Category: 2013 Beartooths/Canadian Rockies

Going Home & The Farm Near Beach, North Dakota (8-2-13 thru 8-4-13)

Lupe and SPHP were on the road before 6:00 AM on 8-2-13, Day 24 of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies.  It had rained steadily during the night.  It wasn’t raining now, but the low mountains of southern British Columbia were shrouded in fog.  Just S of Roosville, Lupe crossed the border back into the USA.  She really was on her way home now.

It was a long drive clear across northern Montana.  At first, it was scenic and damp.  There were mountains and intermittent rain.  Lupe headed SE to Whitefish on Hwy 93, and then cut across on Hwy 40 to Columbia Falls.  Hwy 2 took Lupe through the mountains around the S end of Glacier National Park.

The mountains disappeared in the rear view mirror first.  For a while, E of Glacier National Park, the rain did not.  In fact, Lupe went through two cloudbursts.  When it wasn’t raining hard where the G6 was, downpours could be seen scattered here and there in various directions.

An hour E of Shelby, the G6 finally got ahead of the rain.  Low gray clouds still stretched out to the horizon in every direction.  SPHP stopped the G6 twice to get out and stretch.  Lupe and SPHP took walks in the little towns of Chester and Chinook.

Neither Lupe nor SPHP had ever been in central or eastern parts of northern Montana before.  To SPHP, it was rather disappointing.  There were no mountains.  There wasn’t even anything noteworthy on the horizon most of the way.  The Bear Paw mountains could be seen in the distance S of Havre, and there were some ridges SE of Saco, but otherwise the land was gently rolling and featureless.

Lupe certainly wasn’t disappointed in northern Montana, though.  She was having a field day!  Cows were everywhere!  The dingy Dingo leapt wildly from window to window trying to bark at all of them at once.  It was exhausting, but clearly exhilarating, work.  Outside the G6 was a placid, pastoral scene.  Inside it was deafening almost non-stop action.  At least the American Dingo had to stop for water, and to catch her breath now and then.

It was evening by the time Lupe and SPHP paid a short visit to the Fort Peck dam on the Missouri River SE of Glasgow.  Fort Peck Lake was vast and stretched to the horizon.  It seemed lonely and remote.  No doubt it would have been fun to explore the huge lake by boat.  More fun than seeing it from the land, as Lupe soon found out.

Lupe near Fort Peck Lake. This view is of a smaller lake below the dam.
Lupe near Fort Peck Lake. This view is of a smaller lake below the dam.
Lupe with a view from the dam of Fort Peck Lake on the Missouri River in NE Montana.
Lupe with a view from the dam of Fort Peck Lake on the Missouri River in NE Montana.  The lake was huge!  It stretched far away to the horizon and beyond.
Buildings along the Fort Peck Dam. SPHP presumes they were somehow related to power generation.
Buildings along the Fort Peck Dam. SPHP presumes they were somehow related to power generation.
Lupe near Fort Peck dam shortly before the cactus incident.

While sniffing around in the weeds near a viewpoint, Lupe’s left rear paw stepped on a cactus.  She whirled around to bite whatever was biting her.  She got the piece of cactus off her paw, but was rewarded with a cactus spine stuck in the roof of her mouth.  SPHP had to use tweezers to remove it.  All evening, the poor Carolina Dog tried to lick her own mouth to sooth the sore spot.

Still in Montana, Lupe and SPHP called it a day in Wolf Point.  Before turning in, SPHP bought a milkshake at the local McDonald’s to help cool and provide some relief to Lupe’s sore mouth.  Lupe proved quite willing to take this medicine.  The milkshake was highly effective.  Lupe’s sore mouth was cured.

The next morning, Lupe and SPHP started out shortly after sunrise again.  Lupe was still going E across northern Montana on Hwy 2, but now she wasn’t far from North Dakota.  North Dakota was about to join the American Dingo nation, and become the 9th Lupe state!

While in North Dakota, SPHP planned to take Lupe on a little tour of Williston.  SPHP wanted to see what Williston looked like.  The once sleepy, very remote town had been transformed by the Bakken shale oil and gas boom, which was in full swing.  Lupe might also get a chance to visit her great Uncle Andy and Aunt Connie, meet King III, their old yellow lab, and see their farm near Beach, ND.

Before Lupe reached North Dakota, SPHP started seeing new housing subdivisions in tiny, formerly dying towns in NE Montana.  The first new subdivision was in Poplar.  There was a bigger one in Culbertson.  Lupe started seeing a few oil wells.  There were stacks of big blue pipes N of Hwy 2.  Then a big blue pipeline appeared, not yet buried.  Overall though, the effects of the oil and gas boom didn’t really look all that great, until Lupe crossed the border into North Dakota.

The first stoplight was 7 miles W of Williston.  From then on, there was heavy traffic, especially truck traffic.  Even though it was Saturday morning, Williston was a swarming hive of activity.  Everything on the W and N sides of town looked brand new.

There were rows of metal buildings housing energy related companies, both famous and unfamiliar.  Stacks of materials and lots of machinery were kept in adjacent fenced yards.  New houses, new apartments, new restaurants, new businesses, new roads, new everything was all over the place.  Williston was a genuine boom town.

Lupe and SPHP went and found a park in the old part of Williston.  There were big old trees here, and a lot less going on.  Lupe struck it rich, and found a squirrel in the very first tree she checked.  She made such a ruckus about it, SPHP decided it might be best to move on.  SPHP called Lupe’s great Aunt Connie in Beach.  Right away, Connie invited Lupe and SPHP to come on down to Beach for a visit.

So before Lupe got in trouble for disturbing what little peace there was in Williston, she and SPHP headed S for Beach, ND, a tiny town along I-94 barely across the border from Montana.

Connie and Andy had an old yellow lab named King.  Technically King was King III, the third in a line of yellow labs that Connie and Andy had.  When Connie opened the door at their house in Beach, King III was right there.  King III could hardly believe his eyes!  Here was a cute little Dingo wanting to come in for a visit!  King III loved the idea.  He wanted to play!  Lupe growled.  King III was mighty big!

SPHP was interested in seeing Connie and Andy’s farm, but didn’t even have to ask for a tour.  After visiting with Connie and Andy for a short while, they asked if Lupe and SPHP would like to see it.  Of course!  So everyone piled into Connie and Andy’s car, both dogs included, with SPHP between them to keep the peace.  The farm was 16 miles S of town.  Lupe and SPHP got the grand tour.

The G6 at Connie and Andy's house in Beach, ND.
The G6 at Connie and Andy’s house in Beach, ND.
Lupe’s great uncle Andy, great aunt Connie, and King III out at the farm.

Andy & Connie at the farm near Beach, ND 8-3-15

The farm S of Beach, ND. Wow, after crossing central and eastern Montana, that hill in the distance is a veritable mountain! Crops are looking good, too. Wheat and lentils.
The farm S of Beach, ND. Wow, after crossing central and eastern Montana, that hill in the distance is a veritable mountain! Crops are looking good, too. Wheat and lentils.

Connie & Andy's farm S of Beach, ND 8-3-15

Lupe enjoyed the tour of the farm. She and King III got to get out and sniff around, and run after the car for exercise. King III was an old farm dog, but it was all a new and interesting experience for Lupe.
Lupe enjoyed the tour of the farm. She and King III got to get out and sniff around, and run after the car for exercise. King III was an old farm dog, but it was all a new and interesting experience for Lupe.

Connie, Andy and SPHP spent so much time visiting, that Lupe and SPHP got invited to spend the night in Beach.  The next morning, Lupe, King III, Connie and SPHP all took a walk to the edge of town.  After breakfast, it was time for Lupe to finish her trip home.  It was now 8-4-15, Day 26 of Lupe’s great Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies, and time to get back to the Black Hills.

Of course, SPHP dawdled along taking roads never seen before, instead of just taking the most direct route home.  Lupe’s vacation continued all day.  Lupe went back into eastern Montana.  She went through Baker and Ekalaka.  She passed Medicine Rocks State Park.

A forested section of hills in the Custer National Forest looked very similar to Lupe’s Black Hills back home.  S of the Custer National Forest was a rather impressive long high ridge, topped with rock, which stretched far off to the SE.  The Little Missouri River valley was beautiful.  Cows and horses kept Lupe busy.  She took up the sport of barking at hay bales, too, just for good measure.

The 73rd annual Sturgis Motorcycle Classic (Sturgis Rally), a week long event that brings huge numbers of motorcycle enthusiasts to the little town of Sturgis, SD on the NE edge of the Black Hills every year, was just beginning.  Before Lupe even left Montana and entered Wyoming, there were bikers on motorcycles pouring in from all over.

Lupe dropped by the KOA campground just E of Devil’s Tower National Monument.  A couple of motorcyclists had the same idea.

SPHP had planned on getting Lupe a little blue ice cream at the store E of Devil's Tower National Monument. All the parking lots at the KOA campground were totally jammed with motorcycle enthusiasts here for the annual Sturgis Rally, held the 1st full week of August each year. SPHP decided Lupe would have to wait for ice cream.
SPHP had planned on getting Lupe a little blue ice cream at the store E of Devil’s Tower National Monument. All the parking lots at the KOA campground were totally jammed with motorcycle enthusiasts here for the annual Sturgis Rally, held the 1st full week of August each year. SPHP decided Lupe would have to wait for ice cream.

Actually, the place was packed.  There were hundreds of motorcycles.  Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and having a great time.  There was a big party going on.  The store was doing a brisk business.  Lupe got lots of compliments from the friendly bikers.  She was loving it and basking in glory.

Lupe at Devil's Tower, WY. She is looking pretty happy about it. She was basking in the glory of a lot of compliments from the friendly bikers.
Lupe at Devil’s Tower, WY. She is looking pretty happy about it. She was basking in the glory of a lot of compliments from the friendly bikers.

It has been a tradition with SPHP to buy blue ice cream at the store just E of the monument on each visit to Devil’s Tower.  SPHP had intended to get Lupe some.  This time, though, it looked like it was going to take a long time to get waited on.  It was too hot out to make Lupe wait in the G6 that long.

So Lupe didn’t get any blue ice cream at Devil’s Tower (5,112 ft.).  Lupe and SPHP headed S for Sundance, WY.  There were 6 bikers riding 2 abreast ahead of the G6.  They were taking their time enjoying the scenery while winding through forested hills W of the Black Hills of Wyoming, also called the Bear Lodge Mountains.  Before long there were 50 or 100 motorcycles following the G6.  It was fun!  It was like Lupe was leading a grand motorcycle parade!

Lupe and SPHP left the motorcycle parade at Sundance.  SPHP stopped at the grocery store there.  Since Lupe hadn’t gotten any ice cream at Devil’s Tower, SPHP was going to make it up to her.  SPHP came out with a box of 6 Eskimo pies.  Lupe was forced to help devour every last one of them as fast as possible, since they were soon melting fast.  She was completely up to the task.  She would have been willing to do more, if only the need had arisen.

Instead of heading home on I-90, SPHP took Lupe S on Hwy 585 from Sundance.  Lupe saw Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.) mountain.  She was soon back in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  In the Black Hills, Lupe went on the final exploration of her entire 2013 Dingo Vacation.  From Black Fox campground, she headed up the Rhoades Fork of Rapid Creek following USFS Road No. 233 for more than a mile.

Of course, she drank from the cool, clear stream!  Of course, she posed for the final pictures of her 2013 Dingo Vacation!

Lupe gets a drink in Rhoad's Fork of Rapid Creek upstream of Black Fox CG.
Lupe gets a drink in Rhoad’s Fork of Rapid Creek upstream of Black Fox CG.

A little more than an hour after returning to the G6, Lupe was home.  Her 26 day summer of 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies was finally over.  It seemed like a long time since Day 1, when she went to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness and spent the night on Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.).  It had been a wonderful trip, but it was still good to be home!

Lupe's final photo of her 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and the Canadian Rockies. Here she is back in the Black Hills of South Dakota about a mile upstream of Black Fox campground.
Lupe’s final photo of her 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and the Canadian Rockies. Here she is on 8-4-13 back in the Black Hills of South Dakota about 1.5 miles upstream of Black Fox campground.

Links:

Next Dingo Vacation                    Prior Adventure

This Dingo Vacation                              Prior Dingo Vacation

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2013 Beartooths & Canadian Rockies Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Peyto Lake & Bow Summit, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (8-1-13)

5:30 AM.  Daylight already.  Lupe was wide awake.  Soon SPHP was, too.  It was August 1, 2013, Day 23 of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths & Canada.  This was to be Lupe’s last full day in Canada.  Yesterday she had already started heading S from the Mount Robson area to begin the trip back home.  Before leaving Canada, Lupe and SPHP still had a few places to go and things to see.  It was good to be up early!

Shortly after 6:00 AM, SPHP was parking the G6 at the Peyto Lake parking lot near Bow Pass on the Icefields Parkway Highway No. 93.  Although the Peyto Lake observation deck at the end of a short paved path is a very popular tourist destination, no one else was around this early in the day.  The G6 was the only vehicle in the parking lot.  It wouldn’t stay that way for very long.  Lupe and SPHP took the short path to see Peyto Lake.

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park from the observation deck at Bow Pass.
Peyto Lake in Banff National Park from the observation deck at Bow Pass.  Mountains along the Mistaya River valley stretch out as far as the eye can see.  Peyto Lake is named after Ebenezer “Wild Bill” Peyto, a legendary early hunter, trapper, prospector, guide & outfitter in the Canadian Rockies.  Photo looks NW.

There used to be a lookout tower at Bow Summit.  After admiring the view of Peyto Lake and the Mistaya River valley from the observation deck, Lupe and SPHP went in search of the old fire lookout service road.  SPHP had brought along the following note summarizing instructions on how to get to Bow Summit from research done online:

“From the Peyto Lake overlook, take the right hand of two paved trails leading uphill.  After 100 meters, there will be a 3 way junction at an interpretive sign.  Continue on the middle branch angling uphill to the left of the sign (this is part of the upper nature trail).  In a few minutes, the paved nature trail will continue on to the right, but continue straight on the old fire lookout service road.”

Soon Lupe was trotting happily on up the road to the old fire lookout.  It was a gorgeous morning with views to match.  After gaining 760 feet of elevation, Lupe and SPHP reached the end of the road at Bow Summit.  There were wonderful views to the N back toward the Mistaya River valley and Waterfowl Lakes.  The best views to the S toward Bow Lake and beyond were a little farther on.

Looking SE from Bow Summit toward Bow Lake.
Looking SE from Bow Summit toward Bow Lake.  From L to R:  Mount Andromache (9,829 ft.), Mount Hector (11,135 ft.), Bow Peak (9,318 ft.), and Crowfoot Mountain (10,023 ft.).

L to R: Mount Hector, Bow Peak, Crowfoot Mountain as seen from Bow Summit.

Mountains along the Mistaya River valley, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada from Bow Summit.
Mountains along the Mistaya River valley, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada from Bow Summit.
Looking NNW from Bow Summit at mountains along the Mistaya River valley.
Looking NNW from Bow Summit at mountains along the Mistaya River valley.

The views at Bow Summit were wonderful, amazing and incredible.  It was hard not to feel sad that Lupe had to leave Canada.  The views weren’t the only thing that were amazing and incredible, though.  Amazing and incredible swarms of not-so-wonderful mosquitoes started plaguing Lupe and SPHP within just a minute or two of arriving at Bow Summit.

Although Lupe doesn’t like strong winds, a good stiff breeze would have been welcome.  As it was, Lupe and SPHP tired very quickly of serving as local blood banks.  The mosquitoes had been only a minor annoyance while moving on the way up, but they were intolerable staying put in any one place.  Definitely time to be moving on.  Two hours after leaving the G6, Lupe and SPHP were back at the now bustling Peyto Lake parking lot.

After Bow Summit, Lupe went on one more outing in the Canadian Rockies.  Near the high point on Hwy 93 heading W toward Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, there was a trailhead for Boom Lake.  The trail was only 5.1 km to Boom Lake, which was perfect for the limited time Lupe had to spend.

At the trailhead parking lot, Lupe met a skinny 7 month old black lab puppy named Geeko.  Lupe and Geeko played with each other in the parking lot, and each time they met along the trail.

SPHP met a Canadian biologist from Winnipeg along the way.  When SPHP learned the biologist had hiked more than 2,000 km of trails in the Canadian Rockies, SPHP asked for recommendations on day hikes.  The biologist recommended a trail quite near by, which goes to the Stanley Glacier.  Lupe didn’t have time to check it out this trip, but SPHP hopes some day she will.

By the time Lupe and SPHP reached Boom Lake, it was raining and foggy.  It looked like a beautiful spot, but Lupe would have to return under better conditions to explore further and get some photos worthy of the area.  Lupe had fun, but she was a rather soggy doggie by the time she completed the trek back to the G6.

Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a wonderful drive through scenic Kootenay National Park, but made no more stops until reaching Radium Hot Springs.  Lupe had to wait in the G6 at Radium Hot Springs, while SPHP went in to get cleaned up and bask in the warm mineral waters.

After so many days exploring the Canadian Rockies, Lupe was fine with spending a little time chillin' in the G6 while it rained outside and SPHP went to the Radium Hot Springs.
After so many days exploring the Canadian Rockies, Lupe was fine with spending a little time chillin’ in the G6 while it rained outside and SPHP went to the Radium Hot Springs.

SPHP returned from the Radium Hot Springs clean and refreshed.  Cleanliness always boosts SPHP’s spirits, especially while traveling.  It was time to get serious about making some progress getting home!  Lupe was in for a good time – after all, the cows and horses in Montana alone were going to provide at least 500 miles of frenzied Dingo barking pleasure!

Links:

Peyto Lake & Lupe’s Search for the Peyto Glacier (7-26-13)

Bow Lake & The Trail to Bow Glacier Falls (7-25-13)

Book Review: Ain’t it Hell, Bill Peyto’s Mountain Journal

Next Adventure                     Prior Adventure

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2013 Beartooths & Canadian Rockies Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Wilcox Pass Trail, Jasper National Park, Canada (7-31-13)

Early on the morning of 7-31-13, the day after Lupe’s explorations up the glorious Berg Lake Trail to see Mt. Robson and Berg Lake, Lupe and SPHP headed S in the G6 back towards Jasper.  It was the 23rd Day of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation, and time to start the long drive back home.  There wasn’t any huge rush though – there was still time for a few more great Dingo adventures along the way!

From Jasper, Lupe and SPHP continued S along the beautiful Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.  SPHP stopped the G6 at a pullout a few km before reaching the Icefields Centre across from the Athabasca Glacier.  The pullout provided an excellent spot to admire the upper Sunwapta River Valley, and a portion of the Columbia Icefield beyond.  At this point, the Sunwapta River is just a braided stream bearing little resemblance to the mighty river it becomes further N by the time it roars over Sunwapta Falls.

The Sunwapta River Valley & the Columbia Icefield from the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.
The Sunwapta River Valley & the Columbia Icefield from the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.
Lupe wasn't concentrating much on the view from the pullout along the highway. Instead she seemed plenty happy just hiding out in the lush foliage near the road.
Lupe wasn’t concentrating much on the view from the pullout along the highway. Instead she seemed plenty happy just hiding out in the lush foliage near the road.

While still in the area of the Columbia Icefield, SPHP thought it would be a good idea for Lupe to check out the Wilcox Pass Trail before leaving Jasper National Park.  Just a few km S of the Icefields Centre across from the Athabasca Glacier is a short gravel road on the E side of the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 which goes to the Wilcox Creek Campground.  The Wilcox Pass Trailhead is located along this gravel road immediately before the road reaches the campground.

Wilcox Pass is only a 4 km hike from the trailhead, but until nearing the pass, most of the way the trail climbs pretty steeply.  It starts off winding around through a forest, but the forest thins out about the time the trail comes around a bend and reaches the first stunning views of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding mountains.

The Athabasca Glacier comes into view along the Wilcox Pass Trail.
The Athabasca Glacier comes into view along the Wilcox Pass Trail.
The Dome Glacier between Snow Dome and Mt. Kitchener from the Wilcox Pass Trail.
The Dome Glacier (C) between Snow Dome (11,483 ft.) (L) and Mt. Kitchener (11,417 ft.) (R) from the Wilcox Pass Trail.
Mt. Athabasca (L), Mt. Andromeda (C) and the Athabasca Glacier (R)from the Wilcox Pass Trail.
Mt. Athabasca (11, 453 ft.) (L), Mt. Andromeda (11,286 ft.) (C) and the Athabasca Glacier (R) from the Wilcox Pass Trail.

There were lots of people on the trail.  It was easy to understand why.  The already amazing views became better and better as the trail continued climbing above the remaining forest.  Eventually the trail reached the high point of Wilcox Pass, which proved to be at a very broad, gently sloping open area of heather dotted with small ponds and streams.

The trail continued NNW on over the pass to the E of Mount Wilcox, but the best views were clearly going to be towards the SW in the direction of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding peaks.  Lupe and SPHP left the pass heading that direction.  Lupe loved the open high ground along the way.  Pretty soon, Lupe and SPHP arrived at the edge of a ridge situated 1,400 feet above and just NE of the Icefields Center.

The views of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding snow-covered peaks from Lupe’s final perch were astonishing.  Photos barely begin to convey the sense of height, space and frozen splendor inspired by the icy panoramic sweep of the towering mountains and gleaming white glaciers that met Lupe’s gaze from that high ridge.  More of the dazzling Columbia Icefield shone brilliantly above the glaciers than Lupe and SPHP had ever seen before, yet even that was still just a tiny part of the whole.  In an instant, the Wilcox Pass Trail became Lupe and SPHP’s favorite half-day hike in the Canadian Rockies or anywhere else.

Lupe at the viewpoint SW of Wilcox Pass.
Lupe at the viewpoint SW of Wilcox Pass.
Mount Athabasca from the ridge SW of Wilcox Pass.
Mount Athabasca (11,453 ft.) from the ridge SW of Wilcox Pass.
Mount Andromeda & the Athabasca Glacier
Mount Andromeda (11,286 ft.) & the Athabasca Glacier
Lupe relaxes with Snow Dome (L) and Mt. Kitchener (R) in the background.
Lupe stays alert while relaxing with Snow Dome (11,483 ft.) (L) and Mt. Kitchener (11,417 ft.) (R) in the background.
This shot shows the Icefields Centre and Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 both 1,400 feet below the ridge.
This shot shows the Icefields Centre and Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 both 1,400 feet below the ridge.

Lupe and SPHP stayed at the edge of the ridge SW of Wilcox Pass for a long time.  It seemed like a shame to ever leave, but time waits for no Dingo, nor even any Carolina Dogs.  Fortunately Carolina Dogs are immensely practical.  Lupe was in high spirits on the return trip from the SW ridge back across the heather to the Wilcox Pass Trail, and on down to the G6.

A last look at Snow Dome (L) and Mt. Kitchener (R) on the way down the Wilcox Pass Trail.
A last look at Snow Dome (L) and Mt. Kitchener (R) from near the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.

Lupe and SPHP resumed the drive heading S over Sunwapta Pass, the border between Jasper and Banff National Parks.  The Wilcox Pass Trail had been so wonderful, SPHP had already started thinking about what else Lupe could still do this day.  So, just 5.5 miles S of the pass, SPHP turned off the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 to the Nigel Creek trailhead.  The map at the trailhead showed that it was 7 km up to Nigel Pass.  The first part of the trail was actually a continuation of the gravel road to the trailhead.  Lupe and SPHP set off for Nigel Pass.

Lupe was quite ready for another adventure, but after trudging up the road 0.5 mile or so, SPHP realized it wasn’t really going to happen.  After the 42 km round trip up to Berg Lake and Mt. Robson the previous day, and hardly a break after the climb up to Wilcox Pass, SPHP didn’t really have the steam left to continue – at least, not for a little while.  It was time to rest.  Lupe was surely puzzled when SPHP turned around and led her back to the G6.  The beautiful drive S on the Icefields Parkway resumed.

Near the Waterfowl Lakes campground, SPHP parked the G6 again.  SPHP still wanted to do something easy that Lupe would like.  After a bit to eat, Lupe and SPHP walked through the campground and took the bridge over the lovely Mistaya River.  Lupe followed the same trail she had just a few days before to Chephren and Cirque Lakes.

This trail gains very little elevation while proceeding through a dense forest.  With the campground closed for the summer for repairs to the flood-damaged water system, no one was around.  The trail was abandoned.  It was a pleasant, easy stroll through the very quiet forest.  At least, it had been quiet until an American Dingo arrived.  Lupe found lots of squirrels to bark at along the way.  Her excitement rang through the forest.  She was having a most excellent time.

This time, the junction where the trail divides to go to either Chephren or Cirque Lake was as far as Lupe and SPHP went before turning around.  Gradually twilight was coming on.  The squirrels started hitting the hay.  Slowly the darkening forest grew quiet again.  By 10:00 PM, Lupe was back snoozing peacefully in the G6.

Did she dream about the scenic wonders of Wilcox Pass, or the squirrels in the forest?  SPHP bet on the squirrels.Lupe at Wilcox Pass 7-31-13

Links:

Next Adventure                      Prior Adventure

Wilcox Pass Trail, Jasper National Park, Canada (7-29-14)

Nigel Pass & Panther Falls, Banff National Park, Canada (7-31-14)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2013 Beartooths & Canadian Rockies Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.