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Stenton Lake Day 2

Morning reflections at Stenton Lake.

Day 1 Front Door to Stenton Lake, 18.5 km, 385 m Elevation Gain, 1319 m Elevation Loss, 8 hrs 13 min.

Not going to take the data from the Viewranger to be too accurate because my tablet turned off in the middle of the hike down the side stream.

Escaped the tent at 6:30 am. This was pretty early considering we had been up for almost an hour in the middle of the night but it was a long walk home. Went and retrieved our food from our pathetic bear hang and was pleased to see that it had survived the night.

Our bear hand in the trees on the left.

We started hiking at about 8:10 am. We went around the west end of the and headed up the grassy slope as described in the guide book. A much more gradual ascent then the descent down the rocky boulder field we did the day before. As we started walking up the slope Emily spotted some quails in the grass. I did get some pictures but they are somewhat fuzzy as I had forgotten to switch my camera back to auto focus after having it on manual focus for the night time photography I had done.

Emily looking at the quail.
The quail is on the rock at bottom left. This is a crop of the photo with Emily.
Quail at the end of the rock. Very good camouflage.

For the beginning of the day it was a pretty stiff hike to the ridge. The route rose 144 m over about 3/4 of a kilometre. We arrived at a massive grassy plateau. I am not a soccer fan but with the 2018 World Cup have wrapped up recently I thought that the plateau would have been an amazing place to host a game.We headed east and went over the minor high point on the ride that we avoided yesterday. Then after a short drop headed back up the shaley slope and started retracing our steps from yesterday.

Its a steep hike to start.
Sunrise over Stenton Peak.
Emily pointing at something.
Flattening out. The Valley down to the Ghost opening up to our right.
Another Banff NP Boundary Marker. The amazing limestone cliffs the ridge leading down from Mt Charles Stewart. The shear face of the cliff is 500 m high and rises almost 1 km above the valley floor.
Cougar Col is at the small snowfield on the right. This ridge will lead to the minor high point before continuing onto our route from yesterday.
Emily and I both loved the massive cliffs on the Mt Charles Stewart.

We ascend up the shaley slope and through the cliff band. This is the big elevation for the day about 245 m from the grassy ridge. The sun was shining but the air was still cool as we worked our way up along the trails of yesterday. The beginning of a hike often lacks the urgency of the end of the day and with the more relaxed hiking comes the opportunity for more sightseeing.

The mountain to the left of Emily is Mt Peachee, The peak in the far far distance just left of Emily is Mt Aylmer, on the far side of Lake Minnewanka. The grassy patch behind Emily is where I thought they should have played the World Cup, would have been epic!
Working through the cliff band.
One of my all time favourite photos of Emily.
Super star hiker.
The trails sidesloping past the peak back to the ridge where we saw the sheet yesterday.
Looking back to where we had been. We have been hiking for 1hr 25 min and covered about 2.5 km.

We hiked under the tallest peak on our route. Yesterday I had been quite nervous as cut across the slope and was wondering when the feeling would return. I was shocked when we arrived back at our high point as I never once felt uneasy. Guess spending time at elevation helps the confidence return. Arrival at the high point brought back the stunning 360 degree views and loads of butterflies all around us.

Well defined trail as we approached our high point for the day.
The big views to the south west returned.
Hey, I am on the trip.
The large flat area with the butterflies. Someone took the time to organize the rocks into a ring for no apparent reason (centre left).
Butterfly

We arrived back at Cougar Col and started our descent. We decided to not do the bushwhacking we had done the day before but to follow the creek bed to see if it would provide a more direct route. We followed the drainage down the grassy slope and into quite a wide canyon formed by quite a feeble flow of water. Marmots inhabited the cliffs to our right wand and serenaded us with their high pitched whistles. Another quail made an appearance to add to our wildlife count.

Have to get to the creek at the bottom of the valley.
The headwaters of the creek.
Soft and grassy on our feet. A pleasant change from the scree.
Mt Charles Stewart and the canyon we would follow.
Quail on the rocks.
Seems like an obvious way down.
There is a marmot whistling at us from the top of the cliffs.
Close up photo of the above photo of our furry accuser.

We followed the developing creek bed down the slope. At first it was relatively easy as there was little water in the creek. The creek did start to slowly fill up making the numerous stream crossings more challenging. With the thick vegetation lining the sides of the creek we found ourselves in a very pretty but ever deepening and challenging canyon that offered up a very dodgy stream crossing.

Easy walking next to the creek.
Emily crossing a what appears to be a easy creek crossing. The final shot makes clear the penalty for slipping.

We continued down the right hand side (east) of the creek. We had to navigate lots of small waterfalls. As we searched for a way around another constriction up to our right a very obvious path appeared through the bush. We followed the path and a few minutes later it popped us out at the creek junction where we had become stuck yesterday and had decided to bushwhack up the slope.

Some of the pretty waterfalls.
A tight and winding creek with lots of vegetation crowding us.
Guessing we descended over he bear rocks to the left.
Emily on the path that we found.
The path provided us with an easy way past this waterfall.

As we emerged from the path back to the creek we could see how the hidden path through the woods connected with the path below. If hiking up the creek if we would have continued on a trajectory up from the lower path it would have delivered us right to the upper path that would have led up past the creek obstacles.

Had we followed the trajectory of this lower path across the side creek it would have led us to the hidden path on the other side.
Emily pointing out where the entrance to the upper path is. We did erect a small cairn to mark the opening.

We continued retracing out steps down the creek. Past the last of the large waterfalls and scrambled down the steep slope from yesterday. We found the path on the left side of the creek and it took us to an deserted camp that we had missed yesterday. The camp seemed quite complete and could have possibly been occupied relatively recently judging by the condition of the plastic tarp that was hanging. The camp was located at coordinates (-115.29567, 51.14748)

Scrambling down the cliff we worked so hard to come up.
Heading downstream. Trying to keep our feet dry. I think today both Emily and I would just walk down the stream.
The camp that we found.
It did not look as if anyone had been there recently but the blue tarp was in good shape
It was quite an extensive campsite.

Back to the creek bed we continued on way down. We moved in and out of the forest as we found remnants of the trail. We stopped by the large tower to rest and refuel. We were swarmed by nasty little biting flies so we kept our stop short.

Our view for the rest of the hike.

The sun rose high in the sky and blasted down on us. The temperature rose to 32C, coupled with the reflection off the white rocks of the creek bed we started to overheat. We attempted to keep cool by hiking in the trees whenever possible and soaking our hats and sleeves of our shirts in the cool waters of the creek. As we got further down the creek the walls of the canyon closed in making it difficult to find areas of shade but we searched out shade and rested when we could.

I still found time to look at cool rock formations.
Emily heading downstream through the boulders.
The stream looks worse from above.
On last look back

We headed down through Cougar Canyon passing many climbers enjoying the warmth of the day. We hustled home as quick as we could arriving back at the house at 4:23 pm, hot, tired and happy.

Stenton lake can be assessed as an out and back as we did, from the top of South Ghost River or from Lake Minnewanka bushwhacking over from Carrot Creek. I have a tentative plan with Ken Symington (see Brazeau and Sawback hikes) to hike to Stenton Lake starting at Lake Minnewanka. Whatever route you pick Stenton Lake is an amazing and gratifying destination and belongs on the to do list of any Bow Valley backpacker.

Stenton Lake

Stenton Lake Home

bootwreckers

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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