Friday, December 26, 2008
Ski Into Cameron Lake
On December 21, 2008 I drove up the Cameron Lake road and Cross Country skied about 1.77 km into Cameron Lake. Just before I started my skiing another vehicle pulled in. It was 3 people going alpine ski touring. I struck up a conversation with them and asked them about hiking into the Tri-Boundary Marker. They have hiked to it before. The information that they gave me is that if you hike west of form ridge the climb is nothing more than scrambling up the rocks to an exposed ridge which can be followed to the marker. If you go east of Forum Lake it is more of a climb but it can still be done without mountaineering equipment.
Carthew Lake
On November 3, 2008 I picked up Ken and we drove to Waterton Park. It was my intent to attempt a hike up to Forum lake and even perhaps as far as the Tri-Boundary marker. But when we arrived in Waterton we found the road to Cameron Lake was closed. After considering our options we settled on hiking from Cameron Falls to Carthew Lake. Therefore, another attempt to hike to Forum Lake was unsuccessful.
Here are the statistics of the hike:
Distance hiked, note this is to Carthew Lake only, not there and back, My GPS showed 10.97 km (not accurate), Topo Map shows 7.25 km (this seems not far enough), Mapsource Map shows 9.5 km (I think this is the most accurate). The total distance would have been about 19 km.
Time to hike in 3 hr. 11 min. moving 1 hr 39 min stopped time. Total 4 hr 50 min. I estimate that it took about 3 hrs to hike out. So the total time hiking would have been 6 hrs 20 min.
Moving average, in only, 3.4 km/hr.
The GPS shows the elevation difference was 3168 ft but the map shows it as 2800 ft. The map is more accurate.
Here are the statistics of the hike:
Distance hiked, note this is to Carthew Lake only, not there and back, My GPS showed 10.97 km (not accurate), Topo Map shows 7.25 km (this seems not far enough), Mapsource Map shows 9.5 km (I think this is the most accurate). The total distance would have been about 19 km.
Time to hike in 3 hr. 11 min. moving 1 hr 39 min stopped time. Total 4 hr 50 min. I estimate that it took about 3 hrs to hike out. So the total time hiking would have been 6 hrs 20 min.
Moving average, in only, 3.4 km/hr.
The GPS shows the elevation difference was 3168 ft but the map shows it as 2800 ft. The map is more accurate.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
In The Aftermath Of Summer
Finally a moment to update my blog.
I decided to work at the Ukrainian Village for the entire summer. That included fulltime work for the months of May, June, July, and August and part time work in September and October and it precluded any epic walks. However, I have not been idol nor have I abandoned the idea of an epic walk. And I did manage to do a little walking in the Rocky Mountains and a couple of the National Parks.
At the end of June I joined my Grandson and his school class on a hike up to Crandle Lake in Waterton National Park. Later the same day I did a short solo hike on the Akamina Pass trail and attepted to hike the cutline that marks the Alberta - British Columbia boarder. About 1 kilometre south on that cutline I enountered enough snow to discourage any attept to go further. The following day my sister joined me on a hike to Forum Falls and an attempt to get to Forum Lake, which is just across the boarder into BC. We got about half of the way to Forum Lake and encountered too much snow cover to proceed. I did however get a look at Forum Ridge and I must say that a hike on that ridge to the Triboundary Marker does seem to be a bit daunting. It may take more than one attempt to even obtain that. But that is where I hope for any epic hike that I take to either end or begin depending on which end of the Rockies I decide to start on.
This past summer I obtained 1:50,000 scale topographical maps for central Alberta. This includes the maps of the Wilmore Wilderness. I located the point that I would like to be the other end of and epic hike that I were to take. It is the point where the Rocky Mountain Range leaves Alberta. As it turns out that point is the top of Intersection Mountain. At around 8000 feet it is not a high mountain by any means but still remote and promises to be an arduous hike to say the least. I will certainly need to seek some guidance before attempting that portion of the hike.
Through the course of the summer I have enjoyed a number of short morning, afternoon and evening hikes in the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreational Area, and Elk Island Park. I hiked around Tawaik Lake and to and from Oster lake in Elk Island National Park.
Early in July I was on my way to Prince George, BC but a mudslide on the Yellow Head Highway stopped my progress so I was forced to spend the day in Jasper. I took that opportunity to drive up to Mount Edith Cavel and I did the 1 hour hike to view the Angel Glacier. I then hiked a bit of the lower end of Malign Canyon and took a nice walk along Patricia or Pyramid Lake, I'm not sure which it was.
In September two of my brothers and I did a mountain hike just outside of Prince George, BC to what is called The Farm. We rented a cabin for 3 nights. We spent one day hiking the ridge and summited two of the mountain peaks. Not high peaks, the highest being 6200 ft.
My plan now is to arraing my affairs next summer so that I can do more hiking and perhaps even an Epic Hike.
I decided to work at the Ukrainian Village for the entire summer. That included fulltime work for the months of May, June, July, and August and part time work in September and October and it precluded any epic walks. However, I have not been idol nor have I abandoned the idea of an epic walk. And I did manage to do a little walking in the Rocky Mountains and a couple of the National Parks.
At the end of June I joined my Grandson and his school class on a hike up to Crandle Lake in Waterton National Park. Later the same day I did a short solo hike on the Akamina Pass trail and attepted to hike the cutline that marks the Alberta - British Columbia boarder. About 1 kilometre south on that cutline I enountered enough snow to discourage any attept to go further. The following day my sister joined me on a hike to Forum Falls and an attempt to get to Forum Lake, which is just across the boarder into BC. We got about half of the way to Forum Lake and encountered too much snow cover to proceed. I did however get a look at Forum Ridge and I must say that a hike on that ridge to the Triboundary Marker does seem to be a bit daunting. It may take more than one attempt to even obtain that. But that is where I hope for any epic hike that I take to either end or begin depending on which end of the Rockies I decide to start on.
This past summer I obtained 1:50,000 scale topographical maps for central Alberta. This includes the maps of the Wilmore Wilderness. I located the point that I would like to be the other end of and epic hike that I were to take. It is the point where the Rocky Mountain Range leaves Alberta. As it turns out that point is the top of Intersection Mountain. At around 8000 feet it is not a high mountain by any means but still remote and promises to be an arduous hike to say the least. I will certainly need to seek some guidance before attempting that portion of the hike.
Through the course of the summer I have enjoyed a number of short morning, afternoon and evening hikes in the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreational Area, and Elk Island Park. I hiked around Tawaik Lake and to and from Oster lake in Elk Island National Park.
Early in July I was on my way to Prince George, BC but a mudslide on the Yellow Head Highway stopped my progress so I was forced to spend the day in Jasper. I took that opportunity to drive up to Mount Edith Cavel and I did the 1 hour hike to view the Angel Glacier. I then hiked a bit of the lower end of Malign Canyon and took a nice walk along Patricia or Pyramid Lake, I'm not sure which it was.
In September two of my brothers and I did a mountain hike just outside of Prince George, BC to what is called The Farm. We rented a cabin for 3 nights. We spent one day hiking the ridge and summited two of the mountain peaks. Not high peaks, the highest being 6200 ft.
My plan now is to arraing my affairs next summer so that I can do more hiking and perhaps even an Epic Hike.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Walking The Rockies
While I was working at the Ukrainian Village on Friday I was rethinking this walk that I am planning. June and July may not be the best months to do such a walk. As my freind pointed out The weather in September tends to be much more stable. The other factor is that I might not have the employment commitment in September either.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Tenative Schedual
So that I can be sure to complete my walk by July 31 I have chose to start on June 12, 2008.
June 12 Start out on the Akamina Pass trail and hike on to the ridge (400 ft. vertical) the hike Forum Ridge to the Boarder marker. Then return to the Rowe Lake trail head.
June 13 Backpack the Rowe Lakes trail Tamarack Trail and Tamarack trail to Lone Lake. Camp at Lone Lake.
June 14 Hike the Lone Lake, Peck Basin Twin Lakes, Castle River Divide trails, to the Castle River . Camp anywhere.
June 15 (Sunday) Backpack 10 miles or so along Castle River toward Beaver Mines Lake. Camp anywhere.
June 16 Hike to Beaver Mines Lake. Camp Beaver Mines Lake Provincial Park.
June 17 Beaver Mines Lake to Lynx Creek. Campsite at Lynx Creek.
June 18 There seems to be a trail along Lynx Creek so hike Lynx Creek to Willonchry Ridge. A lookout tower is marked on the map but no campsite marked.
June 19 Hike to Coleman. Overnight in Coleman.
June 20 Forestry road north of Coleman to Vicary Creek. Overnight back in Coleman if possible.
June 21 Vicary Creek to Race Horse creek Camp ground.
June 22 (Sunday) Race Horse to beyond Dutch Creek. Camp back at Dutch Creek if possible. Or at the Oldman River campsite. Otherwise just camp along the road.
June 23 Hike to Livingstone Falls campsite. Long hike.
June 24 Hike to Dry Creek - Wilkinson Creek area. Camp by the road or the campsite at Salter Creek.
June 25 Hike to Highwood River. Hwy 541. Camp at Cat Creek if camping is permitted. Might be Picnic only.
June 26 Cat Creek to Mist Creek. Camp Mist Creek if camping is permitted.
June 27 Mist Creek to Little Highwood Pass.
June 28 Little Highwood pass to Lower Kananaskis Lake campsite.
June 29 (Sunday) Hike the Smith – Dorrien road. If possible camp back at the Lower Kananaskis Lake otherwise camp along the road.
June 30 Hike to Bryant Creek and camp along Bryant Creek.
July 1 Backpack Bryant Creek to Brewster Creek
July 2 Backpack Brewster Creek Trail
July 3 Backpack Brewster Creek Trail
July 4 Walk/hike highway 1 to Johnston Creek or Johnston Canyon Trail
July 5 Backpack Johnston Creek trail
July 6 (Sunday) backapack Smoky Valley
July 7 backpack Molar Creek
July 8 backpack Mosquito Creek
July 9 backpack Mosquito Creek - highway 93
July 10 Walk/hike highway 93
July 11 Walk/hike highway 93
July 12 Walk/hike highway 93 Saskatchewan Landing
July 13 Walk/hike highway 93July 14 Walk/hike highway 93
July 15 Walk/hike highway 93 to Nigel Creek trail head
July 16 backpack Nigel Pass and Four Point Creek
July 17 backpack Four Point Creek - Pobokton Creek
July 18 backpack Pobokton Creek to Maligne Pass
July 19 backpack Maligne Pass - Maligne River
July 20 (Sunday) Maligne River - Maligne Lake
July 21 backpack Maligne Lake - Curator Mountain
July 22 backpack Curator Mountain
July 23 backpack Curator Mountain - Jasper Park Lodge
July 24 Walk/hike Jasper Park Lodge highway 16 to Moberly Flats
July 25 backpack Moberly Flats - Princess Lake
July 26 backpack Princess Lake
July 27 (Sunday) backpack Princes Lake - Willmore Wilderness
I didn't like the idea of hiking Highway 93 so I have come up with an alternate route. I can hike either way. Here it is:
July 6 (Sunday) back pack Smoky Valley
July 7 back pack Pipestone River
July 8 back pack Pipestone Pass
July 9 back pack Banff Park Boundary
July 10 back pack Siffleur River
July 11 back pack to the David Thompson Highway
July12 Walk/hike David Thompson Highway to the Landslide Lake trail head
July 13 back pack Landslide Lake to Cline River
July 14 back pack Cline River
July 15 back pack Cline River Cataract Creek
July 16 back pack Cataract Pass - Nigel Pass
On March 16 and 17 I talked to Adam, my niece's husband about Waterton Park and Forum Ridge. He has done considerable hiking in Waterton Park. He described to route to take to get to the boundry marker on Forum Ridge. He also advised me that I will likely encounter snow on the Ridge in June. However the snow should not pose a larger problem as it will be hard and I can likely walk on it. He anticipates no risk of avalanche and I will not likely need skis or snow pick and crampons to do the hike.
I have recieved a few offers from family members for logistical support which is very encouraging.
June 12 Start out on the Akamina Pass trail and hike on to the ridge (400 ft. vertical) the hike Forum Ridge to the Boarder marker. Then return to the Rowe Lake trail head.
June 13 Backpack the Rowe Lakes trail Tamarack Trail and Tamarack trail to Lone Lake. Camp at Lone Lake.
June 14 Hike the Lone Lake, Peck Basin Twin Lakes, Castle River Divide trails, to the Castle River . Camp anywhere.
June 15 (Sunday) Backpack 10 miles or so along Castle River toward Beaver Mines Lake. Camp anywhere.
June 16 Hike to Beaver Mines Lake. Camp Beaver Mines Lake Provincial Park.
June 17 Beaver Mines Lake to Lynx Creek. Campsite at Lynx Creek.
June 18 There seems to be a trail along Lynx Creek so hike Lynx Creek to Willonchry Ridge. A lookout tower is marked on the map but no campsite marked.
June 19 Hike to Coleman. Overnight in Coleman.
June 20 Forestry road north of Coleman to Vicary Creek. Overnight back in Coleman if possible.
June 21 Vicary Creek to Race Horse creek Camp ground.
June 22 (Sunday) Race Horse to beyond Dutch Creek. Camp back at Dutch Creek if possible. Or at the Oldman River campsite. Otherwise just camp along the road.
June 23 Hike to Livingstone Falls campsite. Long hike.
June 24 Hike to Dry Creek - Wilkinson Creek area. Camp by the road or the campsite at Salter Creek.
June 25 Hike to Highwood River. Hwy 541. Camp at Cat Creek if camping is permitted. Might be Picnic only.
June 26 Cat Creek to Mist Creek. Camp Mist Creek if camping is permitted.
June 27 Mist Creek to Little Highwood Pass.
June 28 Little Highwood pass to Lower Kananaskis Lake campsite.
June 29 (Sunday) Hike the Smith – Dorrien road. If possible camp back at the Lower Kananaskis Lake otherwise camp along the road.
June 30 Hike to Bryant Creek and camp along Bryant Creek.
July 1 Backpack Bryant Creek to Brewster Creek
July 2 Backpack Brewster Creek Trail
July 3 Backpack Brewster Creek Trail
July 4 Walk/hike highway 1 to Johnston Creek or Johnston Canyon Trail
July 5 Backpack Johnston Creek trail
July 6 (Sunday) backapack Smoky Valley
July 7 backpack Molar Creek
July 8 backpack Mosquito Creek
July 9 backpack Mosquito Creek - highway 93
July 10 Walk/hike highway 93
July 11 Walk/hike highway 93
July 12 Walk/hike highway 93 Saskatchewan Landing
July 13 Walk/hike highway 93July 14 Walk/hike highway 93
July 15 Walk/hike highway 93 to Nigel Creek trail head
July 16 backpack Nigel Pass and Four Point Creek
July 17 backpack Four Point Creek - Pobokton Creek
July 18 backpack Pobokton Creek to Maligne Pass
July 19 backpack Maligne Pass - Maligne River
July 20 (Sunday) Maligne River - Maligne Lake
July 21 backpack Maligne Lake - Curator Mountain
July 22 backpack Curator Mountain
July 23 backpack Curator Mountain - Jasper Park Lodge
July 24 Walk/hike Jasper Park Lodge highway 16 to Moberly Flats
July 25 backpack Moberly Flats - Princess Lake
July 26 backpack Princess Lake
July 27 (Sunday) backpack Princes Lake - Willmore Wilderness
I didn't like the idea of hiking Highway 93 so I have come up with an alternate route. I can hike either way. Here it is:
July 6 (Sunday) back pack Smoky Valley
July 7 back pack Pipestone River
July 8 back pack Pipestone Pass
July 9 back pack Banff Park Boundary
July 10 back pack Siffleur River
July 11 back pack to the David Thompson Highway
July12 Walk/hike David Thompson Highway to the Landslide Lake trail head
July 13 back pack Landslide Lake to Cline River
July 14 back pack Cline River
July 15 back pack Cline River Cataract Creek
July 16 back pack Cataract Pass - Nigel Pass
On March 16 and 17 I talked to Adam, my niece's husband about Waterton Park and Forum Ridge. He has done considerable hiking in Waterton Park. He described to route to take to get to the boundry marker on Forum Ridge. He also advised me that I will likely encounter snow on the Ridge in June. However the snow should not pose a larger problem as it will be hard and I can likely walk on it. He anticipates no risk of avalanche and I will not likely need skis or snow pick and crampons to do the hike.
I have recieved a few offers from family members for logistical support which is very encouraging.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere. By: Vincent Van Gogh
I think that I can honestly say that every time I have been in the great outdoors, ie. canoeing or hiking, I have always resisted returning to the "normal" life. I often left with a resolve to return someday and stay until I am tired of it and want to go home. I may now have that chance.
Without giving a long detailed history of how I arrived at this point in my life, it is suffice to say that I am seriously contemplating walking no less than 500 miles (800 km) through the Alberta Rocky Mountains. My goal is to walk the Alberta Rockies from the Canada - USA boarder on the south to as far north as it takes to cover my 500 miles. I will walk every step of the way. I expect this will take me about 50 consecutive days of walking, hiking, and backpacking. My travels will take me through Waterton National Park, Kannanaskis Country and Peter Locheed Park, Banff National Park, and Jasper National Park. This is more than ambious for me because I am not young and not particularly fit.
Why would I do this? Well, because I can! Walking is the easiest and most pleasant of activities that I can engage in. The benefits to people from walking are not fully realized by most. Also I have people very close to to me who have had diabetes a number of years and have I have personally witnessed the effects of depression and anxiety in close friends and loved ones. My experience has been that simply walking makes me feel healthier and happier and, therefore I strongly believe simply by walking better health and wellness is possible. And so I invite all the world to join me. But of course I am realistic enough to know that this message will not reach all of the world. But I do hope that my family and friends will join me, for as short a time or as long a time as they choose. I will use my BLOG to post regular updates of my progress in the hope that many will then be able to join in with me.
If you want to make suggestions or communicate about this with me you may E-mail me at akloose_AT_gmail_DOT_com
Without giving a long detailed history of how I arrived at this point in my life, it is suffice to say that I am seriously contemplating walking no less than 500 miles (800 km) through the Alberta Rocky Mountains. My goal is to walk the Alberta Rockies from the Canada - USA boarder on the south to as far north as it takes to cover my 500 miles. I will walk every step of the way. I expect this will take me about 50 consecutive days of walking, hiking, and backpacking. My travels will take me through Waterton National Park, Kannanaskis Country and Peter Locheed Park, Banff National Park, and Jasper National Park. This is more than ambious for me because I am not young and not particularly fit.
Why would I do this? Well, because I can! Walking is the easiest and most pleasant of activities that I can engage in. The benefits to people from walking are not fully realized by most. Also I have people very close to to me who have had diabetes a number of years and have I have personally witnessed the effects of depression and anxiety in close friends and loved ones. My experience has been that simply walking makes me feel healthier and happier and, therefore I strongly believe simply by walking better health and wellness is possible. And so I invite all the world to join me. But of course I am realistic enough to know that this message will not reach all of the world. But I do hope that my family and friends will join me, for as short a time or as long a time as they choose. I will use my BLOG to post regular updates of my progress in the hope that many will then be able to join in with me.
If you want to make suggestions or communicate about this with me you may E-mail me at akloose_AT_gmail_DOT_com
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