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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

Day 3 of our 2021 Labour Day Weekend trip through Day 3 of our 2021 Labour Day Weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP.

This day took us from the campground at Balls Pass Junction over Whistling Pass, with a detour up Pharaoh Peak, which wasn't without some drama.

Lunch was another side trip to Scarab Lake followed by an excursion to Egypt Lake.

Our final destination was Pharaoh Creek Campground. After a lovely evening the Milky Way came out to play.

Read the summary at www.Bootwreckers.com, link in bio.

Photo 1 - moody morning at Balls Pass Junction

Photo 2 - golden meadows as we approach Haiduk Lake

Photo 3 - making our way up Whistling Pass

Photo 4 - heading up Pharaoh Peak, and it really was this steep

Photo 5 - looking over Mummy and Scarab Lakes from the Pharaoh Peak.

Photo 6 - group shot on the way down

Photo 7 - at Egypt Lake

Photo 8 - Frosty Paws guarding the tent

Photo 9 - the Milky Way

Video - scree skiing down Pharaoh Peak

Another great day on the trail with @sio.mellors

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks
Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the E Day 2 of our Labour Day weekend trip through the Egypt Lake area, Banff NP is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

The day was sunny and the skies were blue, it was simply an amazing day to be on the trail.

Out day started out retracing our steps from th previous evening back to Shadow Lake.

After lingering to take in the stunning view at the lake we had an easy hike to our campsite at Balls Pass Junction.

After setting up the tent and having lunch we headed up the short but steep trail to Ball Pass. Ball Pass is in mu opinion one of th premier viewpoints in Banff NP. 

After exploring Ball Pass we returned back to the campground and enjoyed a well earned stream chilled beer and a nap.

Clouds rolled in later in the day but it only lightly rained.

Was not the biggest mileage day on the trail but was proof that a great day on the trail.
Photo 1 - Siobhan looking at Mt Ball and it's Glacier from Ball Pass
Photo 2 - Siobhan checking directions
Photo 3 - Shadow Lake and Mt Ball
Photo 4 - Siobhan on bridge crossing outlet of Shadow Lake
Photo 5 - dried  strawberries on the trail
Photo 6 - heading up Ball Pass
Photo 7 - Siobhan looking over the valley from Ball Pass
Photo 8 - heading down from Ball Pass
Photo 9 - our reward for a good day on the trail
Photo 10 - finding peace and tranquility in the backcountry 

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake a Day 1 of our amazing trip through the Egypt Lake area Labour Day Weekend, 2021 now posted up on our blog, link in bio. Another Grand adventure with one of my kids, @sio.mellors.

Our four day trip started at the Vista Lake Trailhead on Hwy 93 South. Up and over Gibbon Pass to camp at Shadow Lake Campground on day 1.

Day 2 was a short hike to Balls Pass Junction CG, then after a short break off to explore Ball Pass, in my opinion one of the best vistas anywhere.

Day 3 we hiked over Whistling Pass on the way to Pharaoh Creek CG, with a scramble up Pharaoh Peak, lunch at Scarab Lake, and a visit to Egypt Lake on the way.

Day 4 was hiking over Healy Pass and out to the Sunshine Village parking lot where our car had been moved to.

Lots of stories from this adventure,  was a lot of fun to revisit and write.

Photo 1 - evening as Shadow Lake

Photo 2 - pre-hike happy team photo

Photo 3 - Arnica Lake, where we had lunch

Photo 4 - the yellow of Larches starting to come in

Photo 5 - the golden meadows of th high alpine at Gibbon Pass

Photo 6 - view all the way to Mt Assiniboine from Gibbon Pass, about 70 km away

Photo 8 - mushrooms in the undergrowth as we approach Shadow Lake CG

Photo 9 - Frosty guarding our campsite

Photo 10 - still smiling at the end of th day at Shadow Lake

#parkscanada #parks
#shadowlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banff #backpacking #camping #lake #egyptlake #Egyptlake  #backcountry #family #familytime #familytime❤️
The trip summaries for Days 10, 11 and 12 from ou The trip summaries  for Days 10, 11 and 12 from our 2021 GDT Section E hike is now up on www.Bootwreckers.com, see link in bio

We had a great end to the trip. Day 9 was a short day from our wild camp on the Bald Hills to Evelyn Crk Campground. Day 10 was a spectacular hike up over Little and Big Shovel Passes to the iconic Jasper Skyline Trail. Camping at Signal Campground. 

Day 11 was an easy walk into Jasper.

The trip was an amazing experience over 11 days, I met and hiked with many people but big props to my kid, who for some reason keeps hiking with me.

Photo 1 - end of hike, looking off into the distance, across th Athabasca River at Cairngorm Mt. 

Photo 2 - morning Bald Hills

Photo 3 - campsite Evelyn Crk CG

Photo 4 - Reading before bed

Photo 5 - fresh bear print on the trail

Photo 6 - Little Shovel Pass

Photo 7 - Snowbowl

Photo 8 - Last grind up to the Notch

Photo 9 - looking east from the Skyline down through Excelsior Creek

Photo 10 At campsite Signal Campground 

See trip reports on our blog, link in bio.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer. Day Day 7 and 8 on our GDT trip from last summer.

Day 7 was from Waterfalls CG to a meadow in the Six Passes Route. Was a wet, moist day. Numerous creek crossings. Left the main GDT route at Maligne Pass and went off trail into the Six Passes. 

Spent the first night in an amazing meadow. With rain in the forecast we did 5 passes and the ridge walk in one day.

In one word the day was "Epic" . Was a spectacular journey. Huge day, 23 km and over 1500m up and down. So happy we did it, but we were so relieved to put in the tent somewhere flat.

Picture 1) the view of the Six Passes Route from the top of the first pass

Picture 2) me getting ready to leave Waterfalls CG

Picture 3) crossing a creek on a wet log

Picture 4) camping Six Passes

Picture 5) hiking Six Passes

Picture 6) sunrise pass # 2

Picture 7) it's a rocky climb

Picture 8) mmmm chocolate 

Picture 9) the final ascent on the ridge

Picture 10) happy to be home for the evening

See trip reports on our blog, link in bio.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail First 5 days of my 11 day 2021 Great Divide Trail Hike Section E is up on Bootwreckers, see link in bio.

Includes the 2 days I did on Section D but aborted due to smoke.

Picture 1) Camp on Owen Creek
Picture 2) Camp at Lower Michelle Lake
Picture 3) Pinto Pass
Picture 4) hiking up Cataract Creek
Picture 5) Smokey sunrise over the Brazeau River

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks #teamzpacks #zpacks #duplex #sectionhike #sectionhiker
Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on Decemb Fun trip out to the Ink Pots in Banff NP on December 31st.

Was very cold, -30C, but bluebird skies overhead.

Did a little snowshoeing in the meadow.

Saw almost no one above the upper falls at Johnson Canyon.

Fun adventure.

Happy New Year everyone.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part Day 6 Section E Great Divide Trail Hike 2021 (Part 1)

Fun day on the trail heading from Four Points CG to Waterfalls CG. 

The day started dry but damp from the rainfall overnight. As we left the Brazeau River valley and headed up to Jonas Pass the storm clouds blew in forcing us to get our wet weather gear on. 

I discovered shortly after that it is great to have gloves for hiking, but that they should be accessible, not buried somewhere in the pack.

The storm was quite fierce but luckily brief. We arrived at Jonas pass and were able to put our rain gear away.

The clouds would remain with for the duration of the hike adding some mood to the hike.

This was my second time hiking over Jonas Pass and Jonas Shoulder and both times it has rained.

We arrived at Jonas Shoulder. We took some time to enjoy the view and let off some steam. The rest of the hike would be downhill.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E. Req Waterfall on Owen Creek, Day 1 GDT Section E.

Required a fun bit of scrambling to access.

Happy Friday

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #waterfalls #waterfall #naturephotography #naturephotography #nationalparks
Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E. This day was memorable Day 5 GDT 2021 Section E.

This day was memorable for a few reasons. First waking up to more smoke.

First photo is the sun rising over the mountains at 8:30am, shouldn't really be that red.

Doing the extra distance on day 4 meant that this day I had a 3.1 km hike from Boulder Crk CG to Four Points CG.

I could not extend the day as Emily was joining me on this day coming in from the Nigel Pass trailhead and the next campground on our route would be to far to reach on this day.

When I arrived at Four Points it was just before 8am! Must be my shortest day ever.

I spent the day reading and waiting for Emily. I heard her bear calling down the trail about a minute before she arrived.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing. Met some some people from Calgary who I had a mutual friend with, he used to be their cross country ski coach.

We went to bed reasonably early as we had a decent day ahead of us tomorrow.

The smoke was lifting as we went to bed. 

The last photo is Links' Happy Badass Bandana. Still miss my little hiking partner.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Day 4 Great Divide Trail Section E. Pinto Lakes to Boulder Creek CG.

Super fun day full of adventure and a lot of smoke. This was a big day, 32 km over Cataract Pass into the upper reaches of Bourgeau Creek in Jasper NP.

After the clear skies of my astrophotography in the middle of the night I got up at 5am, jst 3 hours after I put the camera away, to join my trail companions Jason and Bent for the day. 

The terrain was suppose to be rugged and the trail a little iffy so I thought it would be good to have some companions. As it was we got took two wrong turns in the first 15 minutes.

After several steam crossings, some with suspect bridge work, finally had to cross a wide stream and get wet feet. I had sandals, but my companions ploughed through so I figured I had to keep up.

I found a rock with ancient Indigenous petroglyphs. It is just off trail, but a good day and a half hike from any road.

We passed from Banff NP to Alberta Parks Wilderness area. There is wild camping in the Wilderness area, but good camping spots are hard to find.

I was going to stop for the day short of Cataract Pass, but it was so smokey I thought I would continue on.

We had lunch at the base of Cataract Pass. I used Frosty Paws as a table for my lunch.

It was such a big day I will conclude the trip in another post.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto La Milky Way and the Persaids Meteor Shower. Pinto Lake

On the night of day 3 I got up at 2am to take photos of the night sky. I was hoping to catch the Milky Way and I knew that the Perseids was going on, so hoping to see both.

I must have seen a good couple of dozen meteors during the hour I was awake.

I went to sleep in my hiking clothes because I knew I was getting up at 2am to take photos then we had a big day ahead of us so the breakfast wake up call was 5am!

I got so lucky with the pictures as in the couple's hours between returning to bed and getting up to start Day 4, the smoke rolled in.

Photo 1 is the Milky Way but no meteor. There are meteors in the following three photos.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #milkyway, #perseidmeteorshower #perseids #nightimephotography #astrophotography
Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first p Great Divide Trail Section E, Valley after first pass on the Six Passes route.

New post on www.Bootwreckers.com, preparation and plan for my GDT Section D and E hike for the summer of 2021 (see link in bio)

Learned a lot from last year,  still discovered some new things about hiking and camping.

First post has to do with all aspects of preparation:
- Gear
- Food
- Training
- Itinerary 

The GDT - Where everyday is an adventure.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E. Day 3 of my trip on Great Divide Trail Section E.

Relatively easy day from Michelle Lakes to Pinto Lake, only over two passes.

I started traveling with two guys I met actually at Yoho a week back, Jason and Bent.

Of course Frosty was on trip, enjoying the early morning at Michelle Lakes.

The first Lake is Upper Michelle Lake.

The photo of me at the pass is at the unofficial names Michelle Pass. Then it was up to Pinto Pass.

I took a one last picture back to Michelle Pass. Last picture is at Pinto Lake.

Great day, only got a little lost.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Jupiter and 4 little moons First try at astrophot Jupiter and 4 little moons

First try at astrophotography using my camera attached to a telescope, 8" Celeron

Pretty happy with results. Need to research settings for camera to get some colour on Jupiter, but for a first try pretty happy.

Taken from field near Two Jack Lake in Banff NP. Jupiter was over Mt Rundle.

#artofvisual #visualoflife #areyouawake  #earthfocus  #adventurethatislife #createscenery #earthexperience #primeshots #simplyadventure #goparks #wildernessculture #folkscenery #wondersofourplanet #amazingphotohunter #all2epic #milliondollarvisuals #sky_sultans #astrophotography #astronomy
Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Another photo of the waterfall at Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #sunstar
#waterfall
#waterfalls
Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Sectio Campsite at Lower Michelle Lakes, Day 2 GDT Section E.

Scored the best campsite on the trip at Lower Michelle Lakes. Had more own personal waterfall. Frosty as always had the best spot.

Spent the day relaxing, reading and watching the helicopter activity. 

Started the next day hiking with Jason and Bent who camped by Upper Michelle Lakes and did not know about the waterfall.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking #zpacks #teamzpacks
Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Morning at Ball Pass Junction, west end of Haiduk Peak.  Day 3 of our hike around the Egypt Lake area. Thrilled with the colours of the morning sky.

We had some rain overnight, but not much. The clouds lifted off later in the morning. 

Another great day on the trail with @sio.mellors

#parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada
Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP. Super fun 4 day Evening at Shadow Lake, Banff NP.

Super fun 4 day hike with @sio.mellors thought the trails around Egypt Lake area.

Shadow Lake was our first evening and was a lovely place to watch the sunset.

 #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #sunset #shadowlake #Egyptlake #banffalberta #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #reflection #reflections
Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatche Day 1 Great Divide Trail Section E 2021, Saskatchewan River Crossing to Upper Owens Creek.

First day of my 11 day hike from Sask River Crossing to Jasper. I was solo for the first 5 days before being joined my my daughter at Four Points CG.

This was only day I actuall slept on my own.

I left Sask River Crossing at 12:30pm followed an old road that intersected th GDT just past the park gates.

Hiked until about 6:30pm as I wanted to camp near tree line for a clear view of th nights sky. The sky was clear and the Perseids Meteor shower was on and did not disappoint 

Photo 1) my tent and the Milky Way

Photo 2) Me getting ready to  head out

Photo 3) view looking West along th north Saskatchewan River

Photo 4) water dropping into the canyon on Owens Creek

Photo 5) the slide that gave people grief earlier in the summer was passable at creek level

Photo 6) the confluence was a mess a hard going

Photo 7) nice waterfall after th confluence

Photo 8) little Canyon near upper reaches of th creek

Photo 9) dinner cooking in th kitchen

Photo 10) Frosty Paws, me and my tent

Was a great day out on th trail.

#greatdivide #greatdividetrail #gdt #parkscanada #parks #bcparks #trails #longdistancehike #longtrail #outdoors #outside #thruhike #hike #thruhiking #outside #backpacking
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