John9L's Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 16 2021

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Nankoweap Trail

Northwest, AZ

Nankoweap Trail

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Mar 16 2021
		John9L

Backpack	41.00 Miles	11,500 AEG

Backpack	41.00 Miles	4 Days

	11,500 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Nankoweap Trail #57

Nankoweap Saddle Overlook

Saddle Mountain Trail - Kaibab

Nankoweap Butte

Nankoweap Granaries

Partners

partners

BiFrost

It’s been 7.5 years since my first visit to Nankoweap so I was due for a return. I scored the permit & after some back and forth Karl was able to join me. We had a flexible plan and would decide things as we go. Our primary goal was to explore the northern end of the Butte Fault Route with a quick summit of Nankoweap Butte. We also wanted to find Mystic Falls but decided to hold off for another time. And right before the trip we found out there was a low flow event so maintenance could be done on the Glen Canyon Dam. The low river could be interesting. Here is my day to day triplog for the adventure.

March 15 – Monday
We originally planned on car camping at the Nankoweap Trailhead but decided to change that plan because cold temps & snow were in the forecast. We stayed at the Marble Canyon Lodge and this worked well. We left around mid-afternoon and took our time driving up there. We made a quick stop at Lee’s Ferry as dusk set in. From there we headed to hotel and got situated for our trip.

March 16 – Tuesday
We left the hotel around 7am and headed for the trailhead that involves driving 27 miles of dirt down FR8910. This went very well as they recently graded the road. You can drive a car to the trailhead. The last few miles had fresh snow but it wasn’t an issue. Once we arrived at the trailhead we finalized our gear and signed the register and then headed in.

The trail starts with a healthy climb of 3+ miles as you head for the pass off Saddle Mountain. The area was blanketed in about two inches of fresh snow and this made the hiking enjoyable. About halfway up this section we encountered two backpackers on their way out. We talked about conditions and continued in. Having their footprints to follow removed any guesswork and we arrived at the saddle a few minutes later. The skies were ominous and the Grand Canyon had fresh snow in the top thousand feet or so. It was very dramatic.

From there we start the long traverse through the Supai. At roughly four miles, it’s the longest trail traverse in the Grand Canyon. We set a steady pace as we wrapped around and went further in. We passed Marion Point and then made quick work of the boulder obstacle. You have to slide past a large boulder protruding from the wall. There’s some exposure but it’s fairly easy. After that we continued in and eventually arrived at the top of the Tilted Mesa where we took a break. The hike down from the mesa is a long grind with many loose & off camber spots. We carefully went down and enjoyed the views. Once at the creek we took an extended break in the campsite we stayed at 7.5 years ago. While there two backpackers hiked up from the river and were glad to hear we were not camping there. They spent a night at the river and were camping here and then heading out the next day. We had nice conversation with them and then cruised the last 3+ miles to the river.

Once at the river we crossed the delta and headed south to find a campsite. There was one rafting party and we chatted it up with them. They said the low flow was making running the river difficult. They had to carefully choose a line and did their best to avoid running ground. They recommended continuing south to the next campsite. We did and found it vacant so we set up camp. We spent the rest of the evening setting up camp and doing camp chores and enjoying the general area. Karl set up his lights and we settled in for the evening.

March 17 – Wednesday
We started our second day off with a trip to the granaries overlooking the river. I forgot how much you have to climb to them. They are way up there but it’s worth the effort. It’s one of the best views in the Grand Canyon. While there we talked to some rafters and they offered us beer back at their camp. So Karl & I headed down and I turned into a social butterfly. We chatted it up with their group and we asked for a ride to Lava but they were only going ten miles. Lava is a lot farther. They gave us a couple of beers and we headed back to camp and packed up and started down the river.

We were headed for Kwagunt Canyon and the going is relatively slow. We tried following the use trail but it’s in poor condition so we headed to the sand bar along the river. This was better but were limited in length. I would go back & forth between the river & the trail up high. Karl stayed on the river and fought his way down canyon. With much effort we arrived at Kwagunt Canyon and filtered water from the river. Kwagunt was dry at the river and this gave us some anxiety so we got extra water. We started the hike up and the water started flowing about a half mile up canyon. It’s about three miles to a basin and we searched for a while until we found a nice campsite on the left bank. We would settle in for the night.

March 18 – Thursday
Our day three started slowly. We had breakfast and then packed up and headed north. Our plan was to cross the Butte Fault Route and summit Nankoweap Butte and then drop back into Nankoweap Creek where we would camp. We opted to follow a drainage and this worked well. There was some scrambling that took some effort but we made good time. We both really enjoyed this section. With much effort we topped out on the pass and we saw two backpackers that we stopped and chatted with for a while. They were heading to Phantom Ranch and reviewed their route with us. Karl gave them some beta from a previous trip.

After our break we dropped our overnight packs and headed for Nankoweap Butte. The going is steep but relatively straightforward as you head for the butte. Once up top Karl enjoyed a summit beer and we soaked in the views. You could see for miles in all directions. From there we returned to our packs and then headed down the north side of the pass. Being off trail in the Grand Canyon is so liberating. We chose the path of least resistance and enjoyed the hike down. At one point we left the wash to avoid a steep pour off. It looked difficult with a full backpack on. The route around went well and a few minutes later we arrived to Nankoweap Creek and found a solid campsite with shade and plenty of room for tents. We would set up camp and then enjoyed the afternoon under a Cottonwood Tree next to the creek. The relaxing afternoon was really nice. Before long evening set in and we enjoyed our final night in the Canyon.

March 19 – Friday
Our last day started fairly early as we packed up and filtered water. We were on trail around 8:30am and started the long hike out. The climb up the Tilted Mesa is a grind that wore us down. It’s very steep and the footing is loose in places. We took a break on top and then started the long traverse. The trail wraps around through the Supai and this goes on for a long time. We took our time as we made our return. We passed Marion Point and then topped out on the Saddle where we took another break. From there it’s fairly easy going as we returned to the trailhead. We would head over to Triple Alcove where we car camped & then headed back to the Phoenix the next day.

It was another memorable trip to the Grand Canyon! Our short stretch along the Butte Fault Route left us thirsting for more. We’d love to hike the full length of it. A return trip is a must! Thanks Karl for going with and thanks for driving!

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2 archives

Nov 21 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Tanner Trail to the LCR Confluence, AZ

Backpack		Nov 21 2020
		John9L

Backpack	29.25 Miles	7,645 AEG

Backpack	29.25 Miles	3 Days

	7,645 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Tanner Trail

Beamer Trail

Partners

partners

BiFrost

With my informal goal to hike all of the named trails in the Grand Canyon, Beamer was on the list. I also wanted to see the LCR Confluence before any pipe dreams of a tram become a reality. I planned this about six weeks out with my friend Maggie. Everything was dependent on relatively dry weather. We weren’t going if the LCR was brown. Luckily the weather cooperated and we worked out the details in the weeks leading up to the trip. One of our friends had to bail last minute so I invited Karl. He was excited to join us and brought along his packraft for extra fun.

We would spend three magical days in the Canyon where we spent both nights at Comanche Creek. We day hiked to the LCR Confluence on day 2 and got lucky meeting some rafters that offered to ferry us back to camp. We jumped at the chance and had the trip of a lifetime riding back! It was exhilarating and Karl followed along in his packraft and really earned his wings as his hit some aggressive water in his raft. I’ll savor this trip for a long time.

November 21 - Saturday
We left Karl’s place around 5:45am on Saturday morning and made the long drive to the south rim. We planned on buying a yearly pass at the gate but were told we couldn’t. The computers were down and we’re getting in for free. From there we drove to Lipan Point and began hiking around 10am. The Tanner Trail is a beastly trail. It starts off with 1,800ft drop over 1.3 miles. We worked our way down and dreaded the hike out two days later. Once at the bottom its relatively easy going as the trails wraps around a basin and then slightly climbs along Cardenas Butte. We arrived at the top of the Redwall and took a short break and admired the viewpoint. We could see our camp and the corridor leading to the LCR. We had a lot of hiking ahead of us.

The drop through the Redwall went well. The trail is steep but in good shape. With careful footing we got down and continued down the trail which continues a long descent towards the river. These last few miles took a toll on us. We were ready for a break when we arrived at Tanner Rapid. We hung out to the right on a sandy area just above the river. The Colorado River was cold and clear. It was going to be easy to filter. After a bit, we packed up and headed the last 1.5 miles to Comanche Creek. This section was harder than I anticipated as it wraps around a cliff band overlooking the river. With careful footing we got across and then completed the final section to Comanche Creek where we found a good campsite. We would set up camp and then settle in with dinner. We all turned in early with a big day ahead of us.

November 22 – Sunday
We started our morning with breakfast and filtering water and were on trail around 8:30am. The first two miles as you hike along the river. You then climb up roughly 400ft and begin the long traverse above the Tapeats. The going is a mix of good trail with some stretches right on the edge. You wind in and out of drainages that suck up time and energy. With a lot of effort we passed the final turn and could see the magical blue water.

We would walk up on the Confluence and could see some boaters on the other side. We got down there and chatted it up with them. After a few minutes they offered us a ride back and we jumped at the chance. We would only have another 20 minutes but we couldn't pass up the boat ride. We scrambled to take pics and explore the area. Karl inflated his packraft and played around in the LCR. After a bit the three of us crossed to the island and were picked up by the boaters and we were on our way. Karl fell in behind us.

The ride down the river was a total thrill! This was my first time in a boat like this and it was so much fun. The rapids are mild in this stretch and it was a good way to experience the Canyon from the river. We would float 5.5 miles and it took just over an hour. It was one of the funnest experiences of my life. And somehow Karl kept pace with us. He did amazing and even ran some riffles in his packraft. All of us had a great time and were sad to say goodbye to our new friends. They dropped us off a quarter mile from camp. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and then settled in for our last evening.

November 23 – Monday
We woke early and packed up and were on trail around 7:30am. The first mile and a half back to Tanner took some work as we traversed our way back. Once on Tanner we started the long ascent. We took our time as we climbed and climbed. With a lot effort we topped out above the Redwall and took a break. From there it's a few easy miles as you wrap around to the final climb. We took another break and then it was the long slow typical grind out of the Canyon. We topped out and then packed up and headed out back to Phoenix. Another wonderful trip in the books!

Culture

Campsite

Named place

Comanche Point Little Colorado River Gorge Marble Canyon

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1 archive

Oct 30 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

North Bass Trail

Northwest, AZ

North Bass Trail

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Oct 30 2020
		John9L

Backpack	33.00 Miles	8,500 AEG

Backpack	33.00 Miles	3 Days

	8,500 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

After six years, we finally returned to North Bass and completed the route. Chumley and I went here in September 2014, with a planned 3 day backpacking trip, but had to alter our trip to a day hike due to heavy rain in the forecast. We said we would return and it finally happened.

October 29 – Thursday
We left Phoenix around 10am and made the drive to the north rim. We did a short hike off the Kaibab Plateau and then headed to Swamp Point. The road is in good condition with a few rutted sections and a bit rocky by Swamp Point. You’re good with high clearance when it’s dry. We would camp a short walk from the trailhead in a nice area with outstanding views of the canyon. Also, Karl & Kathy met us at camp and would be joining us for the backpack.

October 30 – Friday
The morning started slow as we waited for the sun to rise and then packed up our gear. Once we were ready, we made the very short drive to the trailhead and started hiking. We made quick work of the first section as you drop to the Muav Saddle where we checked out the cabin. It’s in great condition and you can sleep inside if you choose. From there we continued down as the trail hooks and then switchbacks down to White’s Creek. The trail is steep and loose in spots but easy to follow.

After we arrived in White’s Creek you basically follow the creek bed down. It’s slow going as you rock hop and work your way down canyon. Some sections are heavily overgrown but you just push through the brush and follow your general heading. We eventually hit the traverse along the Supai and then made the steep and loose descent through the Redwall. You have to be very careful with your footing as you descend. With some work we got back to the White’s Creek and then took a break. After our break we continued down and found good water in the creek bed. From there we continued down as we worked our way to the narrows. The narrows start with the chock stone and a drop to the creek bottom. We took our time in the narrows & made a short side trip into Redwall Canyon. There are a few easy scrambles until a 12 foot dry waterfall. It’s doable but we decided to turn around here. From there we continued the last mile or so to Shinumo Creek where we selected the prime campsite at the confluence. We set up camp and then settled in for the evening. The hike in took a toll on us & we were glad to be done for the day.

October 31 – Saturday
We took our time as we started our day with coffee & breakfast. Our plan is to day hike to the river as a lasso loop. We would leave camp and head down Shinumo Creek. The going is relatively easy as we crossed back & forth along the creek. Most of us walked right through the water which was chilly & moving fast. Careful footing was important. We passed the bypass trail and kept heading down canyon. We then hit the old camp area where we found an old foundation and other signs of occupation from the Bass days. And just below this we checked out all the old mining relics which were really cool to see. After we had our fill we continued down creek. The going was a little more challenging because the vegetation was dense and the social trails are not as defined as up canyon. With some effort we arrived at Shinumo Falls. The falls are great but it’s hard to get a good look because the canyon is very tight. There’s no way down so we backtracked to the exit route that leads to the Colorado River.

We arrived at an amazing beach site at the bottom of the bypass trail. It was a beautiful day and we settled in to enjoy lunch and the Colorado River. We would hang out for a solid hour and we discussed our options. I wanted to go to the far beach at the bottom of South Bass but I also wanted to hike up Shinumo Creek from camp. Judging by the time, I could only do one so I decided to head to Bass Rapid. Karl & Kathy would join me while Chumley headed back to camp to hike up Shinumo Creek. The going was relatively easy as we followed a defined trail. We arrived at the far beach site and took a variety of pics. We then stopped at another beach on the way back. From there, we returned to camp and arrived there around 4:30pm. Chumley would return from the top portion of Shinumo and we all settled in for another night.

November 1 - Sunday
We had a big hike to get back to the rim so we started relatively early around 7:30am. We hiked down Shinumo Creek the half mile to the bypass trail and we were able to keep our feet dry. Once we hit the trail it was a slow grind up hill and back into White’s Creek. We took our time and took breaks as needed. Next up was the Redwall which was another grind but went well. The next couple of miles were fairly straightforward as you hike up the creek and take a short bypass when necessary. We found some water we missed on the hike in and topped off there. We continued on and arrived at the benchmark that starts the big climb back. At this point, it was everyone for themselves. The climb up was long and challenging as shade is limited and you need to watch your footing. With much effort I topped out and was physically spent. I would rehydrate and eat. The other arrived up top a few minutes later. We took our time packing up and would head to House Rock Road near Wire Pass to car camp another night and then returned to Phoenix on Monday.

Final Thoughts
This was a hell of a trip and was a lot harder than I remember from our 2014 trip. Carrying a heavy pack made a big difference. North Bass is one of the more challenging routes into the Canyon. I want to say it was harder than Nankoweap but it’s been 7 years since I’ve done that & my memory is hazy. I definitely recommend North Bass but not until you have several backpacking trips completed below the rim. The scenery and history is fantastic but it’s very hard going. Be prepared for a challenge and you’ll enjoy this hike. Also, I wish we had at least one more day down there. It would have helped to break up the hike out into two days. Thanks Chumley for driving!

Named place

Bass Rapids Shinumo Creek Shinumo Rapids

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5 archives

Oct 04 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Inner Basin via Bear Jaw, AZ

Hiking		Oct 04 2020
		John9L

Hiking	16.75 Miles	3,550 AEG

Hiking	16.75 Miles

	3,550 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Bear Jaw Trail #26

Inner Basin Trail #29

Waterline Trail #146

Partners

none

no partners

Headed up to Flag with a couple of friends for a fall colors hike by the peaks. We started from Bear Jaw and headed in and were delighted to see the hillside covered in Yellow Aspens. We continued on and connected onto the Waterline and headed left towards Inner Basin. The Waterline Trail was in peak fall colors. The yellow leaves were so vibrant and full of life. We continued around and headed up Inner Basin to the junction with Weatherford. We took an extended break there and then returned. It turned out to be a long and fun day. Afterwards, we headed into Flag and then returned to Phoenix. It was a great day!

Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Aspen are near prime

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1 archive

Sep 26 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Charleston Peak from Trail Canyon

Vegas, NV

Charleston Peak from Trail Canyon

Vegas, NV

Hiking		Sep 26 2020
		John9L

Hiking	18.65 Miles	5,522 AEG

Hiking	18.65 Miles	8 Hrs 51 Mns	2.36 mph

	5,522 ft AEG	57 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

linked

Trail Canyon Trail

South Loop Charleston Peak Trail

North Loop Trail - Charleston Peak

Partners

partners

BiFrost

Charleston Peak has been on my wish list for a long time. It shot up my list after Chumley and I drove through Vegas on our way to the Ruby Mountains in early July. It was on my mind and I decided to do this earlier in the week. I told Karl about it Thursday night and he was interested in joining me. He booked the hotel and I drove the sporty malibu. We would leave Phoenix on Friday afternoon and we stayed in a hotel in northwest Vegas. We were up early on Saturday and then on trail before 7am.

We started with Trail Canyon on the north end of the village. The trail makes a steady climb as it follows an old road. We were delighted to see the Aspens in prime color. This really added to a great hike. We climbed and climbed and eventually turned for Charleston. It was a long way as the trail wrapped around a ridge and then makes the final climb to the summit. I was gassed when we reached the top and was glad for the extended break. We would enjoy a summit beer and some food while we enjoyed the smoky views. All of southern Nevada is suffering under a cloud of smoke from the fires in California. Luckily it didn't ruin our hike.

After lunch, we continued north as we started the loop portion of the hike. We set a steady pace as the trail drops and then climbs a small way. As we headed north, we came over a ridge and saw total devastation from a fire in 2013. Thousands of trees were completely torched and all that remained was their charred skeletons. It was a bummer. We headed through and were saddened by may bristlecone pines that are gone. This goes on for a while.

With some effort we reached our turn, that leads down to the valley, and we took a break. From here, the trail makes a solid descent as it switches it way down. We were ready to be done and cruised down. We hit the bottom and then worked our way back over to the malibu. The area was very busy on this Saturday afternoon. We would reach the car around 4pm and we agreed to pack up and head back to Phoenix. It was a long day but well worth the effort. This was a great hike!

Flora

Bristlecone Pine

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1 archive

Sep 19 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

A.B. Young Trail #100

Sedona, AZ

A.B. Young Trail #100

Sedona, AZ

Hiking		Sep 19 2020
		John9L

Hiking	6.40 Miles	2,324 AEG

Hiking	6.40 Miles

	2,324 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

	chumley	llarson02
	Lstewa9

While car camping at the Edge of the Earth a small group of us headed over to the fire tower and hiked down the AB Young. We started from a small parking area and had to hike up hill to the lookout. From there it's easy going for a bit and then the trail makes the plunge off the rim. It's a huge drop and the trail is in mostly good condition. We got to the bottom and then enjoyed the creek. I took a swim and enjoyed the frigid water. After a bit we started our climb out. We set a steady pace and headed up. We took breaks when needed and eventually topped out. Once we arrived back at the lookout we wanted to go up but it appeared closed so we headed back to the jeep and returned to camp. This was a nice hike and it was fun starting from the top.

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1 archive

Sep 05 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Grant Creek - Primitive Blue Range, AZ

Backpack		Sep 05 2020
		John9L

Backpack	14.75 Miles	2,700 AEG

Backpack	14.75 Miles	2 Days

	2,700 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Steeple Trail #73 - Blue Range

Upper Grant Creek Trail #65 - Blue Range

Paradise Trail #74 - Blue Range

Moonshine Park - Blue Range

Grant Cabin Shortcut Trail #306

Grant Creek Trail #74 - Blue Range

Foote Creek Trail #76

Partners

partners

friendofThundergod

As the holiday weekend approached, I contacted Lee to see what he was up to. He said he's going back into The Blue for an easy backpack with Katie & the dogs. He invited me & I'm glad I joined.

We would car camp on Friday night and then headed over to the trailhead and started in. Steeple was in great shape and we connected onto Grant Creek Trail which was slow & overgrown. We took our time as we descended the canyon. The sun was out and it was hot. We kept at it and worked our way over and around dead fall and we were able to follow the trail whenever it existed. We finally hit the cabin and decide to set up camp.

After camp was set up we decided to go for a day hike as dark clouds moved in. We headed for Moonshine Park as a light rain started to fall. We followed a good trail that was cleared recently. It was easy going and we enjoyed the park. We walked around the area and took a variety of pics and then the skies opened up. Thunder roared and the rain grew heavy. We started our return and put our heads down and cruised back. Once we were back at camp we climbed into our tents and waited an hour for the storm to pass. As soon as it cleared, Lee & Katie built the fire and evening set in. We dried our gear & ate dinner.

We woke on day two and took our time packing up & headed out around 9am. Our return climbed almost 2,000ft but went well. It's a respectable climb but the trail is in good condition. Once things leveled off, we took a short break and then headed the last few miles back to the trailhead. There were a handful of downed trees to climb over. Once back to the car we talked about our options and decided to get some food in Hannagan Meadows and then return to Phoenix.

This was a nice hike and I'm glad I drove out. I wish we spent another night so we could have explored more. Its a good reason to return another time.

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1 archive

Jul 18 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Mount Whitney 14,505

Sierra Nevada, CA

Mount Whitney 14,505

Sierra Nevada, CA

Hiking		Jul 18 2020
		John9L

Hiking	22.22 Miles	7,204 AEG

Hiking	22.22 Miles	11 Hrs 6 Mns	2.15 mph

	7,204 ft AEG	45 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Lone Pine Lake Trail

Partners

none

no partners

Back in early March I decided to apply for a day hiking permit and I was surprised to see I was successful. Then Covid hit and I didn't think the trip would happen. Months passed and the date got closer & I was still skeptical. Finally the week of the trip hit and I decided to go for it & I'm glad I did.

I took PTO on Friday and left Phoenix around mid-morning and took my time driving to Lone Pine. I arrived in the evening and grabbed some dinner to go and drove up to Whitney Portal. I ate dinner as night set in & then organized my gear. I'm sleeping in my jeep and I'm going with an alpine start.

After a relatively restless night I got up at 4:10am and I was on trail at 4:30am. The Mount Whitney Trail makes a steady climb right from the start. I was using my headlamp and could see about a dozen headlamps further up trail. I kept at it as light appeared on the horizon. A few minutes later I shut off my light and continued up. I set a steady pace and passed a few small groups. The sun rose and I would pass Outpost Camp and then climbed to Trail Camp. From there it was time for the 99 switchbacks which were relentless. I set a steady pace that slowed as I neared the top.

I eventually arrived at Trail Crest and took a short break. From here it's 1.9 miles and 1,000ft to the summit. This section sound easy but is tough because of the elevation. I would go a few hundred yards and take a short break. I kept at it and played hop scotch with a few group. With much effort I topped off to a relatively crowded summit at 10:30am. Once there I signed the register and took a nice break & admired the views. This is my second time on the summit but first from the Portal side.

After I had my fill I started the return. The top section was a chore but I made steady progress. There are a few short uphill spots near Trail Crest. They are very short but took their toll & felt like a huge climb. I was spent from the hike up and the elevation. I hit the 99 switchbacks and headed down. Most of them are short and easy going. I cruised down and passed Trail Camp and kept heading down. With much effort I detoured over to Lone Pine Lake and took a short break to eat.

The last few miles to the trailhead were work. My legs were spent I wanted to be done. I kept heading down and was delighted to return to the trailhead and then back to the jeep. I was finally done! It was about 3:30pm and I decided to head home. I would spend the next 8+ hours driving and I pulled into home right at midnight. It was a good trip! Mount Whitney is a beast of the hike and took a lot of effort but was worth it!

Fauna

Marmot (Yellow-Bellied) Pika (American)

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1 archive

Jul 01 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Ruby Crest Trail

Elko, NV

Ruby Crest Trail

Elko, NV

Backpack		Jul 01 2020
		John9L

Backpack	41.00 Miles	11,500 AEG

Backpack	41.00 Miles	4 Days

	11,500 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Ruby Crest to Liberty Pass

Ruby Crest to Lamoille Lake

Partners

partners

chumley

I have never heard of the Ruby Crest Trail until Chumley mentioned it in the spring of 2020. He said it’s like the Sierras without the crowds & no permits needed. We penciled it in for the summer but were reluctant to finalize anything due to the Covid-19 outbreak. I didn’t think it was going to happen until about two weeks before the trip. We decided it could be done so we went for it and I’m glad we did. We would spend five days in the Ruby Mountains and four of those days backpacking the Ruby Crest Trail. It was a memorable hike that left me thinking of a return.

We would leave mid-afternoon on Monday, June 29th. We drove eight hours to Ely, NV where got a hotel. We drove the last 3-4 hours to Lamoille Canyon and we snagged a walk up in the Thomas Canyon Campground. We spent the rest of the day hiking up the Thomas Creek Trail and another hike to Island Lake. We would enjoy a campfire that night and we got geared up for the backpacking trip.

Day 1 – July 1, 2020
We met our shuttle driver at the Roads End at 7:30am and would make the hour long drive to Harrison Pass on the south end of the range. Once there, our driver continued another three miles up the 4x4 to the trailhead. Many people walk this stretch of road. We said goodbye and started our backpacking trip. The miles are mostly easy as you follow an old road that slowly gains elevation. The views were solid as we made our way north. This section reminded me of the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico. It’s mostly rolling hills covered in tall grass and nice views. We continued on and eventually dropped into McCutcheon Creek where there are some okay campsites. We kept going and arrived at the next drainage called South Fork of Smith Creek which had a nice creek and good camping. To make a long story short, we continued another mile to Middle Fork hoping to find a campsite. There were no good options so we decided to backtrack to South Fork. We were both happy and really enjoyed this campsite.

Day 2 – July 2, 2020
The plan was to head the six miles to Overland Lake so we took our time packing up. We headed out around 9:30am and hiked by, what felt like a scene of a crime, Middle Fork and continued on. The trail made a steady climb as we passed North Fork. There was a trail heading towards the creek and it appeared to be camping down there. We kept at it and the trail kept climbing another 1,500+ ft to the mountain pass. Once there we took a short break and then took our time descending to Overland Lake. There were a few small patches of snow that were easily bypassed. We were the first to arrive at the lake and we selected the prime campsite on the peninsula. Another three groups would show up that afternoon. Also, a storm moved in around 3pm and lasted for an hour. The wind was whipping as rain fell. We hunkered down in our tents and hoped they weren’t going to rip. Luckily the storm blew over and we had a very enjoyable evening.

Day 3 – July 3, 2020
We started early as we had a big hiking day planned. We wanted to cover 13-15 miles and we knew this includes a 12 mile stretch with no water. The first few miles are mostly easy as you drop about 500ft. We hit our last water source around the 1.5 mile mark and we topped off our water and continued on. The trail makes a solid climb and then goes up & down several passes that ranged from 500 to 800 ft climbs. We made steady progress and enjoyed the views. The last high point was Wines Peak and we took an extended break there. We walked over to the high point and ate some snacks and water. From there we dropped way down and then had one more small climb before reaching Favre Lake. This lake was very busy and that was not a surprise. We found a decent campsite and settled in for the evening. We were both wiped out after the big day.

Day 4 - July 4, 2020
We took our time on the final day. We only had six miles to exit and knew it would go quick. We would pack up and head out. The exit started with a 1,000+ ft climb over Liberty Pass. The views were excellent up there. From there it was very easy going as we descended back to Lamoille Canyon. There were a lot of day hikers on their way up and a few small snow patches to bypass. We arrived back to the car a little before noon and took our time packing up. We eventually started driving and headed for Kingman where we spent a night in a hotel. We would return to Phoenix on Sunday.

Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed our time in the Ruby Mountains. The hiking is fantastic and it wasn’t overly crowded. I prefer the Sierras but this is a great option if you don’t want to deal with permits and want to hike something different. Put this on your list if you’re looking for a challenge and want to see some new terrain in northern Nevada. Thanks Chumley for planning this one.

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1 archive

Feb 01 2020

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon Traverse

Tucson, AZ

Mount Kimball - Pima Canyon Traverse

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Feb 01 2020
		John9L

Hiking	12.29 Miles	4,387 AEG

Hiking	12.29 Miles	6 Hrs 2 Mns	2.26 mph

	4,387 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

no routes

no photosets

Linked

linked

Mount Kimball via Finger Rock

Finger Rock Trail #42

Mount Kimball via Pima Canyon Trail

Partners

partners

	chumley	Pivo
	Tough_Boots

This was a fun hike with the crew. We met Pivo and shuttled a car and started in. We made the huge climb and took a long break on the summit. From there it was the long descent and then back to the trailhead. I really enjoyed this hike. You get fairly far up there and the views are outstanding.

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1 archive

Jul 14 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Kendrick Peak Trail #22

Flagstaff, AZ

Kendrick Peak Trail #22

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 14 2019
		John9L

Hiking	9.50 Miles	2,639 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles

	2,639 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

Tough_Boots

Headed up to Flagstaff with Kyle and Lily. We started hiking with Chumley & Jaclyn but Jaclyn but she wasn't feeling well so she turned back & Chumley went with her. Kyle & I continued up & topped out and ate some lunch and enjoyed the views. Ominous clouds moved in and it a light rain started to fall as we finished eating. We put on our rain gear and started the return. The rain cooled things off and we had a nice hike back. We got back to the trailhead & headed over to NiMarcos where we met Chumley & Jaclyn & then fought our way down a congested I-17. It was a nice day in the high country.

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1 archive

Jul 02 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Clear Creek Natural Bridge

Central, WY

Clear Creek Natural Bridge

Central, WY

Hiking		Jul 02 2019
		John9L

Hiking	10.00 Miles	1,137 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles

	1,137 ft AEG

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

friendofThundergod

I met Lee the night before in Jackson Hole and we stayed in an AirBnB near Daniel with a couple of friends. It was a tiny guest cabin with an outdoor shower. I stayed in a tent. The next day the girls headed for Yellowstone and Lee, Blanco & myself headed into the northwest corner of the Winds for a nice day hike. The drive included a long dirt road in excellent condition. There were a few patches chewed up but this trailhead can be accessed by a sedan with careful driving.

We left the trailhead and headed in and crossed a bridge over the Green River a few minutes in. From there we paralleled Green River Lake. The going is fairly easy and the views are outstanding. We knew we are doing a short hike but talked about extended trips deep into these mountains. After a couple of miles the trail turns east and parallels Clear Creek. The going was mostly easy with a slight gain. We came to the junction for Slide Lake and noticed the bridge washed out a few hundred yards down canyon. We wanted to cross to hike up to the lake but had some doubts. The creek was flowing strong & it was at least waist deep. We decided to stay on our side and head for the natural bridge.

We continued northeast towards the natural bridge & had no idea what to expect. Lee saw this in a book and we decided to go for it & we were glad we did. We came upon the bridge and water was gushing underneath it. It's fascinating how water carved out the channel. We wrapped around to the far side and took a break and enjoyed the bridge. This is a great area and we took a variety of pics. Lee scrambled down and had a closer view while Blanco and I watched from the top. We would hang out for a few.

From the bridge, we started our return. We looked for a safe crossing to access Slide Lake & there were a few deep options and we didn't want to go through the hassle so we just headed back. The return went really well. We cruised back and were back to the trailhead in no time. We would load up and head back to Daniel. We're meeting back up with the girls for another night in the AirBnB. We're heading to the southern side of the Winds for a three day backpacking trip starting tomorrow.

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Jul 01 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Amphitheater Lake

Yellowstone, WY

Amphitheater Lake

Yellowstone, WY

Hiking		Jul 01 2019
		John9L

Hiking	11.00 Miles	3,094 AEG

Hiking	11.00 Miles

	3,094 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I started my second day in Wyoming in a hostel on the west side of the Tetons. I had some breakfast and checked out and started the drive to Jackson Hole. The route took me over the Teton Pass which was steep with impressive views. I continued over and arrived to a very busy parking lot. I parked and got situated and started the hike in.

The first mile is easy going as you meander through a forest. There were plenty of people out but the trail was not crowded. The trail then starts a steady climb as you work your way deeper in. You basically climb and climb up a series of long switchbacks & the views only improve as you go. I started to encounter patches of snow as I neared the top. I talked to a few people on their way down and they said there’s lot of snow up top but it’s manageable. I had micro spike but never put them on. Eventually the trail leveled off and I was in a winter wonderland. There was a lot of snow but it was mostly packed. It was not an issue with careful footing.

I headed over to Surprise Lake and then continued on to Amphitheater Lake which was stunning. The lake was about 75% snow / ice covered and the peaks around it were impressive. This lake is appropriately named. I would take my lunch here and this gave me time to soak in the views. I was in the Tetons two years ago and Chumley wanted to hike here on our last day but I didn’t have the energy after our big trip. It was nice returning to see what we missed.

After I had my fill I started my return. The going was a little slow as I carefully worked my way back down the snow. With careful footing, I made good time and hit the switchbacks. The snow quickly thinned out and I cruised down. It was a beautiful day and I was feeling good when I got back to my rental car at the trailhead. From here, I loaded up and drove over to Jenny Lake. I would catch the water taxi and would hike into Cascade Canyon. See separate triplog.

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2 archives

Jul 01 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Cascade Canyon

Yellowstone, WY

Cascade Canyon

Yellowstone, WY

Hiking		Jul 01 2019
		John9L

Hiking	7.25 Miles	1,172 AEG

Hiking	7.25 Miles

	1,172 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

After hiking to Amphitheater Lake, I headed over to Jenny Lake where I took a short break & then geared up to hike. I would catch the Jenny Lake Ferry which takes you two miles across the lake to the mount of Cascade Canyon. This was a great option and saved two miles of hiking each way. The only problem is that I got here around 4pm and the last boat returns at 7pm. I would only have three hours to adventure.

I arrived at the boat launch at Cascade Canyon and headed in. There were a lot of people in this area but I wasn’t deterred. I started hiking and made a quick stop at the impressive Hidden Falls and then headed up. The trail makes a steady climb and has nice views of Jenny Lake. I kept at it and set a good pace. Around the 1.5 mile mark I encountered people who were returning. They told me there were moose ahead and some saw a small black bear. I was on alert but never saw the bear. Soon after I encountered a male moose across the canyon. It was far away and I didn’t have a good view. I kept hiking and soon after I encountered a mama moose with baby. They were 20 feet off the trail. I was hesitant to pass but then some hikers came along and I continued. I went another mile or so and the skies turned ominous and thunder boomed in the distance. I was nearing my turnaround time so I headed back.

The return went really well. I would pass a large male moose but didn’t see the mama & baby again. The rest of the hike blurred by and I got back to the boat launch with 15 minutes to go. The ride back across was a lot of fun. I returned to my rental car and then headed for Jackson Hole where I met Lee & Blanco. We’re heading into the Wind River Range the next day.

Fauna

Marmot (Yellow-Bellied)

Named place

Hidden Falls Jenny Lake

Meteorology

Rainbow

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1 archive

Jun 30 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Alaska Basin Trail

Yellowstone, WY

Alaska Basin Trail

Yellowstone, WY

Hiking		Jun 30 2019
		John9L

Hiking	12.23 Miles	1,950 AEG

Hiking	12.23 Miles	4 Hrs 32 Mns	2.80 mph

	1,950 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Lee was heading out on his three week road trip to Banff & Wyoming and asked if I wanted to join him. I tried recruiting the others but it didn’t work out and I decided to head up solo & I’m glad I did. I bought my plane ticket less than a week before I would fly out. Ultimately, I would spend a week in Wyoming. I did a mix of solo day hiking and met up with Lee & a few other people for an outstanding backpacking trip to the Wind River Range.

I flew out of Mesa Gateway on the 6:10am flight to Idaho Falls. It was early but this gave me time to adventure after arriving. The flight went extremely well and I rented a car and stopped for groceries and then headed for Wyoming. I went to buy Bear Spray but everything is closed in Idaho Falls on Sunday! The drive to Alaska Basin took just under two hours and I started hiking around 11am Az time.

The going is very easy as you follow a well developed trail that has a slight incline. There were plenty of people out but the area was not crowded. I passed a couple of people on horseback and continued in. I kept a moderate pace and enjoyed the cool mountain air. I kept at it and started encountering snow around 4-5 miles in. The snow levels quickly increased and travel became more difficult. I was tired after the early wake up time and the flight. I went a little farther and encountered a wet crossing through swift water. I looked for a safe way across and didn’t like my options so I decided to turn around.

After turning around, I climbed up and off trail to a nice vantage point where I took a break and ate some snacks and soaked in the views. I was out here two years ago with the guys and I passed through about a mile from here. Unfortunately I couldn’t get to that point because of the snow. Regardless, I was so happy to be back in Wyoming. The air was cool and comfortable!

I eventually started my return and flew down the trail. Along the way I saw a solo female moose about 100ft off the trail. I took a few pics and continued down. I arrived back to the rental car and loaded up and headed to my hostel, which was close by, for the night. I was off to a good start. My plan is to drive around to the east side of the Tetons the next day to do some day hikes before meeting Lee.

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1 archive

Jun 15 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

West Clear Creek Trail #17 to Maiden Falls

Camp Verde, AZ

West Clear Creek Trail #17 to Maiden Falls

Camp Verde, AZ

Backpack		Jun 15 2019
		John9L

Backpack	12.00 Miles	1,800 AEG

Backpack	12.00 Miles	2 Days

	1,800 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

	chumley	JoelHazelton
	Jonnybackpack

Met up with Chumley, Joel & Jon for a fun backpack to Maiden Falls. We headed up on Friday night and car camped up top. We headed in on Saturday and noticed the canyon was covered in smoke. Thankfully it blew out later in the day. We hiked down the steep and loose trail and arrived in the canyon. From there we headed up canyon and noticed how much flood damage there was. The going was slow but we made good progress and arrived at the long swimmer soon after.

I took the bypass while the guys inflated their floaties and paddled across. The last half mile was really fun with two more short swimmers and we arrived at the main attraction. We were delighted to see that we're the only people here and we will have the falls to ourselves for the 24+ hours we'll be there. We spent the rest of the morning relaxing and setting up camp. In the early afternoon, we got our day packs loaded and headed up canyon. We were delighted to find another set of narrows 15 minutes up canyon. This narrows was just below a solid waterfall. We swam over and enjoyed this area. I explored a little further up canyon and eventually returned to camp later in the day.

Everyone eventually returned to camp and we settled in for the evening. The weather was nice and the bugs were annoying. We enjoyed a campfire and turned in. We took our time the next morning and did some swimming. We eventually packed up and slowly went down canyon. We arrived at our exit and took a long break. We didn't want to hike out until after 4pm hoping for shade. The hike out went well and had more sun than we were hoping but we all made it out. From there we drove into Camp Verde and had some dinner and then headed back to Phoenix.

This was a great trip with a fun group. We talked about a return trip to see more of the canyon above Maiden. Thanks Chumley for driving!

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1 archive

Jun 07 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Bow Glacier Falls

Alberta, AB

Bow Glacier Falls

Alberta, AB

Hiking		Jun 07 2019
		John9L

Hiking	6.24 Miles	851 AEG

Hiking	6.24 Miles	2 Hrs 25 Mns	2.88 mph

	851 ft AEG	15 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

My third full day in Banff started with 3+ inches of snow & it was still coming down when I left around 9am. I had a chill morning as I headed north to the Saskatchewan Crossing where I had lunch and waited for the weather to clear. I started my return and did a few short hikes and ended my day with this hike. The weather was clear when I started hiking around 2:15pm. Dark clouds loomed but I decided to go for it.

The first mile is easy going as you wrap around the northwest side of Bow Lake. You then arrive in a stream bed as you follow large cairns. From there you climb up a well-built staircase which leads to the upper basin that features Bow Glacier Falls. I admired the basin and headed for the falls where I arrived at its base. Bow Glacier Falls is a beautiful waterfall and the basin has a desolate beauty. I took my time and ate some snacks. After I had my fill I started my return and cruised back. I was back to the trailhead around 4:45pm and headed for the hostel.

It was a mellow but fun day. The snow and cold was a real treat, especially when I heard Phoenix was sunny & 100+.

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1 archive

Jun 06 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Johnston Canyon Trail

Alberta, AB

Johnston Canyon Trail

Alberta, AB

Hiking		Jun 06 2019
		John9L

Hiking	8.50 Miles	1,606 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles	3 Hrs 59 Mns	2.66 mph

	1,606 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

On my second day in Banff, I hiked the Johnston Canyon Trail with my friend Emilie. We met the previous day near Lake Louise and she had a few hours to kill before driving back to Vancouver. She agreed to meet and we had a nice time making the hike. Johnston Canyon is truly special as it's lined with waterfalls. We checked out the lower falls and the upper falls and continued on all the way to the Inkpots. They were nice and are worth seeing if you have an extra hour or two. We returned to the trailhead and said our goodbyes. I headed back to the Hostel and then into Yoho later in the day.

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1 archive

Jun 05 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Lake Agnes Trail - Lake Louise

Alberta, AB

Lake Agnes Trail - Lake Louise

Alberta, AB

Hiking		Jun 05 2019
		John9L

Hiking	9.50 Miles	2,000 AEG

Hiking	9.50 Miles	4 Hrs 25 Mns	2.43 mph

	2,000 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I started my day in Canmore where I spent the night in an AirBnB after flying to Calgary the day before. I headed out and arrived at Lake Louise around 8:45am and started my hike. You start off hiking along the shoreline of Lake Louise which is absolutely stunning. There were plenty of people but I wouldn’t say it was busy. Not yet anyways. I quickly located my trail and headed up. The trail is in exceptional condition and makes a steady climb. I set a moderate pace & worked my way up. Most of the views were blocked by trees so I kept at it.

I arrived at the Tea House and it looked busy so I wrapped around Lake Agnes, which was covered in ice, and stopped on the far shore. I wanted to get to the Big Beehive but noticed the upper part of the switchbacks are covered in snow & ice. I decided to give it a try and it proved to be a pain. I hit snow sooner than I anticipated and it was made things difficult. I got through the first few sections but it looked worse further up. I decided to turn around & head back for the Tea House.

From the Tea House, I made the steady climb to The Little Beehive. This was very straightforward and easy going. Some sections of trail had snow & ice but it wasn’t an issue. I arrived at the top and had spectacular views of Lake Louise and the Chateau. I took an extended break here and ate some food and took a variety of pics. I began my return and started a conversation with a girl named Emilie who was from Switzerland. We ended up hiking all the way down together and decided to get together for another hike the next morning.

This was a really nice hike and there is quite a bit to explore up there. I just wish there was less snow but it could have been worse. This area gets crowded too! There were lots of people on my hike down and the lake shore was loaded. I was glad I started early. Definitely put this area on your list if you’re in the area. It’s worth it!

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1 archive

Jun 04 2019

John9L

Guides 6
Routes 174
Photos 5,134
Triplogs 1,635

male

Joined Mar 12 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Banff & Yoho National Parks, AB

Hiking		Jun 04 2019
		John9L

Hiking	29.50 Miles	5,748 AEG

Hiking	29.50 Miles

	5,748 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Wapta Falls Trail

Partners

none

no partners

I recently spent six days in Banff & Yoho National Parks. I have three separate triplogs for my moderate hikes. I’m using this triplog as a catch all for everything else. I had an amazing time and can’t wait to return.

I originally bought my airfare back in February and I paid $244 for a direct flight to Calgary on Westjet. The car rental came in at just under $200. I spent one night at an AirBnB in Canmore for $60 and then four nights in the HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel for $115. That is a chunk of my expenses. I only ate out a few times and generally made my meals in the hostel.

Here is a day by day breakdown of my smaller hikes:

Quarry Lake near Canmore - June 4, 2019. 3 miles & 550 AEG
I flew up on Tuesday, June 4th and landed in early afternoon. I got my rental car and headed straight for Canmore where I had my AirBnB. The drive took about two hours and was easy to navigate. I got situated in my AirBnB and had time for a short hike. I found this on a top 10 hikes in Canmore and it worked. The views were nice and it was a good warmup. I grabbed Thai food afterwards and headed back to my AirBnB.

Tunnel Mountain – June 5, 2019. 2.75 miles & 850 AEG
I spent a majority of the day hiking around Lake Louise and came over here with a girl named Emilie I met near the Tea House. This is a nice hike on a well maintained trail and has some nice views of the town of Banff.

Silverton Falls – June 5, 2019. 1.5 miles & 300 AEG
I ended my evening by checking into the HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel. After getting settled I walked right out of my hostel and crossed the road to the Rockbound Trailhead. Silverton Falls branches off this trail and is a relatively quick hike with a slight gain. I took my time and hiked on up to find a magnificent waterfall. I spent a few minutes admiring and then returned to the hostel and called it a night. It doesn’t get dark until 10:15pm!

Wapta Falls – June 6, 2019. 3.25 miles & 320 AEG
I started my second full day with a hike to Johnston Canyon and then headed into Yoho National Park that afternoon. I headed straight for Wapta Falls. I did a lot of research for this hike and knew there was a quality waterfall but couldn’t remember any details. You approach from the north and the turn off the highway is unsigned. I started hiking and flew down the well maintained trail. There were some sporadic people but not a lot as this was a forested hike. In a short time I could hear the waterfall and it came into view. You approach from above and it was absolutely spectacular! Wapta is just under 100ft high and 490ft wide. It’s quite a sight! The trail climbs down to the Kicking Horse River which has an impressive view. I spent some time here and soaked it in. After a few minutes I headed back to the car and did a drive by at Emerald Lake & then Natural Bridge.

Moraine Lake - June 6, 2019. .5 miles
After spending the afternoon in Yoho, I ended my day with Moraine Lake. The drive took me longer than expected as the road is chewed up a bit. There was plenty of parking in the evening and the view of the lake and mountains are just breathtaking. I did a short walk along the shore and took my pics and headed back to the hostel. This is a must stop.

Peyto Lake – June 7, 2019. 1.25 miles & 159 AEG
My third day started off with three inches of fresh snow with more snow in the forecast. I took my time and headed out around 9am with plans to head north up the 93 Hwy. A light snow fell as I drove up and I made the quick stop at Peyto Lake. I parked and walked up to the viewpoint and found the lake covered in a blanket of fog. I hung out and waited for the fog to clear and I’m glad I did. Peyto Lake is absolutely beautiful and the snow really added to the experience.

Mistaya Canyon – June 7, 2019. 1.75 miles & 300 AEG
After Peyto, I continued north up the 93 Hwy and stopped at the Saskatchewan Crossing where I had some lunch. The weather was starting to clear so I decided to stop at this trailhead I passed on my drive up. I had no idea what to expect. Mistaya Canyon is absolutely stunning! It’s a river that cuts a channel through bedrock and drains into the Howse River a couple of miles downstream. I considered hiking to the river but decided it wasn’t the best use of my time.

Waterfowls Lake – June 7, 2019. 3 miles & 445 AEG
This was a relatively short stop on my return south. I wanted to check out a couple of lakes called Chephren Lake and Cirque Lake but ultimately turned around because of snow & mud. I would end my day with Bow Glacier Falls. See separate triplog.

Boom Lake – June 8, 2019. 7.25 miles & 1,000 AEG
On my last day in Banff, I headed into Kootenay with a French guy whom was staying in the hostel with me. This was a nice hike. The trail is in good condition but was covered in snow & mud. We made a solid pace & tried our best to keep our feet dry. We arrived at Boom Lake and the mountains rise up surrounding the lake. We enjoyed the view and ate some lunch & then returned. The hike had some sporadic people but there were a lot on our hike out.

Castle Mountain Lookout – June 8, 2019. 5.25 miles & 1,800 AEG
My last hike of the day was near the Hostel and climbed up to a viewpoint overlooking the Icelands Parkway. This was a nice hike and took some effort but you were rewarded with solid views. I headed back to Hostel and then a few of us went into the town of Banff for beers at the brewery. I am flying back to Phoenix the next day.

This was a wonderful trip! I saw a lot and met so many people. I never felt alone and hope to return someday soon.

Fauna

Spruce Grouse

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1 archive

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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