Well not surprisingly I am behind on my blog updates.... Summer has raced by once again, and I think this one went quicker than ever! After coming home from our Scotland trip I was back at work for a couple weeks straight. At the beginning of July Amanda and I took a few weeks off. First, we went up to our friends cabin at Loon Lake, Saskatchewan for a week of very relaxing fishing, campfires, and walks. A day after we got back, some good friends from Ontario, Mike and Krista, came out with their boys (+ one girlfriend) for a week of touring, stampeding, hiking, and catching up. We had an amazing time, and were thoroughly tuckered out after all of the good fun. Since then we have done a few hikes with the boys, including one overnighter. Here are some pictures and brief descriptions to help get caught up!
June 29-July 3, 2024 - Loon Lake, Saskatchewan:
Loon lake is in west Saskatchewan, about an hour north of Lloydinster. Our friend Gerry has cabin on the lake which has been in his family since he was a kid. He has many good memories of summers spent there, and we were hoping to help make a few more.
After stopping in Lloydminster for groceries and a quick visit with Gerry's father Charlie, we made our way to the lake. Step one once we arrived was unpacking and setting up, step two was let the good times roll. The days were filled with fishing, relaxing, hot dog lunches, more fishing, more relaxing, a few chores, and a few TV shows to end the day off. We had a great time and could not have imagined a more easygoing, fun, and laid back trip than this one. We were grateful to have been invited, and hope to go back again in the coming summers.
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| Supplies For The Week 😁 |
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| Lake Time! |
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| Jack Of Diamonds Is On Fire! 😂 |
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| Aud's Turn! |
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| Earning Our Keep |
July 4-11, 2004 - The Phillips Come To Town:
I have had the good fortune of reconnecting with one of my best friends from high school over the past few years. We had a heart-warming visit the weekend of our 30-year high school reunion a couple of years ago. Last summer Mike brought his younger son Oli out for a whirlwind visit here in Bragg Creek. Thankfully we did not scare them off, and fortunately he agreed to come back this summer with the whole family. Meeting Mike's wife Krista and their oldest son Evan was such a great experience. They filled their week to the brim with some great activities and there was very little down time. The Jossinet-McGuire Clan could not match the Phillips Clan energy and stamina, and so sat out a few of the activities. We very much enjoyed the ones we did participate in though - Kananaskis hikes (Ford Knoll, Forgetmenot Pond, Elbow River, Powderface Ridge), Banff townsite, BavTav dinner, and a couple of river sessions at the provincial park to deal with the scorching temperatures.
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| Ford Knoll Trail |
Back in about 1990 Mike asked me to come on a backpacking trip with him, his dad, and a family friend, to Jasper National Park, and Mount Robson. I was more of a city boy back then, and had never even seen the mountains, but was always up for an adventure with Mike. I didn't fully appreciate it at the time, but it was a life changing event for me. I am so thankful that Mike and his dad planted a seed that would end up growing into the lifestyle I enjoy today. Thank you so much Mike and Peter for giving me one of the greatest gifts ever!!
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| The Trip That Started Everything (circa 1990) |
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| Thirty-Four Years Later! |
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| Two Young Men Waiting Up For Two Old Men!! |
July 8, 2024 - Porcupine Ridge, Highway 40, Kananaskis:Sam and I got out for a hike on his Monday off, while the Phillips were Stampeding in the city. The original plan was to do Grizzly Col, and potentially Grizzly Ridge summit. Unfortunately when we got there we discovered the trail was closed for trail and parking lot maintenance. After some quick debate we decided to try Pocaterra Ridge from the north side - strike two, it was also closed!!! After another round of debate we set our sights on Porcupine Ridge, which we had both done on separate occasions. When I tried it the weather was unfavourable - I couldn't see more than 100 m around me, rain and snow were falling, the trail was snowy and icy, and I missed all of the views because of it. Sam had been lucky when he went the first time, and was pumped up enough about the trail and the views that he was happy to take me this time. When we arrived at the trail head were not disappointed - it was open, the weather was ideal, the views were spectacular, and we had it all to ourselves!
Ty was only home for a week this summer, so we tried to make the most of it while he was here. With time running out we managed to get out for a sunset/sunrise hike. Unfortunately Amanda and Sam could not make it, so it was only myself, Ben, and Ty. We hit the trailhead around 6:30, and found a spot on the ridge around 8:30. As is customary for these overnighters, we each brought one beer/cider to help us enjoy the sunset. We each had our own tents and had a nice sleep before getting up early to see the sunrise, and get home for a delicious bacon, waffle, and fruit breakfast. We did a similar hike at Moose Mountain last summer with the Phillips men, Sam and I did one the year before that, and they have become one of my favourite summer experiences!
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| Ty Post-River-Crossing |
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| End Of Evening Beverage |
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| Camp Spot At Sunset |
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| Moon Shot |
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| Sunrise Shot! (~5:30) |
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| Descending The Ridge, Looking Forward To Waffles!! |
August 11, 2024 - Champion Lakes, McLean Creek, Kananaskis:August 14, 2024 - Chester Lake, Spray Lakes Rd., Kananaskis:
Ben invited me out to try our hand at fishing a couple of times this summer. It was a great experience, and something we haven't done much of. We were skunked at Champion Lakes, but Ben managed to real a couple in at Chester a few days later. I think we will do a little more research next year and go with flies instead of spinners. Nevertheless it was fun, peaceful, and very relaxing!!
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| Ben At Champion Lakes |
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| Chester Lake Approach |
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| Making Our Way Around Chester Lake |
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| Catch Of The Day!! |
September 6, 2024 - Powderface Ridge, Elbow, Kananaskis:
With summer quickly approaching its end I wanted to get a few more hikes in. This particular Monday was going to have some great weather, so I headed out to attempt Swany's Ridge for the first time. Unfortunately I did not do my research and found out that the trailhead parking is about 5 km from where I thought it would be. Not having the time or desire to do an extra 10 km on gravel road I opted for Powderface. I got to the trailhead at 7:30, and was on the south end of the ridge by 8:30. The morning light was spectacular, and I really enjoyed this classic hike that I have done several times in the past.
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| Elbow River In Early Morning Light |
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| I Have Always Liked This Ascent Meadow |
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| South Powderface Ridge Selfie - Banded Peak, Cornwall, Glasgow In Background |
September 9, 2024 - Swany's Ridge, McLean Creek, Kananaskis:
I have often wondered about doing Swany's Ridge and/or Iyarhe Ipan but have been reluctant because they are on the McLean Creek side which is reserved for off-road vehicles. We have passed them many times on the Elbow side, and being that it was a late-season Monday morning I decided to finally check it out. Having been ill-prepared the Friday before (see above), I arrived at the trailhead with a bike at about 7:30. The 30-minute bike approach was a nice way to warm up. After stashing and locking the bike, I strated walking at about 8:00. It was a nice hike with nice views on the ridge, however my recommendation would be to do it only on a quiet day in the shoulder seasons, and only if there has been no precipitation for a week or two. That said, I was very content with this hike-and-bike adventure!
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| A Little Smoke Added To The Sunrise Ambiance |
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| On Swany's Ridge |
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| From The Summit Register - Proof That The Off-Roaders Have A Sense Of Humour!! 😂 |
That's pretty much how summer shaped up this year. As always, I would have liked to get a few more hikes in, but I can't complain about the ones I did manage! I will have a few more blog entries to get me fully caught up for the year (Kootenay NP backpacking, 3 Little Summits Route, and Mount Burke day hike), and hope to get those entered in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for reading dad, and for being patient while I get these posted!! 😂
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