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!  

Elbow Lake Backpack July 17-19 2018

I have been to Elbow Lake so many times on the way to and from places like Piper Pass, Rae Glacier,  Tombstone Lakes, Rae Lake, Tombstone Pass.   On the way back from these hikes when we arrived back at Elbow Lake late in the afternoon or very early evening, I tried to prolong leaving because I liked it here so much.   I always wondered what it would look like here at sunset and sunrise.  I have all the time in the world now so I put a plan in place to witness these occurrences.  

Accomplishing this would mean a short solo backpack trip for two nights.  From the Parking Lot to the Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground is only about 1.4 kms with around 150 meters of cumulative elevation gain.  The hike up almost feels like the angle of a slash  / .  I was a bit apprehensive carrying everything on my back by myself.  I got my pack on my back, I wobbled a bit, got my balance, put my head down, did not stop, did not look up until I got to the Lake.  

I wanted to do this so I could have time to do just this!

I picked a campsite and set up my home away from home for two nights.  I got the tent up and as I began to set up the guide above it, three teenage boys from the next campsite scurried over.  They had a little time to pass before vacating their site so took over getting the guide up.  They were from France, Mexico and Germany and were on a guided camping trip heading next to the Icefield Parkway.

It was early afternoon and very hot.  I sauntered around Elbow Lake and then sat by it for quite some time watching two guys fishing and paddle boarding.  Afterwards I joined them as they made a fire and cooked their meal before leaving for the day.  They were fortunate to have the day off work so made the best of it.

same spot but now into the later evening

I strolled around waiting for sunset but was not successful in witnessing that.  My eye lids got heavy and I needed to get into my home away from home for the night.  It was a hot evening so I left both outside doors open to let air pass through.

I was successful in seeing the sunrise the next morning.

After enjoying the sunrise, my coffee and then breakfast, I changed my attire and went for a stroll.  

I walked around the Elbow Lake shoreline....

....then followed the Big Elbow Trail towards Tombstone area.  I ventured off trail here and there, up onto rolling hills and into wide open meadows.  It was early and the light was beautiful.  I made loads of noise to let anything or anyone know I was in the area.

I went as far as the Tombstone Overlook and could see down towards the Tombstone Campground and yes it is closed and under construction.  On the way back I went into see the Edworthy Falls.  I knew they were there but when hiking out this way, we just passed on by.  

This was the first view of Edworthy Falls.

 I worked my way down to the bottom...

...then invested a little time here.

As I arrived back to my home away from home, I could hear thunder rumbling in the distance.  

Full darker clouds were developing and the wind picked up.  

I changed into warmer wear and kept my rain pants & jacket close by.  

It was time to get a fire going and just hang out.  Some neighbours joined in.

As dinner time approached it began to rain so I headed off to the cooking/dining area where there is loads of shelter.  I joined a son/father/grandfather trio for dinner and enjoyed their fire.  Others joined in and we had quite a gang, with great conversation. The rain stopped and the sky cleared but it remained cool.

After dinner then after fire time, my eye lids got heavy and I needed to get into my home away from home for the night.  It was a cool night so I made sure both outside doors were closed up.  Once again, I missed the sunset but I caught the sunrise the next morning.

some sights from the 3 days

After admiring the sunrise, then enjoying my coffee by the Lake, and savouring breakfast, I dismantled my home away from home.  I took time to make sure I got everything neatly and properly packed back into my pack.  I got my pack on my back, I wobbled a bit, got my balance then headed on down to the parking lot.  I made it!

This was a learning and growing experience for me.  I carried more weight than was necessary but still managed fine.  But, it was a short easy trip.  Rain or shine, with the right gear I could be comfortable at all times.  The backpacking people are very friendly and inclusive.  Recognizing that I was solo, they were so willing to lend a hand and extend invitations.   I will admit, I feel somewhat proud that I went through with this and came out the other end having pushed my comfort zone a little further out.  That's what I call success!

Citadel Pass July 15, 2018

So it begins!  Lucky Friday the 13th of July was my last day of work.  I don't have a whole lot to show from once I got home on Friday and into Saturday because I laid down to rest and fourteen hours later I was fully awake.  There were a few scattered moments throughout that time frame when I partially woke but not enough to actually get going on with the day.

Come Sunday I had it in me to enjoy one of my passions on a whole new level.  Citadel Pass has it all so I went for it.  I hopped on the Gondola pretty much as soon as it began running and made my way up to Sunshine Village.  The early morning light was beautiful, the temperature perfect and only a scattered few others were in the vicinity.

 I opted to pass on by Rock Isle Lake which looked like a sheet of glass this calm morning.

 flowers were flourishing

I made it up to Quartz Ridge but there would be no going up Quartz Hill.  The trail is blocked and a sign posted to say stay off.   In fact at the main intersection a kilometer into the hike, the new sign does not even include Quartz Ridge or the distance to it.

After a short break on the Ridge it was down hill towards Howard Douglas Lake and Campground.  Along the trail if you are in the right spot you get a full on view of Mount Assiniboine.  The trail was dry, the flowers were blooming and it was oh so green.

 Then there was the climb up from Howard Douglas Lake out into the wide open meadow.

 a view from the meadow of the different colors of mountains

Backpackers coming from Assiniboine area were collecting water from this creek.  

 The paintbrush carpeted the area just before Citadel Pass.

 Citadel Lake

 Citadel Peak

I arrived at Citadel Pass and there were four others settled in snacking.  I wanted my own space so carried on through the Pass and down to the meadow on the other side.  I wanted to go on even further but knew that would not be a smart thing to do today.  By now it was hot and I still had loads of uphill for the return trip.  I made this my destination spot....

....with this being my lunch time view.  

I went well pass that tarn you see on the right but came backup hill to dine.

I stuck to the lower trail and took a right to visit up higher towards Fatigue Pass.  That Pass is not much further but it was not for me today.  This is the kiosk marking Citadel Pass.  I took a few minutes in this area before beginning to head back the way I came.

The views continued to be incredible.  This time I stopped at Howard Douglas Lake to check it out from different vantage points.  This was my favourite view.  Backpackers took a break to fish here while on their way to Sunshine from Assiniboine.

Then I had that long climb back up to Quartz Ridge.  It was a slow go taking time to catch my breath and to look back at the view.  There you have Howard Douglas Lake and see Mount Assiniboine sticking up on the right!  That big brown square in the middle is Citadel Peak.

I was happy to make it back up to Quartz Ridge because I knew it would be mostly down hill from there with a very few long gradual uphill sections.  That's Rock Isle Lake again in the middle.  You can see the scorched sections from last summer's fire.  Seeing it put it into perspective.  I did not realize the fire came this close.

From here it was just a click or so downhill to The Village.  It was early enough that I sat at a picnic table, spread out the balance of my food, then ate it all.  There was no need to rush on with the day this time.  I always felt I truly took enough time to "Remember to Breathe" but it seemed different today in a whole new way.  I like where retirement is taking me!

Guinn's Pass & Mt Kidd Outlier July 8, 2018

Am I a lost cause?  Is it called addiction?  I passed on my two hour kayak lesson this morning in favour of spending eight hours hiking.  The plan was for yesterday to hike up the new Guinn's Pass Trail to the Pass and then to the Mount Kidd Outlier high above The Pass.  Then I would enjoy my kayak lesson today.  I aborted yesterday's plan after four kilometers in due to rain, mud, thunder & lightening.  I lost all momentum, interest and motivation.  

I like to call it my passion, it's my soul savior, I desire the fresh forest, the open slopes, the wide open vistas and the feeling I feel when my summit fever is cured for the day. What a difference a day makes.  I woke wanting a redo of yesterday.  So a redo I did!

the new Guinn's Pass Trail

With the early start I had a smooth sail out the 1 and down the 40.  Choice spots were plentiful at the parking lot.  The Galatea Creek Trail to Lillian Lake gave me that fresh forest hug.  It passed by quickly over bridge, along creek, up hill, over bridge, along creek, up hill and again and then, Lillian Lake.  Five minutes was all I needed here then off beyond and up to the intersection.  This is where the new Guinn's Pass Trail begins.

WOW I love this new trail.  I already knew that I did just 10 minutes into it.  What a marvelous job the trail makers did!  Thank You! Thank You!  Thank You! The views are constant right from the start.  I liked going around the edge of the rock face in this section.

Lillian Lake

Galatea Lake

Traversing higher along the new trail and looking back to where I came from!

Traversing higher along the new trail and looking forward to where I am going!

I made it to Guinn's Pass.

I'm thankful for the blue sky and being able to see forever.

Going even higher Ribbon Lake comes into view.

As I was ascending, I could see backpackers coming up to Guinn's Pass from the Ribbon Lake side.  It looked like a grueling ascent for them and I believe my feeling about that was confirmed when they reached The Pass and let out the loudest scream of accomplishment!  See the tiny dots at The Pass?  That's them!

There was so much to enjoy about today, I felt like I was on cloud 9 or I should say in cloud 9!

My destination shot!

Yeah, thumbs up!

Well before noon still, yet my stomach felt like it was noon.  This was my lunch time view, nestled down, against the cairn, stretched out, breathing in the mountain air.  Awwww this is the life!

After lunch I puttered around the area.  I could see it all from here, Lillian Lake, Galatea Lake, and a long stretch of the new trail.  All these mountains have names and from this point I cannot tell you what is what or which is which.  I just like what I see and that is all that matters.

Pretty geology full of stories I am sure!

What's the story here?

What are the chances I would run into someone I know!  Well actually Fanny ran into me as she was running one way from Galatea Parking Lot to Ribbon Lake Parking Lot while I was well into my descent.   I hope the rest of your run went well!

I took one last look back at Fanny and her friend.

You see those dots on the trail waving?  That's them!  

What a view that I had to leave behind.  

The kayak lesson that I passed on cost me $40.00.  

Today's hike up to Mount Kidd Outlier was priceless.  

I think I made a wise choice and got quite a steal of a deal.  

Just another Super Sunday! 

What a fun day!