Lake Louise Camping Hiking Saddle Mountain July 22, 2018

On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again!

After arriving home from my Elbow Lake backpack trip, I had two and a half days to unpack, do laundry, grocery shop, cook, pack up and get on the road again.  This time around I headed to Lake Louise to camp for three nights and accomplish three hikes.  The only time I have ever spent any time at the Campground was to X-C Ski throughout it in the winter.  Now I get to see what the soft-sided part of the campground looks like in summer.  It was comforting to know that an electrified fence surrounds it as a mom grizzly and her cubs were hanging out across the bridge in the hard-sided part. 

First things first though, I planned to get high!  I have been up to Fairview Mountain numerous times from Saddleback Pass but never up Saddle Mountain.  Every time I was in that area I would think some day I will head up there.  Today was the day!  

My stars aligned for hiking & camping today!

I arrived at the Lake Louise parking lot at 7:45 and was given the finger to head up to the upper lot and it was already half full.  I got my spot, tied up my boots, then delayered before even strapping my pack on.  It was warm, it was beautiful and I was in my happy place.

arriving at Saddleback Pass

I chatted with some people at The Pass, answering their queries about Fairview Mountain.  They headed that way and I took the trail in the opposite direction.  It was a fun little climb to Saddle's summit.  The views were outstanding.  I captured one of many summit shots with this one being in front of Temple.

looking across to the summit of Fairview

looking down to Saddleback Pass (that little brown spot in the middle)

I was all over the top of Saddle Mountain. 

On this end you can see down to The Chateau.

See colorful Temple Lake?

I think it's called that!

I invested a significant amount of time on the top then worked my way through the boulders back to The Pass.  That's Saddle Mountain.  Yes, and that is a bear warning sign on the right.  It recommends you be in a group of four people to carry on down that way to Paradise Valley.

It was a short drive to the Lake Louise Campground, check in was quick and I found my site.  I could not have been more pleased with the location, the size and the layout.  I set up my home away from home then a stroll around the hood was in order, as was collecting fire wood upon my return.

My new hammock is a keeper.  

It swayed me to sleep.  

After my nap, after dinner time, after fire time, I packed it in, in the daylight.  I had low expectations for a good night sleep from what I had been told about the train noise. Whether the trains did not run, or because I was further back in the campground, or my ear plugs worked,  I slept through the night.  Then again, remembering back, I seemed to have my best nights of sleep when I am out in the woods sleeping in my tent.  

Tomorrow is another day, that's all I can say.  I have been having issues with which day of the week it actually is.  I only know that tomorrow is day two of my camping trip.  What else matters anyway!