Stayed Home Last Summer and did Nuttin.....Round #1
.......But have fun playing in the rivers, lakes, mountains and coast line of British Columbia and western Alberta. Managed to get in 3 trips to the Rockies, Selkirk, Monashee mountains, 2 trips fishing in north central BC for springs and steelhead, a canoe trip to the Broken Islands off Vancouver Islands west coast, canoe trips down some local rivers.
Had generally cool weather but it's always great to get out and go camping in this great neck of the woods.
Drove to Canmore Mid June and camped at 3 sisters PP near Dead Mans Flats south of Canmore along the Bow river. Very quiet. This is our first visit to the Rockies this year. Pat has a short 4 day training session with her Nordic skiing coach. I get to stretch the legs a bit in the local mountains.
Wet and cool hiking up to Bourgeau Lake maybe 2 hours from trailhead.. The ridge above accesses Mt. Bourgeau , a hike we will finish later on in the summer.
Just below Harvey Pass. We try and hike up Bourgeau Mt. but snow and white out conditions start to set in. Ruudie likes the cool weather.
Smithers Spring Salmon Fishing Trip.
Early July, we drive 11 hours north, destination Smithers to fish the "hogs" below Terrace on the Skeena River. This is Ronen our grandson who has plenty of hours driving the jet boat in the driveway. Just waiting for his daddy to hookup the boat to the TC and away we go.
Pat setting up the kitchen on the island beside the Skeena River after a short jet boat ride from the Truck campers. This will be our home for a number of days. Think she is already into the red wine. It is cool this early July, sometimes the weather is hot but not this time.
Work time. Because of the wet, cool and windy weather a lot of firewood has to be cut. Ya gotta start them off young or the youngins will perish in this wild, northern part of BC.
Son Andrew gets the first cobalt spring salmon. Only 26lbs but fishing is slow so we keep it. Last weekend, he and his friends caught a lot of fish with one weighing in at 49lbs.
Momma Grizz leaving the island. Must have been the roe we left for the eagles that brought her here.
Even Grumps(Dave) gets lucky.
Oh Oh, there goes junior. Where da ya think momma is?
Steve, an old Smithers friend, has himself some nice spring steaks.
Irene hauling in another "hog" down on the Skeena river.
This trip was a little slow for landing salmon but the campfires were hot, and we had lots of time to talk about the good times we had in the past living in the north for so many years. Here we are back at son Andrews place in Smithers processing the fish. He gets to fish at the different rivers close by as soon as the ice is off all the way until it freezes, for Steelhead, Sockeye, Springs and Coho.
Banff National Park July/2016
Back in the Rockies sometime around July 21st and everything is crazy busy. We plan to meet son Andrew and his wife Sue at Lake Louise as they have to attend a wedding there and we will watch our Grandson for the night. Camp in a parking area outside of Monarch CG, normally reserved for day use for RV'ers dropping off rigs as they drive up the narrow, twisty road to Takakka Falls. This year, because it is so busy in the National Parks, camping in many prohibited areas is permitted.
Lake Louise Saturday morning and already the prominade is busy with walkers going around the lake. Lots of canoes out on the lake and all of the parking spots are full.
Decide to hike up to the Lake Agnes tea house with our son, DIL and GS and another couple before they were to attend the wedding in the afternoon. The hike up was very busy. Our DIL Sue is an avid dressage rider and she wanted to talk to the wrangler of the trail horses on the way up.
Hadn't been to lake Agnes in years and now I know why. There was a big line up for refreshments at the teahouse so we brown bagged it further along the trail. Nice area for hiking if you can keep going past the crowds.
Looked after our grandson Ronen while the kids walked over the tracks to the wedding at the municipal fields and then said our good byes next morning and headed up the Icefield Parkway to the Mosquito Creek CG. From there it is just a quick hop over the road to the trailhead to the North and South Molar passes.
Ruudie chillin out in the cool, snow feed waters of Mosquito Creek.
Looking back acoss the valley from where we started. South Molar Pass is just behind us. Saw a number of hikers but compared to Lake Louise, nada.
South Molar Pass looking towards the Pipestone Valley.
Next day, we drive up towards Bow summit and turn right into the trail head just across from a pull out just across the Parkway from the trailhead to Helen Lake and beyond. You can tell how busy it is. Great scenery thoughout as you climb
Hike past Helen Lake to the Dolomite Pass. Hiked past a grizzly before Helen Lake grazeing in a weed patch. We pass a bunch of American college hikers who were quite nervous and produced their bear bangers and spray ready to do battle. We felt a lot more nervous around this group than around the bear thinking that at any moment, by accident, there was going to be spray and bangers going off .
Pat and Ruudie scrambling up a cornice on the way up Cirque Peak.
Ahhhhh! Made it says a camaflaged Ruudie at the top of Cirque Peak.
Bow glacier, falls and lake from the Peak.
Next morning, because of the traffic at Morraine Lake, we park at the trailhead to the Paradise valley and plan to hike the round trip up the valley, over Sentinal Pass, Morraine Lake and back to the truck. 25km. Pat crossing Paradise Creek with Mt. Temple looking downright perky in the morning sun.
Looking back across the Bow valley at the Lake Louise Ski area. Soon after this vantage spot we arrive at Lake Annette.
Looking into the valley of the 9 Giant Steps. Past maybe 6 hikers so far on this brilliant, July day. In a few hours, we would be seeing the hordes at Morraine Lake.
The trail up to Sentinel Pass from Paradise Valley is mostly large boldered rubble. Lots of tourists on the Morraine Lake side. Looking down at the access route from the lake.
Across the valley above Morraine Lake.
Looking back the way we have come up from the pass.
Glacier National Park(BC)
Time to head back home but we will stop in Glacier NP(BC) and get in some hiking before driving home.
The Illecilliwaet CG, #1 campsite. There were more trees a few years ago but there was a huge blow down which is not so great for privacy but good for the solar.
Todays hike will be up the Glacier Crest trail which climbs a ridge between the Asulkin Valley and the Illicilliwaet Glacier. After a lot of steep switch backs up out of the valley, we break out onto the ridge.
Ruudie never misses an opportunity to play in the snow.
Pat at the top of the ridge. We will pass some hikers on the way down but nothing like around the Lake Louise area.
Asulkin Pass across the valley. This area is extensively utilized in the winter for ski mountaineering. If you follow the trail on the left latteral morraine up which is next to the main creek, you may be able to make out the Alpine Club of Canada hut.
Drive through Revelstoke and camp overnight at the MacPherson cross country ski trails(with permission). Nice thing about 330W solar, compressor fridge,cassette toilet, 40 gal fresh, sprinkle the grey water on the flora, 2000W inverter is you can dry camp/boondock for a long time.
Hike up the trail to Mt. Revelstoke.
Broken Islands Paddling Trip.
Early August, 3 couples head off to the west coast of Vancouver Island and board a coastal freighter from Port Alberni that will drop us of at Sechart Lodge which will be our starting point for a 1 week paddling trip to the Broken Island Group which is on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Ueculet.
This is our 17' Hellman canoe which we are fitting out with the spray deck as there is open waters that we will be paddling in which has some exposed areas of the Broken group and when the wind picks up, you could fill up with water pretty quickly if the water becomes really choppy.
98% of the boats being paddled around this group of islands are kayaks. They are designed for ocean going, low to the water, sleek, cut through the waves, water proof, but we in our canoes can carry the big bulky items like camp tables, real folding camp chairs, lots of firewood, tons of adult refreshments to name a few.
Pat ready to paddle. We have travelled so many rivers in our past that getting our gear into the boat and strapping every thing in place so if you tip, your gear doesn't head to Davey Jones Locker is pretty easy.
After an hour of paddling through some open water, we come to our first island on the way to our campsite.
Ya don't get this amount of greenery with out a lot of rain. We will have a mixture of weather some sun, some rain. Looking for a good tent spot.
Brand new MSR tent. We will have 3 days of heavy rain and nary a drop makes it through the fly.
First full days paddle. Warm, calm, easy going.
Our party has 2 17' canoes and 2 17' single kayaks. Vancouver Island mountains are in the background with a layer of sea mist at their feet.
Area is popular with yachties because it is fairly protected waters and they can hang out for weeks leading the life of leisure.
Lunch stop at one of the designated CG. This is an American from Washington State who is just there for a few days. As this is a NP, you can only camp in certain places and we must pack out our garbage. There are however, compost toilets.
One of the gang waiting for a fairly large sailing boat to make passage through the narrow and shallow passageways. Hundreds of little islands in this group. Where we are now is very protected but there are places on the outer edges that have large swells and some chop if there is any kind of winds.
Back at the ranch ready for happy hour. This paddling is even easier than RVing. Unfortunately, the sun does not shine like this every day.
One major difference between lake/river paddleing and ocean paddling is that there are 2 tides every day when on the "chuck" so your boats have to be dragged up on the driftwood logs high enough each day that no water or waves will float them away at night.
One of the guys has brought his Dutch Oven which he uses as, yes, a baking oven. Digs a hole in the sand, places briquets in hole, gets them glowing red, then places the Dutch Oven on top and then places 4 or 5 more briquets on the lid.
Mmmmm!Mmmmmm! The "piece de resistance", carrot cake with cream cheese icing topped with M+M's. Now thats worth camping for.
Next morning pancakes 20 high with real Canadian maple syrup. This paddlin every day sure can get a guy craving that comfort food.
This place is so popular with out of country tourists, Parks Canada can get over $300/night for these high class condos by the beach. HaHaHa.
One of Our constant friends, the banana slug.
A short portage over an island when the tide is out.
A little bit of wind and drizzle are our companion during these next couple of days. Gerry in his easy to paddle ocean going kayak.
Morning started with the typical coastal rain storm so we hustled our breakfast tables under a big cedar. Chinese water torture, with the constant drip, drip, drip. Finally had to set up the tarp.
It is Pat's turn to cook which tonight during happy hour, is curry with nan bread. Buckets of it.
Every night is a big fire fueled by all of the driftwood we scavenge on our trips around the islands. Talk continues into the night fuelled by some good single malt scotch.
Drizzle and winds forcasted for today so the spray deck gets fastened to the canoe.
Tarp is up and just like crabs, we all scuddle underneath to keep some what dry in the pouring rain.
Weather improves a bit as we explore more of the island chain on this our 5th day of paddling.
Meal is being prepared as the evening fire is stoked by Laurie.
Last morning on the Broken Islands Group. Break camp and carry all of our gear down near the low water mark, tide is out of course and get set to load up the water craft. Freighter will come into port sometime around 3:00.
The Hellman canoe, fully loaded ready to head out. This is the way we set up for our long northern Canada wilderness trips.
We decide to try and paddle through some small passages on our way back hopeing that the tide will be high enough to get us through with out portaging.
An old sailboat in need of TLC beside the Sechart Lodge.
On the dock, waiting for the freighter to arrive.
Back in Port Alberni late, all of the restaurants are closed except for the Bavarian Inn serving hearty German food. Ya think we haven't seen food for the last week by the way we lick up the heavy, artery clogging morsals served on gigantic platers washed down with I have no idea how many bottles of red wine. Nothing like a paddling/camping trip to get the stomach rumbling.
Dave
Had generally cool weather but it's always great to get out and go camping in this great neck of the woods.
Drove to Canmore Mid June and camped at 3 sisters PP near Dead Mans Flats south of Canmore along the Bow river. Very quiet. This is our first visit to the Rockies this year. Pat has a short 4 day training session with her Nordic skiing coach. I get to stretch the legs a bit in the local mountains.
Wet and cool hiking up to Bourgeau Lake maybe 2 hours from trailhead.. The ridge above accesses Mt. Bourgeau , a hike we will finish later on in the summer.
Just below Harvey Pass. We try and hike up Bourgeau Mt. but snow and white out conditions start to set in. Ruudie likes the cool weather.
Smithers Spring Salmon Fishing Trip.
Early July, we drive 11 hours north, destination Smithers to fish the "hogs" below Terrace on the Skeena River. This is Ronen our grandson who has plenty of hours driving the jet boat in the driveway. Just waiting for his daddy to hookup the boat to the TC and away we go.
Pat setting up the kitchen on the island beside the Skeena River after a short jet boat ride from the Truck campers. This will be our home for a number of days. Think she is already into the red wine. It is cool this early July, sometimes the weather is hot but not this time.
Work time. Because of the wet, cool and windy weather a lot of firewood has to be cut. Ya gotta start them off young or the youngins will perish in this wild, northern part of BC.
Son Andrew gets the first cobalt spring salmon. Only 26lbs but fishing is slow so we keep it. Last weekend, he and his friends caught a lot of fish with one weighing in at 49lbs.
Momma Grizz leaving the island. Must have been the roe we left for the eagles that brought her here.
Even Grumps(Dave) gets lucky.
Oh Oh, there goes junior. Where da ya think momma is?
Steve, an old Smithers friend, has himself some nice spring steaks.
Irene hauling in another "hog" down on the Skeena river.
This trip was a little slow for landing salmon but the campfires were hot, and we had lots of time to talk about the good times we had in the past living in the north for so many years. Here we are back at son Andrews place in Smithers processing the fish. He gets to fish at the different rivers close by as soon as the ice is off all the way until it freezes, for Steelhead, Sockeye, Springs and Coho.
Banff National Park July/2016
Back in the Rockies sometime around July 21st and everything is crazy busy. We plan to meet son Andrew and his wife Sue at Lake Louise as they have to attend a wedding there and we will watch our Grandson for the night. Camp in a parking area outside of Monarch CG, normally reserved for day use for RV'ers dropping off rigs as they drive up the narrow, twisty road to Takakka Falls. This year, because it is so busy in the National Parks, camping in many prohibited areas is permitted.
Lake Louise Saturday morning and already the prominade is busy with walkers going around the lake. Lots of canoes out on the lake and all of the parking spots are full.
Decide to hike up to the Lake Agnes tea house with our son, DIL and GS and another couple before they were to attend the wedding in the afternoon. The hike up was very busy. Our DIL Sue is an avid dressage rider and she wanted to talk to the wrangler of the trail horses on the way up.
Hadn't been to lake Agnes in years and now I know why. There was a big line up for refreshments at the teahouse so we brown bagged it further along the trail. Nice area for hiking if you can keep going past the crowds.
Looked after our grandson Ronen while the kids walked over the tracks to the wedding at the municipal fields and then said our good byes next morning and headed up the Icefield Parkway to the Mosquito Creek CG. From there it is just a quick hop over the road to the trailhead to the North and South Molar passes.
Ruudie chillin out in the cool, snow feed waters of Mosquito Creek.
Looking back acoss the valley from where we started. South Molar Pass is just behind us. Saw a number of hikers but compared to Lake Louise, nada.
South Molar Pass looking towards the Pipestone Valley.
Next day, we drive up towards Bow summit and turn right into the trail head just across from a pull out just across the Parkway from the trailhead to Helen Lake and beyond. You can tell how busy it is. Great scenery thoughout as you climb
Hike past Helen Lake to the Dolomite Pass. Hiked past a grizzly before Helen Lake grazeing in a weed patch. We pass a bunch of American college hikers who were quite nervous and produced their bear bangers and spray ready to do battle. We felt a lot more nervous around this group than around the bear thinking that at any moment, by accident, there was going to be spray and bangers going off .
Pat and Ruudie scrambling up a cornice on the way up Cirque Peak.
Ahhhhh! Made it says a camaflaged Ruudie at the top of Cirque Peak.
Bow glacier, falls and lake from the Peak.
Next morning, because of the traffic at Morraine Lake, we park at the trailhead to the Paradise valley and plan to hike the round trip up the valley, over Sentinal Pass, Morraine Lake and back to the truck. 25km. Pat crossing Paradise Creek with Mt. Temple looking downright perky in the morning sun.
Looking back across the Bow valley at the Lake Louise Ski area. Soon after this vantage spot we arrive at Lake Annette.
Looking into the valley of the 9 Giant Steps. Past maybe 6 hikers so far on this brilliant, July day. In a few hours, we would be seeing the hordes at Morraine Lake.
The trail up to Sentinel Pass from Paradise Valley is mostly large boldered rubble. Lots of tourists on the Morraine Lake side. Looking down at the access route from the lake.
Across the valley above Morraine Lake.
Looking back the way we have come up from the pass.
Glacier National Park(BC)
Time to head back home but we will stop in Glacier NP(BC) and get in some hiking before driving home.
The Illecilliwaet CG, #1 campsite. There were more trees a few years ago but there was a huge blow down which is not so great for privacy but good for the solar.
Todays hike will be up the Glacier Crest trail which climbs a ridge between the Asulkin Valley and the Illicilliwaet Glacier. After a lot of steep switch backs up out of the valley, we break out onto the ridge.
Ruudie never misses an opportunity to play in the snow.
Pat at the top of the ridge. We will pass some hikers on the way down but nothing like around the Lake Louise area.
Asulkin Pass across the valley. This area is extensively utilized in the winter for ski mountaineering. If you follow the trail on the left latteral morraine up which is next to the main creek, you may be able to make out the Alpine Club of Canada hut.
Drive through Revelstoke and camp overnight at the MacPherson cross country ski trails(with permission). Nice thing about 330W solar, compressor fridge,cassette toilet, 40 gal fresh, sprinkle the grey water on the flora, 2000W inverter is you can dry camp/boondock for a long time.
Hike up the trail to Mt. Revelstoke.
Broken Islands Paddling Trip.
Early August, 3 couples head off to the west coast of Vancouver Island and board a coastal freighter from Port Alberni that will drop us of at Sechart Lodge which will be our starting point for a 1 week paddling trip to the Broken Island Group which is on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Ueculet.
This is our 17' Hellman canoe which we are fitting out with the spray deck as there is open waters that we will be paddling in which has some exposed areas of the Broken group and when the wind picks up, you could fill up with water pretty quickly if the water becomes really choppy.
98% of the boats being paddled around this group of islands are kayaks. They are designed for ocean going, low to the water, sleek, cut through the waves, water proof, but we in our canoes can carry the big bulky items like camp tables, real folding camp chairs, lots of firewood, tons of adult refreshments to name a few.
Pat ready to paddle. We have travelled so many rivers in our past that getting our gear into the boat and strapping every thing in place so if you tip, your gear doesn't head to Davey Jones Locker is pretty easy.
After an hour of paddling through some open water, we come to our first island on the way to our campsite.
Ya don't get this amount of greenery with out a lot of rain. We will have a mixture of weather some sun, some rain. Looking for a good tent spot.
Brand new MSR tent. We will have 3 days of heavy rain and nary a drop makes it through the fly.
First full days paddle. Warm, calm, easy going.
Our party has 2 17' canoes and 2 17' single kayaks. Vancouver Island mountains are in the background with a layer of sea mist at their feet.
Area is popular with yachties because it is fairly protected waters and they can hang out for weeks leading the life of leisure.
Lunch stop at one of the designated CG. This is an American from Washington State who is just there for a few days. As this is a NP, you can only camp in certain places and we must pack out our garbage. There are however, compost toilets.
One of the gang waiting for a fairly large sailing boat to make passage through the narrow and shallow passageways. Hundreds of little islands in this group. Where we are now is very protected but there are places on the outer edges that have large swells and some chop if there is any kind of winds.
Back at the ranch ready for happy hour. This paddling is even easier than RVing. Unfortunately, the sun does not shine like this every day.
One major difference between lake/river paddleing and ocean paddling is that there are 2 tides every day when on the "chuck" so your boats have to be dragged up on the driftwood logs high enough each day that no water or waves will float them away at night.
One of the guys has brought his Dutch Oven which he uses as, yes, a baking oven. Digs a hole in the sand, places briquets in hole, gets them glowing red, then places the Dutch Oven on top and then places 4 or 5 more briquets on the lid.
Mmmmm!Mmmmmm! The "piece de resistance", carrot cake with cream cheese icing topped with M+M's. Now thats worth camping for.
Next morning pancakes 20 high with real Canadian maple syrup. This paddlin every day sure can get a guy craving that comfort food.
This place is so popular with out of country tourists, Parks Canada can get over $300/night for these high class condos by the beach. HaHaHa.
One of Our constant friends, the banana slug.
A short portage over an island when the tide is out.
A little bit of wind and drizzle are our companion during these next couple of days. Gerry in his easy to paddle ocean going kayak.
Morning started with the typical coastal rain storm so we hustled our breakfast tables under a big cedar. Chinese water torture, with the constant drip, drip, drip. Finally had to set up the tarp.
It is Pat's turn to cook which tonight during happy hour, is curry with nan bread. Buckets of it.
Every night is a big fire fueled by all of the driftwood we scavenge on our trips around the islands. Talk continues into the night fuelled by some good single malt scotch.
Drizzle and winds forcasted for today so the spray deck gets fastened to the canoe.
Tarp is up and just like crabs, we all scuddle underneath to keep some what dry in the pouring rain.
Weather improves a bit as we explore more of the island chain on this our 5th day of paddling.
Meal is being prepared as the evening fire is stoked by Laurie.
Last morning on the Broken Islands Group. Break camp and carry all of our gear down near the low water mark, tide is out of course and get set to load up the water craft. Freighter will come into port sometime around 3:00.
The Hellman canoe, fully loaded ready to head out. This is the way we set up for our long northern Canada wilderness trips.
We decide to try and paddle through some small passages on our way back hopeing that the tide will be high enough to get us through with out portaging.
An old sailboat in need of TLC beside the Sechart Lodge.
On the dock, waiting for the freighter to arrive.
Back in Port Alberni late, all of the restaurants are closed except for the Bavarian Inn serving hearty German food. Ya think we haven't seen food for the last week by the way we lick up the heavy, artery clogging morsals served on gigantic platers washed down with I have no idea how many bottles of red wine. Nothing like a paddling/camping trip to get the stomach rumbling.
Dave
