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Mt Aylmer Lookout Banff NP

Postcard Views and Burgers

Panorama of Lake Minnewanka from Aylmer Lookout

June 13, 2021. Trailhead at Lake Minnewanka Day Use Area, out and back to Aylmer Lookout, 24.5 km, 600 m elevation gain/loss, 6 hrs 50 min.

Siobhan wanted to do a Father’s Day hike but she would not be in town on Father’s Day so we went a week early. Aylmer Lookout is a popular hike in Banff NP and Siobhan had talked about doing the hike for a couple of weeks. It had been quite warm out but since it was June in the Rockies any trail heading up in elevation would be still snowbound so our options for a long day hike were still quite limited. Aylmer Lookout was a obvious choice for a good early season hike plus a friend of Siobhan’s had recently completed the hike and shared some great photos. Simply put the hike was fantastic. I cannot believe that I have lived in the Rockies for almost 25 years and have never taken the time to hike to Aylmer Lookout.

We knew the trail would be busy so we got up somewhat early and arrived at the parking lot at Lake Minnewanka at 8:55 am and were on the trail at 9:00 (I did say “somewhat early”). The trail cuts through the Minnewanka day use area before cutting over to the lake to follow the shoreline up past the mouth of the Cascade River to a bridge located in a pretty canyon known as Stewart Canyon. There is a trail up Stewart Canyon the Cascade Valley Trail but it starts at the trailhead for C-Level Cirque. It was very quiet while we made our way to the bridge one runner pass by us and one cyclist. The first 8.25 km of trail stays close to the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka and is frequented by hikers, runners and mountain bikers.

Our first destination is Campground Lm 8 Aylmer Pass Junction. That is where we will leave the lakeside trail and head up to the Aylmer Pass Lookout.
Looking out to the mouth of the Cascade River.
Looking up the Cascade River as it flows through Stewart Canyon.

The trail heads uphill right after the bridge giving us a little elevation gain at the beginning of the hike. We pasted a group of three hikers with a small dog. We picked up the pace a little as they were talking very loud so we wanted to put some distance between us and them quickly. The trail headed back to Lake Minnewanka while rising slightly. Soon after returning to the lake the trail dropped quickly and stayed just a few tens of metres above the lake all the way to the junction to Aylmer Lookout. While the trail runs along the lake it is quite exposed to the sun so we stopped in a shady spot to sunscreen up. A solo hiker passed us by and a group of backpackers came up the trail the other way after spending a night at one of the lakeside campsites. We hustled our sun screening as we could hear a loud group coming down the trail and we thought it may have been the group from the bridge. We did not need to bother rushing as the loud voices belonged to a mother/daughter trail running duo that passed by us quickly. We would see the trail runners again while we were on the uphill approach to the Aylmer Lookout and they were on their return trip.

Looking south east to the west end of Mt Rundle.

There were quite a few mountain bikers that passed by us. Everyone was quite friendly and polite. A couple with two large white samoyeds stepped aside as we passed them. The dogs were lovely and friendly but was not sure how they would fair on hike with the heat rising. We ran into a co-worker of mine out for a ride with her family. We had a lovely chat by the trail and would catch up to them again when we arrived at the junction to Aylmer Lookout. At almost exactly 8 km we crossed a narrow bridge over the creek draining Aylmer Pass. A couple hundred metres later we arrived at the junction to Aylmer Pass and the Lookout we had been hiking for 1 hr 50 min. Another short chat with our friends who were taking a break and it was time we turned our attention to heading up towards the pass.

Shortly after leaving the junction we stopped to refuel and adjust our shoes. The lakeside trail was very wide allowing for side by side travel now we were on a much narrower trail and walking single file.

Heading uphill.

The uphill climb was very pleasant. The trail never got very steep. We caught up to a group of four that had passed us during our break but they remained just far enough in front that we could not hear them. It took us 55 minutes to hike the uphill from the junction with the lakeside trail to the junction where we would turn off and head to Aylmer Lookout now only 2 km away.

Siobhan pointing the way to Aylmer Lookout.

Heading to Aylmer Pass leads to some very wild areas of Banff NP that few people venture to. We turned right and headed up to Aylmer Lookout. The hike up was fun as it had a lot of variation in a less than 2 km stretch. The trail twisted and turned and there was even a downhill section to stretch the legs before the final uphill. The solo hiker who passed us back when we were sun screening ourselves came by hiking the other way after his visit to the Lookout. Views of Lake Minnewanka began to appear as we gained elevation and the trees opened up.

The trail to the top.
First view of Lake Minnewanka.
I am on the trip.

As we made our way towards the final slope to the Lookout we could see the group of four just in front of us and a single guy coming down an alternate path. The trail was quite steep for the last few hundred metres but the view from the top was worth it. It had taken us 3 hrs 20 min to hike the 12 km to Aylmer Lookout.

The final push. The group of four near the top and you can just see guy heading down on the left of the picture.
Siobhan at the top.

Aylmer Lookout is worth the long walk providing views all up and down Lake Minnewanka. Other than the group of four who arrived just before us we were the only people at the Lookout. There is a natural photo spot just past the top on the lakeside. After waiting patiently for the other group to take their photos we took our photos and ask a person from th group to take a photo of the two of us.

Siobhan, Lake Minnewanka, the edge of Banff town site in the distance and the snow capped peaks of the Sundance Range.
Happy team. Mt Inglismaldie (2964 m) towering above us was named for a castle in Scotland.
Big Smiles.

After arriving at the top Siobhan was a little suspicious that something was up. First I was backpacking with the pack I used on the Great Divide Trail last year which was a little excessive for a day hike. Second as soon as we arrived at Aylmer Lookout she could see me looking around the top focused on trying to find something. It is always fun to have a little treat when hiking so for this day I had brought my camping stove and a frying pan to cook up some burgers for lunch. So I was looking for a sheltered spot to set up the stove out of the wind. Siobhan started laughing when I pulled the frying pan out of the backpack. It was a surprise and needless to say it was a big hit!

Cooking up some burgers.
Got cheese and you can see the buns in the bag already have lettuce and garnishes on them.
Not a bad kitchen. View was pretty good.
Burger and a view.
Siobhan enjoying her burger.

While we were having lunch the area on the top started to fill up. We decided to leave as soon as we had finished our burgers. I counted a total of 15 people at the top as we getting ready to lave. Just before we left I took a picture of a grassy meadow in the distance across the lake. While most people would probably not even notice the meadow it was significant to me as is above Stenton Lake. I hiked to Stenton Lake with Emily in 2018 and it remains one of my favourite overnight camping trips. It is not everyday you can hike to a deserted lake and view the Milky Way starting the hike right from your front door.

Centre right in the far distance is a flattish brown plateau. Stenton Lake is down the far side. the peak behind is Stenton Peak (2815 m)

Our stay at Aylmer Lookout was about 45 minutes. We started back down just after 1 pm. I was shocked the steady stream of people we passed heading up to the lookout. It was a lot like rush hour. As downhill hikers and the fact that we were not really in a rush Siobhan and I pulled over to let the hikers pass. I am guessing we passed 20 or more people heading up to the Lookout. One of the groups that passed us was the couple we passed near the beginning of the hike with samoyeds! They had made it all the way to the Lookout. We starting jogging lightly letting gravity do some of the work to propel us forward. We arrived back at the junction for Aylmer Pass in just 18 minutes compared to the 30 minutes it had take us to hike up. Siobhan was just about to change into her running shoes when we noticed a deer feeding a short way off the trail. The deer seemed to be very habituated to people as it paid us no notice and just kept munching away. We took a couple of photos and headed down the trail a short way so Siobhan could change into her shoes without disturbing the deer.

Just not very concerned about us.

After Siobhan had finished changing into shoes we continued running down the trail. Siobhan was happy to let me lead and recorded a short video that she later posted to Instagram. The music to the video was “Walking the Dog”, not sure I approved of that choice. We made great time running even given the fact that I had a huge crash near the bottom. I tripped over a rock and rolled onto my back. I thought I was going to get away with the crash and not get hurt but I ended up landing on my left leg and slamming the bear spray hard into the side of my thigh. Remembering the advice coaches gave me in my youth to walk off an injury I rubbed my thigh and headed off back down the trail running. To be truthful I do not think the advice to walk it off is well thought out but my leg did feel better and never did bruise. We arrived back at the junction with the main trial just 50 minutes after leaving the Lookout. For comparison the trip up had taken 1 hr 25 min. What was interesting after all the people we pasted initially heading up to the Lookout. we only passed one group after leaving the deer.

There was a women leaning against a tree at the junction. We chatted for a couple of minutes and then headed on our way back towards the car. Upon reflection there seemed to be something not quite right with the situation with the women. Siobhan agreed so we headed back and Siobhan asked her if she was OK or needed any help. She said she was fine so we turned around and headed back down the trail a second time. We passed a smattering of people and a few mountain bikers passed us but the trail was not very busy.

Siobhan with Cascade Mt (3006 m) in the background. This is pretty much the condition of the trail as it runs along the lake. Kinda rocky.
Siobhan looking at something.
Siobhan striking the Instagram pose.

As we turned to walk up Stewart Canyon towards the bridge what looked like an mother/daughter duo rode past. The daughter was leading riding a tricked out modern mountain bike. The older mom cycled passed shortly after on a bike I could date to the late 90’s based on the brakes. As we entered the woods just before the coming to the bridge we met a women walking with an incredibly well behaved, friendly and huge cane corso. Both Siobhan and I enjoyed giving him vigorous scratches. He was also very slobbery. After saying goodbye to our new four legged friend we headed down to the bridge over Cascade River and back to the day use area. After spending almost 7 hours on the trail we were not quite prepared for the scene that greeted us as we walked through the day use area. The place was packed with people. People enjoying the lake side, people having picnics, people barbecuing. It was wall to wall people. When we arrived back at the car after an amazing hike we felt somewhat pressured to leave quickly. There were people driving laps of the parking lot waiting for a parking spot to open. When someone figured out we were leaving they stopped and waited for us holding up everyone behind them.

While the hike ended a little rush it had been a fantastic day. The only thing that could make it better was the ice cold smoothy and milkshake we got at Blondies back in Canmore. So long Aylmer Lookout it won’t be 26 years before I come back to visit.

One last view from Aylmer Lookout.

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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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