I Took The Path Less Traveled By

Upper Rowe Lakes August 2, 2021 Waterton Lakes National Park

Family hike for the day, nothing too hard but it was sure nice to be in Waterton hiking in an area that still has trees, it wasn't terribly warm today but it was humid and I sweat a bunch today. Last time I was in the Rowe lakes area was pre Waterton fire when we summited Rowe peak and the Helicopter told us to get down!

First part of hike was in the burn

Fire Weed, looks pretty at first, but hiking through it all day and you get sick of it

Beautiful creeks views on the way up

Rowe Meadow full of fire weeds

Looking down on Rowe Meadow

The needles on this larch tree were so thick, I'll have to come up here in the fall

Throwing rocks in the lake

Looking down on Lower Rowe Lake

My brother turned 50 the next day, we made him a sign

Track of Hike

Video at Rowe Meadow

Cragging in the Gap July 28, 2021 Crownest Pass Alberta

I've only climbed with ropes a few times but this was the most I've probably done in one day. I did 4 climbs and tried a 5th but couldn't make it up. This is a neat little area we went to called the Gap, it is where the Old Man River comes out of the Dutch Creek area. I'd hiked the mountain to the west of us about a year ago, it is called Thunder Mountain. I have lots to learn about climbing, but then again I have lots to learn about lots of things.

Hiking up to the first site we climbed at

First area we climbed

There were three climbs on this corner, I was able to do all three

2nd area we climbed

This site seemed a little tougher to me, I only did one here

Track of Day

Shortened Video of one Climb

Triple Crown in One Day July 24, 2021 Waterton Lakes National Park

So a few of us (4) had planned doing this back in March when we stayed at the Cameron Lake Hut. It then ballooned to many more people. I have done each of these hikes many times but to do them in one day is quite a feat. We had wanted to do it in June but the snow pack was still to much and so we postponed it to today. We drove up early I think I was up at about 1:30am and we met at Cameron Falls at about 3:30 and we were on the trail by about 4:00am. We had a few join us on one or two hikes but it was 12 that finished all three. I had a dip in a lake between each hike and even had a change of cloths for each hike. We also had most of our food between hikes and the break to recharge was pretty good. Akamina was our first it took us about 5 hours, then Summit was next and that took about 4.5 hours and the last was Crypt which took just over 5 hours. In total we did about 60km on the day and I think I hit my first ever 10,000 Calorie day. I took about 80,000 steps as well. I figured I drank about 12 liters of fluids today, I also sweat about that much too. Busy day but fun as well, great sense of accomplishment finishing this.

4am starting group, all smiles right now!

Sun Rising going up Akamina Ridge

Looking down on Wall Lake

Sun finally shows itself through the smoke on the prairie

One of my favorite views looking down on Upper Kintla Lake

Sun shining with Wall Lake below

First Summit of Day

Beautiful calm morning on Wall Lake

Start of Summit

Heading up looking down on Cameron Lake

It was sure hot on this stretch of the hike, not much relief or shade

Summit number two for the day

Lot's of snow left on Upper Carthew Lake

Recharging at Cameron Falls Parking area

Boat ride over to Crypt, we had a few on the boat (14)

Crypt Falls, almost there

We are all pretty fatigued at this point, but almost to the lake

We made it (Crypt Lake)

Three high points done for the day, just have to hike down

Legs a little wobbly, good thing we have the cable to hold to

We were a little sore, bruised and loaded up on drugs on the way out

Still enough light to hike without headlamps

Done, the 12 who made it

Sun pretty much set, but till light enough to drive the boat

Packed in the boat on the way back

Crandell Loop Biking July 14, 2021 Waterton Lakes National Park

So I'm not much of a mountain biker, but this was my feble attempt at it. My brother in law went a few days later and did this trail much quicker. I think I walked my bike most of the way, except for the approach on the road up Red Rock Canyon. But this was a trail I had never done in Waterton which is partially why I didn't mind giving it a try. I'll have to up my game a bunch in biking before I do any more like this. It was a very hot day and a dip in Waterton Lake at the end was glorious!