baker Lake Campground, 16.3 km, 730 m Elevation Gain, 570 m Elevation Loss, 8 hrs 7 min .

Slept well, without the sound of any rain and woke up to sunshine and blue skies. I grabbed the camera and rolled out of bed to capture some scenes of the morning skies. I was not disappointed.

Good morning sunshine.
The moon setting behind a peak.

As I walked down the trail, I noticed that the mud was actually frozen, and there was a layer of frost all over.

Frozen mud.
The frozen meadow looking south.
Morning at Johnston Creek.
Pulsatilla Pass.
Frosty morning.
Frozen in the sunshine.

Even thought I was up at 7:10 am, we were not in a big rush to get going. We starting getting breakfast ready at just after 8:30 am.

Breakfast was better with the sunshine.
Ken digging into breakfast.
Soaking up the view, was a vast improvement from dinner last night.

Had Frosty and my backpack ready to go by 9:40 am, and the campsite was all packed up by 9:50 am. Our day would start with a relatively easy walk across the meadow, before hiking up Pulastilla Pass, rising 300 m in 3.8 km.

Frosty ready to go for the day, no pack cover, so gets a view.
All packed up.

Once back to the main trail, the hiking was easy, a nice reward for the last couple of days. The trail parallels Johnston Creek for a short while. After 800 m we come to a little stream crossing. No bridge, and not much need of one now, but we searched to see if anyone has made a little rock bridge. We ended up just walking through. My feet are wet again, but maybe in the nice weather, they will dry.

Snow capped mountains, blue skies, green fields and flowers everywhere in bloom.
Our first stream crossing.

We come to a little waterfall. Ken has nicknamed me “shutterbug”, because I like to take photos. I love waterfalls, so we stopped for a few minutes. The trail then left the meadow and went up a short rise back into the trees, before coming to another flower filled field.

Pretty waterfall.
Pulsatilla Mountain
Trail is very nice, is just a little moist after all the rain.
Ken examining a field of flowers.

After the flowers we went up another short rise, taking us to a meadow with views in all directions.

Ken heading across the meadow, snow capped peaks in the distance.

We criss-crossed the trickle that was now Johnston Creek several times. Ken spotted an old sign indicating 1/2 mile to Pulsatilla Pass. As we started to head up the pass, the creek formed a lovely cascading waterfall surrounded by a sea of wildflowers, I just had to stop.

The trickle that is Johnston Creek.
Pulsatilla Mountain
A very old sign.
Waterfall and flowers.

We came to a small plateau, that gave us a view back over the valley we had been hiking in for the past two day. We were coming to the headwaters of Johnston Creek, it was only about foot wide. The hill was not actually very steep, but progress was slow since we kept looking at the amazing landscape that surrounded us.

The trail leading back to the forest.
View from the little plateau.

The nice soft trail disappeared along with the creek, and the footing became rocky. We spied some mountain sheep across the little valley. A brave marmot escorted us pass his territory. We came upon some snow fields, the melting water formed a little creek. After crossing the snow fields, a patch of scree marked our final approach to the pass. Time for a quick look back to where we had come from, and we pushed forward to view the north side of Pulsatilla Pass.

The mountain sheep on the far slopes.
Close up view, nice curl.
Feisty little marmot.
Ken approaching the snowfields.
Looking back to the south, where we had come from. I believe that our camp had been the trees that are bulging into the green meadow, right of centre.
One last look south.

We then arrived at Pulsatilla Pass, the view was utterly breathtaking. Ken and I would end up spending nearly an hour at the top of the pass, having lunch and just taking in view. It had taken 1hr 50 minutes to hike 3.7 km and rise 300 m.

Our first view of the Pulsatilla Pass North. The mountain in the distance at centre, is Fossil Mountain, our destination for today.
Closer view of the pass and the lake, and Fossil Mountain in the distance.
Frosty Paws taking in the view.

This was one of the highlights of the trip, we had trudged through two days of rain to get here so we were in no rush to leave. Even though it was early we took out our lunch and relaxed in the sunshine. The lake nestled below us is Pulsatilla Lake. It is an interesting study, as it has no visible outlet. The water drains through cracks in its limestone bed and seeps into the bedrock, known as karst topography. This type of lake is known as a sink hole, and is frequently found in limestone rocks. Rain water is slightly acidic and can dissolve limestone, over time this will form complex underground drainages.

Ken enjoying a well earned break.
My kitchen for lunchtime.

We stayed at the pass for 55 minutes, before deciding that we should get moving since we still had some distance to go.

A panorama of Pulsatilla Pass.

The trail sidesloped down the hill. We dropped 90 m in first 0.5 km, before leveling out for 0.5 km prior to climbing a little rise, all the while skirting the east side of the lake. We never do drop down to the lake. Several times we have to push through some vegetation crowding the trial, but for the most part the hiking was very straightforward. Wildflowers dot the hillsides, combined with the blue skies and the lake, it was a wonderful high alpine walk.

Poles are handy on the initial steep and rocky descent.
Waterfalls were everywhere on the hillsides.
Closer view of the lake, marmots patrol the trees below us.
Ken heading off over the little rise.

We pass along an exposed slope, about 30 m above the lake, it is pretty safe, but if you lost your concentration, you could end up in the lake. After passing the lake, we made our way quickly to treeline, the beginning of our descent into Wildflower Valley.

Trail is firm and smooth, but just ahead comes close to the lake.
Where we had come from, almost time to say goodbye to Pulstilla Pass.
Hills are alive with flowers
Leaving the lake behind us.
The beginning of the descent into Wildflower Valley.

We met a group of three young men just coming up out of Wildflower Valley. While talkative, they were not a happy bunch. Apparently it had been a difficult hike from Baker Lake, and coming up the valley was quite a slog. They had also been hiking all day with their rain pants on, so they were pretty hot. We tried to keep the conversation upbeat. They had a short climb to the top of Pulsatilla Pass, then a a 4 km downhill hike to their campsite at Badger Pass Junction CG, they have a lot to look forward to. It was 1:20 pm, we had been going for 3 hrs 25 min, and had covered just 6 km. It was time to get a move on.

Ken beginning the decent through the trees.

The trail was initially quite good, but steep. We would lose 270 m in only 1.7 km. I had read in the guide book and online, that this section was not maintained by Parks Canada. It only took a few minutes to experience what they meant. There were numerous trees down across the trail. With the all the rain the trail had seen, the ground was still quite muddy and slippery. I was super happy I had not had to come up this. Maybe this is why the three young men were a little grouchy.

One of many downed trees.
Small unnamed lake.
Ken working the poles descending a slippery, rooted trail.

After passing the small unnamed lake, we came to a stream crossing. The main trail headed straight across the stream, but there was another trail leading downstream on our side. I thought that maybe the trail on our side might lead to a better crossing. After cutting through the woods, the side trail came back to the creek a minute or so later. The creek was deeper and faster at this point, but there was some dead fall that created a natural bridge. I thought I would try my luck and cross the bridge. I made it quite easily to the other side, but getting up onto the bank was a little tricky, my foot broke through the rotting debri, rendering me a little wet and stuck. I managed to use my pole to get myself up and onto the bank. Ken came across easily and avoided my little mishap. There was a faint trail leading back through the woods connecting up with the main trail. Looking back, I think it may have been easier to just do a wet stream crossing on the main trail. Sometimes it is safer just keep the feet on the ground, even if it means getting wet.

The small lake followed by our stream crossing.
Ken surveying the stream crossing.

We had reached the end of major part of the descent and the trail flattened out for the next 2 km. It had been 50 minutes since we started heading downhill, a distance of 1.8km. The trail became very muddy, a sign of things to come. It was impossible to not step into muddy standing water. We then came to a small stream crossing, that was made challenging due to flood debri. The trail had been washed away by the flooding stream and covered in gravel. There were some cairns left by previous hikers that helped mark the way.

Its a muddy trail.
A bit of flood damage.

The trail crosses numerous small streams and muddy sections, gave up on keeping the feet dry. The last 600 m to Baker Creek drops a swift 90 m, bringing us to Wildflower Campground, a total distance of 10.2 km in 5 hrs 10 minutes. We have dropped from our lofty heights at Pulsatilla Pass, to an elevation equivalent to the turnoff to Luellen Lake.

Ken attempting another stream crossing.
Coming into Wildflower Campground.
Nice tent pads at Wildflower Campgound
It is 3:00 pm, and we have 5.9 km and 360 m of climbing left, time for a break.

We had not eaten since Pulsatilla Pass, so we stopped for a break. I took the break to tend to a hotspot on my foot. We had heard bad news about the bridge crossing the creek and now we could see for ourselves that the bridge had been washed away. The river was running pretty fast so we scouted up and down the bank for an ideal creek crossing. Nothing appeared any better than what was presented in front of us. Ken went first, carefully picking his way across using his poles to steady himself. I followed, I did put my camera into my backpack, and undid all my straps. This was in case I did fall in, I could get out of my pack so I would not be washed downstream. I also was successful in getting across. The water was upper calf deep and it was impressive how much pressure the water did exert on the legs.

Ken picking his way across Baker Creek.
The water is almost knee height.
A successful crossing.

After crossing Baker Creek, the trail took us up quickly through a forest. After so much downhill for so long, I forgot what it meant to work hard. We came across some bear scat and a large print in the mud. The first signs of bears we had on the trip. After a short but hard workout, mostly buried in the trees, we came out into a large meadow.

Trail heading up into the trees.
That is a big footprint.
The meadow. It drops down a few metres as you pass through the trees at the far end, which takes you to another meadow.

The trail cut straight across the meadow. There was a little stream crossing, but with the help of some dead fall, we kept our feet dry. We came to the end of the meadow, passed through the trees and dropped down to another meadow.

Anthozoan Mountain.
Looking out across the second meadow, or is that a marsh?

The second meadow looked much like the first, but with Baker Creek running down the middle. The guide book had said to stick to the right (east) side, which is where the obvious trail was. The trail quickly becoming wet and boggy. The meadow was more of a saturated swamp than a lovely grassy field. We spied a couple hikers in the middle of the meadow, we waved them over to where we were since we had a well defined, if muddy, trail.

No hope of dry feet.
People struggling through the middle of the meadow. They chose to stay with the creek, not a good choice.
Looking back, the mountain on the left forms the west side of Wildflower Valley, the three peaks in the distance are from left to right, Armor Peak, Protection Mt and Bulwark Peak.

The trail became braided, we chose a trail to the right and ended up doing some bushwhacking. We knew the main trail was to our left (west), so were not overly concerned. We actually did find a wayward piece of flagging, always a good sign. I got tired of the wet muddy water and when we came to a nice clear creek I just stood in the centre watching the clear water washing away the mud on my shoes.

Washing the shoes.

Once we left the meadow, the trail headed abruptly uphill. It had only been 50 minutes since we left Baker Creek. We would gain 160 m in the next 0.6 km, the hill was short, but conversation was at a minimum. After 25 minutes, the trail flattened out and we passed by several fields covered in wildflowers. The climb ended at a small tributary of Baker Creek at the top of quite a magnificent waterfall. We obviously stopped to take photos.

It was steep, but shady.
Brachiopod Mountain.
That is a lot of colour.
The small creek, complete with a little rock bridge.
The calm before the fury.
The top of the waterfall.
Heading into the abyss.

A short rise took us away from the creek and lead to the crest of another alpine meadow. Baker creek was below us to the west. We were on the homestretch to our campsite. We had another lesson on the slight inaccuracies of our mapping apps. Both of us had a trail leading to the east marked on our apps halfway down the meadow. Mine was marked the Douglas and Lynchnis Routes. The trail did not exist. When I got home I did some investigation on the internet. What the Douglas and Lynchnis Routes are, are scrambling routes to the tops of the respective peaks, which are to the east of Baker Lake. You can read a little trip report of a hiker who submitted the peaks here. The peaks are climbed so infrequently, the trail has overgrown. While there is no evidence of the trail, you could follow the markings on the app to access the are to the east, which did include a spectacular waterfall, a worthy destination itself.

Another stunning high alpine view.
Fossil Mountain, with Baker Creek, it once looked so far away.
Looking back to the south. Baker Creek to the right will form its own waterfall as it drops to enter the meadows below.

We continued across the meadow. A brave ground squirrel gave us a dressing down. We looked around at all the mountains. The day had such a variety of scenery, meadows, forests, alpine meadows, snowy peaks. It had been a first class feast for the eyes. We came to a junction, well marked by Parks Canada, and turned left to start our last 1.3 km to the campsite.

Looking back one last time.
Signage.
Hmm, I guess we are not alone.

Shortly after the junction, we went up a small rise. It was only 90 m in elevation, but at the end of the day, it was a bit of a kicker. The trail flattened out, then turned sharply to the left to enter Baker Lake Campground, it was 5:55 pm. It had taken us 2 hrs 25 min to hike from Wildflower Campground a distance of roughly 6 km.

Ken heading up into the forest. Fossil Mountain dominates the sky.
A little flat before the campsite.
Junction to Baker Creek Campground, more excellent signage.

We set up camp, got our camp sandals on, and set about trying to dry our footwear. Ken has gortex boots, but even gortex has its limits when facing a steady onslaught of water. The campground was nothing special. About 10 campsites very tightly packed into a clearing. We had to keep everything off the ground, as there was a resident porcupine. We spent a few minutes checking out the campground and Baker Lake.

That is some wet socks.
Brachiopod Mountain, with Anthozoan Mountain in the background.
Baker Lake with Ptarmigan Peak in the distance.
The campsite,that is an empty spot between the two tents.

Started making dinner just after 7 pm. We struck up a conversation with a woman solo hiking. Turns out she is a guide and has worked with everyone from experienced adults to school groups. Ken and her had a grand time trading stories about outdoor trips, and the unbelievable things people do. My favourite story is one Ken told of how a bear chomped a hole in a unoccupied tent, and left with a mouthful of beef jerky. The owners denied having any more food in the tent, Ken thought he’d better look carefully, and under the sleeping pads was a corner store worth of junk food. So, the bear chomping a hole into the tent had not been enough encouragement to get all the food out. The woman loved that story and asked if she could use it.

Drying out the shoes on the tent.
Ken in the kitchen.
Visitor at dinner.

There were a wide variety of people at the campground. There was a man and his older father on a 4 day backpacking trip. There was a family of 4, who had done single overnights, and were doing their first family multi day trip. There were three loud young men an older couple who had bug net hats and another solo woman.

The outlet to Baker Lake has these lines of rock jutting up from the water. It marks the end of the Castle Mountain Thrust Fault and makes for an interesting waterway.
Reflections.
Just a few mosquitoes, maybe a bug net would not be such a bad idea.

It had a been a pretty big day. We had a nice balance of hiking and moving quickly, but taking the time to appreciate where we were. Headed to bed just after 9 pm.

Day 4 Sawback

Sawback Home

bootwreckers

New trip posted, three day trip in the Rockwall in New trip posted, three day trip in the Rockwall in Kootenay NP with @sio.mellors. Introduction and Day 1 up on Bootwreckers.

Trip was suppose to be hiking Northover Ridge in Kanananaskis but smoke had us change plans at the last minute.

This would be my third multi day trip on the Rockwall but the first for Siobhan.

Managed to get two camping sites on the Rockwall and instead of smoke we had to deal with the threat of rain.

We did get wet but we had a blast.

Day 1 is from Paint Pots TH to Helmet Falls CG, with a side trip to get up close the the falls. Pretty straightforward day but visiting Helmet Falls is always special.

#parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
The sixth and final day of our 2022 GDT Section D The sixth and final day of our 2022 GDT Section D hike is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

This day took us from a random camp on the Howse Floodplain to the Mustafa Canyon parking lot. This was an adventurous day with bushwhacking, stream crossings and dead fall but a simply glorious end to a wonderful hike on the GDT. 

Again thanks  to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. I am sure we will meet again on a trail someday.

Photo 1 - Morning Colors

Photo 2 - tents on the floodplain

Photo 3 - bushwhacking to start the day

Photo 4 - fields of flowers going to seed

Photo 5 - looking south down the Howse River

Photo 6 - thigh deep water crossing

Photo 7 - big views

Photo 8 - Sara crossing some dead fall

Photo 9 -Mistaya Canyon

Photo 10 - picked up a thru hiker named Roy, enjoying beverages left by Natasha and Kyle from Backpacks and Bikeracks

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 5 of our 2022 Great Divide Trail Section D hik Day 5 of our 2022 Great Divide Trail Section D hike is posted on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

Truly epic day on the trail. Pass through the debris of two avalanches, had lunch by a waterfall, crawled over so much dead fall and hiked on the Howse Flood Plain.

The sunset on the flood plain was one of most magical I have seen.

As always a big thanks to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. The Team totally rocked the trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Evening light on Picketpost Mt. #aztrail #aztasso Evening light on Picketpost Mt.

#aztrail #aztassociation  #nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #nationalparkweek #reichallenge #nationalparksweek #rightnow #nationalparktrust #goparks #aztrails
Arizona Trail Passages 14 and 15. Some photos of Arizona Trail Passages 14 and 15.

Some photos of my recent hike down a couple of Passages of the Arizona Trail. 

The trail is so diverse, rolling terrain cut by shallow washes leads to the expanse of the desert then into rugged canyons and tall peaks, all in a space of 92 km (58 miles).

Had a great time, some blisters gave me some concerns but they seem to be doing fine now that they are out of my hiking shoes.

Got lucky with Trail Magic courtesy of Condiments who drove his 4x4 deep into an unarmed wash, was really in the middle of no where, and then again at the start of Passage 15, missed the Trail Angel's name, the wind was so loud.

Like to thank my Trail Angels, Carole for driving me to Oracle to start the trip, with side trip to a Hayden Az, a real ghost town and to Edith for leaving a water cache for me at Passage 15.

Included a video of my time at the high point for Passage 15. My kid likes it when you stop and enjoy the view you earned, thought they would appreciate my effort in the face of 1000 mph winds (ok maybe thats a bit of an exaggeration).

Thanks Arizona and the AZT for providing more memories.

I will be back

#aztrail #aztassociation  #nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #nationalparkweek #reichallenge #nationalparksweek #rightnow #nationalparktrust #goparks #aztrails
That sunset says when I wake up it will be time to That sunset says when I wake up it will be time to start my hike on the Arizona Trail, Passages 14 and 15

Love my little motel in Superior, Az, Copper Mt Motel. Has murals painted on all the buildings

Spied the Grand Canyon from the plane 

Adventure awaits 

#aztrail #aztassociation  #nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #nationalparkweek #reichallenge #nationalparksweek #rightnow #nationalparktrust #goparks #aztrails
Frosty Paws all packed and ready for an adventure. Frosty Paws all packed and ready for an adventure.

Arizona Trail Passages 14 and 15 starting Sunday

Off weekend gooooooo!

#aztrail #aztassociation  #nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #nationalparkweek #reichallenge #nationalparksweek #rightnow #nationalparktrust #goparks #aztrails
Last weekend before heading to Arizona for a four Last weekend before heading to Arizona for a four day adventure on the Arizona Trail.

I wonder if hiking in the 15 cm of fresh snow will be good prepared for hiking the deserts of Passages 14 and 15?

#aztrail #aztassociation  #nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #nationalparkweek #reichallenge #nationalparksweek #rightnow #nationalparktrust #goparks #aztrails
Day 4 of our 2022 GDT Section D hike is up on the Day 4 of our 2022 GDT Section D hike is up on the website, see link in bio.

This was a truly epic day spent on the Amiskwi and Collie Creek Alternates.

The weather cooperated starting with a spectacular sunrise on the Mummery Glacier, rainbows and blue skies on the ridge.

We had a brief encounter with a little black bear who scampered quickly away. 

Finished off the day with a cold beer, Grizzly Paw Rutting Elk Red, that I had carried with me and it tasted great.

Easily one of th best days on the trail ever.

Again big thanks to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. The Team totally rocked the trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 3 of our 2022 Section D hike is posted, see li Day 3 of our 2022 Section D hike is posted, see link in bio.

This was a shorter day, only about 17 km but took us from the end of the Kiwetinok Alternate up to Amiskwi Pass and then a beautiful meadow at the the base of the Amiskwi Ridge.

Photo 1 - morning sky

Photo 2 - on the Kiwetinok Alternate

Photo 3 - Kiwetinok Alternate

Photo 4 - break time at a stream crossing, Frosty Paws hanging in there

Photo 5 - Fireweed with a view down the Amiskwi Valley,

Photo 6 - fields of flowers as we approached Amiskwi Pass

Photo 7 - Yellow Columbine on the way up to Amiskwi Lodge

Photo 8 - Our camp in the meadow

Photo 9 - Setting sun

Photo 10 - one of the best adventure stories ever! True story of how three prisoners of war escaped and climbed Mt Kenya

Again big thanks to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. The Team totally rocked the trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
First two days of my 2022 Great Divide Trail Secti First two days of my 2022 Great Divide Trail Section D adventure are up on the blog, see profile for link.

Day 1 was from Burgess Pass Trail head to Yoho Lake Campground. A relatively short day but a good warm up for the rest of the trip.

Big thanks to Sara (@sd_kuz) and Lillian (@waterlilizee) for sharing this adventure with me. The Team totally rocked the trail.

Photo 1 - at Burgess Pass looking at Mt Wapta

Photo 2 - Flowers, it was a great time to hike to see all the flowers in August bloom

Photo 3 - Emerald Lake from up high

Photo 4 - at Yoho Pass, did I mention the flowers

Photo 5 - Duplex tent all set up with Frosty Paws on guard, and oh ya, more flowers

Photo 6 - the north end of Wapta Mt as seen from Yoho Lake.

Super fun little day, the opening a grand adventure.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Sound On. Video clips from my hike along th Supe Sound On. 

Video clips from my hike along th Superstion Ridgeline.

Was an epic hike, 24km from my campsite at Miners Needle to First Water Trailhead where my car was.

Wouldn't recommend doing all in one day backpacking, as the final descent down Siphon Draw Wash is brutal, but I did it in 10hrs 45min

Would love to redo th hike at some point and actaull stop and camp along the ridge.

I had enough water to stop, but I was enticed by the prospects of a beer to finish.

#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
Day 5 and 6 of our Green River Canoe trip from 201 Day 5 and 6 of our Green River Canoe trip from 2017 is up on Bootwreckers, see link in Bio.

The day started in the dark with a hike up to the Dollhouse to watch the sunrise.

After doing an bit of exploring including a short hike out to Beehive Arch we headed back to camp to pack up and catch the jet boat ride back to Moab.

No trip to Moab is complete without a stop at the Moab Brewery, I had a tall smooth Derailleur Ale to compliment my mushroom, Swiss bacon burger.

Once back home it was time for snuggles with the little fella who waited patently for us whole we were away. Doggie snuggles for the win!

Another epic adventure in the books.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial
Just some of my favorite photos from my New Year's Just some of my favorite photos from my New Year's Arizona trip to the Superstitions

#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
Just a few photos from my epic 3 day hike through Just a few photos from my epic 3 day hike through Superstion Mts of Arizona. 

I think it was Plan D or maybe E. Saw photos of th Grand Canyon and many of th roads there were closed, so good choice not to go.

Day 1 - First Water TH over to Ther Battleship via many stream crossings and camp near Black Top Mesa. Due to the heavy rains, water was not an issue.

Day 2 - up past Weavers Needle and over to camp below Miners Needle

Day 3 - Epic 26 km day up on down the Superstions Ridge Trail and back to the car. This was probably the second hardest day I hav e had on trail. The trail is more "route" very ill defined for the first 2/3rds of the way. Also includes numerous down climbs, I frequently tossed my poles down 3m (10ft) of more. This is not an easy trail, and the final descent down Siphon Wash is absolutely intense. After leaving camp at 7:15am (sunrise at 7:30) I arrived at the car at 5;45pm.

Needless to say I didn't do much Friday.

Will write more later.

Thanks to my adopted trail team, James, John, Kevin and Patrick. Four Med students from UofM who allowed me to tag along as the caboose for the first two days.

Now, time to fly home.....

#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
Sound On! About that hike.....it is not going to Sound On!

About that hike.....it is not going to happen this year.

A winter storm has come through, bringing rain, risk of flash floods and near freezing temperatures. At the prospect of hiking two or even three days in the rain, I kept hearing this voice in my head "You know, I'm not having any fun" , spoken by @kbsymington on day two of a four day hike, I could totally see that thought passing through my head if I went ahead with the hike.

I did meet my Trail Angel Bev the Kelvin TH and the scenery was just spectacular! I could hear the desert calling me. It was simply beautiful, but Bev didn't try to talk me into going and did say when I come back I was to contact her, can't wait.

My motel manger told me to go up Hwy 60 towards Globe, AZ, and check out the Queen River Canyon just after the tunnel.

It was a lot of fun to do a little exploring and it actually confirmed I made the right decision,  I got so cold in the few minutes I was out taking photos.

As I got back to the motel I was happy to see a ray of light at the horizon, maybe the rain is going to go away.

I also discovered my getting old hiking shoes leak.....

Planning on a 4 day trip around th Superstitions starting the day after tomorrow. 

Happy trails.

#aztsos #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
Happy New Year from Superior, Arizona. Getting re Happy New Year from Superior, Arizona.

Getting ready for 5 days on the Arizona Trail, passages 14 and 15, if the weather allows (could rain, hard, in the desert eh, who knew)

Now time for some sleep

#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
Day 4 on the Green River was another great day exp Day 4 on the Green River was another great day exploring canyons, hiking and of course paddling. Full summary on the website, see link in bio.

We started off the day exploring Jasper Canyon, found an amazing Anasazi house.

Then we hit the river and joined the Colorado River for the last couple of miles to our final desk at Spanish Bottom.

After dinner we took a quick hike up to Doll House, which we would revisit the next morning for sunrise.

A real mix of a day which made it a whole lotta fun.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial #river
Day 3 of our 2017 Green River Canoe trip up on Boo Day 3 of our 2017 Green River Canoe trip up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

15 mile paddle from Cabin Bottom to Jasper Canyon. 

Checked out Anasazi Petroglyphs at Cabin Bottom. Stopped to explore Turks Head Bottom where there were two sets of Anasazi dwellings. 

After a good day on the river enjoyed a beer given to us by some friendly boaters. 

Finished off th evening taking some fun night time photos of the stars and the tent.

Was an amazing trip with still one more day on the river and one day exploring.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial #river
On the river with Day of our 2017 trip down the Gr On the river with Day of our 2017 trip down the Green River, see link in bio for full summary.

Was a fantastic day with blue skies and warmer weather. We made two stops to explore Anderson Bottom and some Anasazi granaries that were located about 30ft up a cliff!

Stopped at Cabin Bottom where I dumped dinner in the sand but rescued it and got two free beers.

Finished the day off getting up at 3 am to take pictures of th Milky Way.

#canyonlands, #canyonlandsnationalpark, #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #turkshead, #anasazi, #anasaziruins, #utah, #exploreutah, #coloradoriver, #canoeing, #redrocks, #hikingadventures, #camping, #hikingadventures #texriverways, #floatritp #canoe #familytime❤️ #outdoors #outside #outsidethebox #earthpix  #wildernessculture  #wildernessociety  #seeutah  #igsouthwest #discoverearth #earthofficial

Always a great day being out on the river.
Load More Follow on Instagram

For more photos of these and other Bootwreckers Adventures

© 2023 Boot Wreckers | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme