Tag: Dingo Vacations

The Little Onion, Astlais Mountain & The Big Onion, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada (8-8-18)

Part of Day 5 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!

This had to be it, didn’t it?  Two short gravel roads had led up a forested embankment on the N side of Old Babine Lake Road to opposite ends of a big level area, which certainly looked like a trailhead.  Absolutely no one around, though.  Not even one other vehicle here.  SPHP parked the G6 (11:27 AM, 68°F), and Lupe hopped out.

Lupe arrives at the Onion Mountain trailhead off Old Babine Lake Road E of Smithers, British Columbia. The Onion Mountain trail starts out as the jeep trail seen beyond her. Photo looks NE.

A jeep trail disappeared into the forest from the NE end of the parking area.  This was a trailhead, alright.  A sign warned about avalanches, a threat not particularly high on Lupe’s worry list in early August.  At each of the entrance roads were signs saying user fees were in effect, and trail passes were mandatory.  Upon closer inspection, it appeared these rules only applied to snowmobilers.

Avalanches? Nah, not in August.
One of the signs posted at both entrances to the trailhead. Upon closer inspection, the rules about fees and mandatory trail passes only pertained to snowmobilers.

This must be the place, but would be nice to confirm it before wandering off up the jeep trail.  Looper and SPHP took a stroll back down to Old Babine Lake Road.  Ah, yes!  A sign was posted up on the embankment.  Although looking for a sign on the way in, SPHP hadn’t seen it.  No doubt at all now.  Lupe was definitely at the Onion Mountain trailhead.

Although looking for a sign, SPHP had missed this one along Old Babine Lake Road.

Lupe had barely left the trailhead when a colorful billboard appeared in the forest.  Posted by the Smithers Snowmobile Association, it was all about The Big Onion Snowmobile trails.

This colorful billboard was in the forest not far from the trailhead.

The billboard only served to confirm that Loopster was on the correct route.  Her peakbagging objective for the day was to reach the summit of The Little Onion (5,220 ft.).  If that went well, maybe she could try for Astlais Mountain (6,037 ft.) and The Big Onion (5,840 ft.), too.

The road climbed steeply through the forest. Loopster had taken a trail to the top of Harvey Mountain (6,083 ft.), which was actually in Babine Mountains Provincial Park nearly a year ago.  Back then she had gained something like 2,000 feet of elevation on the Harvey Mountain trail before the forest had thinned enough to get any distant views.

Since Harvey Mountain wasn’t too many miles NW of The Little Onion, SPHP suspected Lupe once again had a long climb ahead of her before she might see much of anything other than the forest.  In fact, since The Little Onion was more than 800 feet lower than Harvey Mountain, the big worry was that the summit itself might be heavily forested.  Even if Lupe could get there, she might not see a thing.

However, Lupe had only gained a few hundred feet of elevation when the road entered an area where the forest was much more open.  She was already getting mountain views to the S and W.

Hey, look! We’re already out in the open where we can see.

The relentlessly steep march along the road combined with mid-day sun quickly made the day feel hot.  Whenever SPHP paused to catch breath, Lupe found shady spots to hide out.

Gets warm out even way up here in the Babine Mountains of British Columbia in August.

Skies were mostly clear with only a few small clouds, but off to the SE the air was hazy with the smoke of distant forest fires.  Yesterday Lupe had traveled hundreds of miles through that smoke.  SPHP had driven out of it only a little while ago this morning.

To the SE the sky was hazy with the smoke of distant forest fires.

The topo map SPHP had with showed a network of trails or routes in this region, none of which were labeled.  As Lupe progressed higher, though, it became clear that this road was definitely one of the routes shown on the map.  That was encouraging.

Lupe began coming to places where, according to the map, there were supposed to be intersections.  The intersecting routes were frequently overgrown, or faded beyond recognition.  Even when these alternate roads actually existed, the route SPHP hoped Looper could take up the Little Onion was consistently in better condition than anything else.  And that was very encouraging!

1,841 feet of elevation gain to the summit of The Little Onion from the trailhead. So far, so good! Photo looks SW.

The American Dingo had made substantial progress up the mountain when there was another encouraging development.  Many hundreds of feet higher, what looked like it must be the summit of The Little Onion came into view.  Although dense forest extended most of the way to the top, the summit appeared to be open ground.  Lupe might actually have some fabulous views from up there!

The summit of The Little Onion comes into view. Photo looks N.

Around 1300 meters (4,265 ft.) elevation, a large shut metal gate similar to one Lupe had seen at Harvey Mountain blocked the road to vehicle traffic.  Beyond this gate, the road leveled out in a thickly forested area.  This flat stretch led to a signed junction at around 1320 meters (4,331 ft.).

Lupe at the first signed junction.
Only 1.5 km left to go to The Little Onion!

Lupe went L taking the Little Onion Trail.  The trail, which was still a road, went through a beautiful forest.  The road began climbing again and gradually deteriorated.  Although the trailhead was S of The Little Onion, the trail passed well E of the summit before finally arriving at a saddle a short distance NNE.

Looking back along the beautifully forested Little Onion Trail. Photo looks SW.

Upon reaching the saddle, Lupe could see Astlais Mountain (6037 ft.) and The Big Onion (5,840 ft.) off to the N.

Lupe reaches the saddle NNE of the summit of The Little Onion. Astlais Mountain (L) and The Big Onion (Center) are in view for the first time. Photo looks N.

The Little Onion Trail was quite rocky by the time it reached the saddle.  The trail continued over the saddle going NW down the other side.  A much rougher spur road left the saddle heading SSW toward the summit of The Little Onion (5,220 ft.), which was only another 100 feet higher.  The spur ended close to the top.  Lupe finished her ascent with a short, easy stroll.

The Little Onion’s summit was an open ridge covered with grasses and small stones.  The ridge was 20 or 30 feet long, big enough to provide plenty of room to move around.  A few stunted trees grew at slightly lower levels along the flanks.  None were tall enough to interfere with the marvelous views in all directions.

Lupe reaches the top of The Little Onion. The big rock on top is actually SPHP’s pack. Photo looks SE.

After SPHP congratulated Lupe on reaching The Little Onion, it was time for a look around.  The most eye-catching view was of Hudson Bay Mountain (8,494 ft.) off to the W.

Hudson Bay Mountain (R) from The Little Onion. Photo looks W.
Hudson Bay Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.

To the SW, a line of snowy peaks looked equally rugged, but they were far away.  Notable peaks were off the NW, too, but they were even more distant.

Looking SW toward another range of rugged, snowy peaks (L) on the horizon.
These unfamiliar peaks had quite a large glacier hidden up among them. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking NW at even more distant peaks.

To the N, was a terrific view of Astlais Mountain and The Big Onion.

Looper at the absolute highest point on The Little Onion. Astlais Mountain (Center) and The Big Onion (R) in the background. Photo looks NNW.
Astlais Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNW.
The Big Onion. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Views to the S and E were pretty, but less dramatic.  Mostly big forested hills and ridges.  A SW wind was blowing, which SPHP welcomed, since mosquitoes and small flies had at times been bothersome on the way up.  Lupe could see smoke to the SE drifting many miles NE on the breeze.

A small loosely constructed cairn sat 10 or 15 feet SW of the highest ground.  The weather was ideal, 60°F and mostly sunny.  Lupe and SPHP were both glad to take a break and enjoy the views for a while.  SPHP draped a jacket over Loop, since she wasn’t a fan of the wind.

Llama Lake from The Little Onion. Photo looks SW.
Mt. McKendrick (5,7515 ft.) (Center). Photo looks ENE.
The other side of the high, barren ridge at Center overlooks Four Lakes Basin in Babine Mountains Provincial Park. Photo looks NE.
The smoky region to the SE.

More than half an hour passed by at the summit of The Little Onion.  The American Dingo’s ascent had gone surprisingly well.  The possibility of going on to The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain had always been there.  However, at first, they had looked much higher and far away.  The longer SPHP contemplated the view, though, the easier it appeared.

Glimpses of roads could be seen on the ridge leading over to The Big Onion, and the map showed a road going up to the high saddle between The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain.  Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go back down to the Little Onion Trail, and follow it NW down the other side of the nearby saddle?  That was the right direction, and according to the signs Lupe had seen, the Little Onion Trail was supposed to link up with the Big Onion Trail again.

Perfect day.  Why not?  May as well try it.  Now or never, in any case!  A last look around from The Little Onion, then Lupe headed back down the rough spur road to the Little Onion Trail.

Since we’re about to leave The Little Onion, thought we’d sneak in one more peak at this great view of Hudson Bay Mountain (R)! Photo looks W.
Last moments atop The Little Onion. Photo looks SE.
Another look at Lupe’s new objectives. Astlais Mountain (Center) and The Big Onion (R). Photo looks NNW.
Back on the Little Onion Trail at the saddle a little NNE of The Little Onion’s summit. Photo looks SE back the way Lupe originally came up.

Upon reaching the Little Onion Trail again, Lupe followed it NW.  The road lost elevation in fits and starts.  The trail divided unexpectedly, causing confusion, but merged again almost immediately.  The trail then turned N near the start of the ridge leading to The Big Onion.

Heading NW on the Little Onion Trail. Astlais Mountain on the R.

Instead of going N directly up the ridgeline, the road stayed lower along the E side of the ridge in a heavily forested area.  The trail was level, or nearly so, along in here.  Before too long, Lupe reached a junction with the Big Onion Trail.

This junction was the official end of the Little Onion Trail.  Looper kept going N, now taking the Big Onion Trail toward Alpine Meadows.

Sign at the end of the Little Onion Trail. Lupe kept going N toward Alpine Meadows.

A little farther on, the Carolina Dog reached another signed junction.  This was the critical one!  Lupe had no intention of going all the way to Alpine Meadows.  That wasn’t the way to Astlais Mountain or The Big Onion.

At this second junction, a road went W back up onto the ridge leading to The Big Onion.  The sign said this road was the Astlais Mountain Trail.  The pass below Astlais Mountain was 1.4 km away.

Great news!  That was exactly where Lupe needed to go!

Sign at the critical junction. Lupe abandoned the Big Onion Trail in favor of the Astlais Mountain Trail here.

So Lupe abandoned The Big Onion Trail, and took the Astlais Mountain Trail W up onto the ridge.  Once on the ridge, the road turned N, then subsequently deteriorated to the point where it would be impassable for any vehicle other than an ATV, or perhaps a snowmobile in winter.

The trail did go on, however, and went through a low area where Lupe came to the only water to be found all day.  A trickle of a stream formed from little seeping springs ran over the road here, just enough for the Carolina Dog to get a drink.  Beyond this point the trail gained elevation at a moderate pace, heading NNW along the SW slope of The Big Onion, but still far below the summit.

The Astlais Mountain Trail along SW slopes of The Big Onion. Photo looks NNW.
Looking back toward The Little Onion. Photo looks SSE.
Looper on the Astlais Mountain Trail. The Little Onion at Center. Photo looks SSE.
Hudson Bay Mountain from the Astlais Mountain Trail. Photo looks W.

Worries that the trail might fade away completely proved unfounded.  A much better road soon came in from somewhere off to the SW, and swung sharply around continuing toward the high saddle between The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain.

Luck of the Dingo again! This road will get us up to the pass! Photo looks NW at Astlais Mountain.

The new road promptly began climbing at an incredible pace along the very steep W slopes of The Big Onion.  Lupe had no troubles, but SPHP lost traction on any loose debris to the point where walking wherever the ground looked firmest, or in piles of loose rock thick enough to offer at least some support, became standard practice.

The mere thought of being in a vehicle going up or down this road was rather frightening to contemplate.  Being on paw and foot was certainly much better, even if the long trudge higher was exhausting.

Well, it is a mountain road, SPHP! What did you expect? Photo looks NNW.
Whew! That was sort of steep, wasn’t it? Glad that’s over with! Photo looks SSE.

It was a huge relief when the road finally began to level out.  Lupe had made it to the high pass between Astlais Mountain and The Big Onion!  Beyond the pass, she could see higher peaks to the N for the first time.  Those peaks were in Babine Mountains Provincial Park.

We’ve made it to the end of the Astlais Mountain Trail! Those mountains to the N are in Babine Mountains Provincial Park. Photo looks N.

After a rest break, the only question now was which to climb first – The Big Onion or Astlais Mountain?  Both looked like big hills, basically easy climbs from here.  The Big Onion was closer and lower.  After initially starting that way, SPHP changed the plan.

Still a lovely day, but more clouds were present than only a little while ago.  Maybe Lupe ought to take on Astlais Mountain first?  Would be nice to get the higher peak in case the weather deteriorated fast enough to prevent the American Dingo from visiting both.  Whatever!  Lupe was fine with that.

By the time Lupe was getting close to the high saddle, The Big Onion (Center) wasn’t that much higher. Photo looks SE.
Astlais Mountain looks like just a big hill from here! Photo looks WNW.
Astlais Mountain from the high saddle. Photo looks W.

So Lupe charged up the E slope of Astlais Mountain, while SPHP plodded higher.  It hadn’t looked this steep!  Nevertheless, this was just a big grassy trudge until fairly close to the top.  The terrain then began to get rockier as the slope decreased.  The huge summit region was somewhat complex with various rocky knobs and ridges among areas of tundra or bare ground consisting of small loose rock.

It wasn’t immediately clear where the summit was, but a big cairn was soon spotted well W of where Lupe had come up.

Lupe already reaching the easy terrain close to the top of Astlais Mountain.
Which way do you think, SPHP? Gotta be one of these rocky high points, but which one? Photo looks S.
Oh, I think I see it! There’s a big cairn (R) over this way! Photo looks WNW.
Lupe near the summit. Photo looks WNW.
Yes, this is it! Almost there!

The weather hadn’t deteriorated at all during the time it took Lupe to reach the big summit cairn on Astlais Mountain (6,037 ft.).  60°F with a 10 to 15 mph SW breeze, just like at The Little Onion.  A beautiful day!  Which was great news.  Lupe could stay a while!

Loop reaches the summit of Astlais Mountain. Photo looks NNW.
Loop at the summit cairn. Photo looks NW.
Hudson Bay Mountain (L) from Astlais Mountain. Photo looks W.
Another look showing more of the W end of the summit area. Hudson Bay Mountain (Center R) beyond Lupe. Photo looks WSW.
A closer look at the W portion of the greater summit area. Lupe didn’t venture all the way over there. Hudson Bay Mountain on the R. Photo looks WSW.
Here’s the last stretch of the summit region the way we came up! Photo looks ESE.

Hudson Bay Mountain (8,494 ft.) and the other rugged more distant peaks to the SW and NW were all just as beautiful and interesting as they had been from The Little Onion, but the views really weren’t much different in those directions from Astlais Mountain.

Hudson Bay Mountain from Astlais Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.
Looking NW with help from the telephoto lens.
Part of Tyhee Lake (the larger lake R of Center) near Telkwa is in view. Photo looks SW.
Rugged peaks far to the SW with help from the telephoto lens.

The Little Onion (5,220 ft.), which had seemed such an impressive high point only a short while ago, looked small and much lower from Astlais Mountain.  Lupe could see part of The Little Onion trail on the N slopes.

The Little Onion (Center) did look little from Astlais Mountain. Photo looks SSE.
The Little Onion with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.

Smoke from the forest fires to the S could be seen actually billowing up.  The wind must still have been out of the SW way over there, too.  A huge plume was drifting NE.

A huge plume of smoke billows up (Center R) and drifts off to the NE (L). Photo looks S.

Though Lupe had seen essentially these same views in most directions from The Little Onion, coming to Astlais Mountain had been worthwhile, for off to the N the scene was much different.  The American Dingo now had a tremendous view of closer peaks in Babine Mountains Provincial Park (map).

Lupe and SPHP spent a long time gazing N at the splendors on display.  SPHP knew the names of a few of the peaks.  The Galleon (7,844 ft.) was the most impressive from Astlais Mountain.  SPHP scanned the horizon for Mount Cronin (7,861 ft.), and thought Lupe had a glimpse of it, though partially hidden by Mount Hyland (7,478 ft.).

Lupe gazing across Ganokwa Basin toward the high peaks of the Babine Mountains. Photo looks N.
The Galleon (Center) was the most impressive peak Lupe saw from Astlais Mountain. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.
Another look across Ganokwa Basin. SPHP believes the high dark ridge at Center is Mount Hyland. The distant dark ridge L of Center which is only partially in view is likely part of Mount Cronin. The Galleon is at far L. Photo looks NNE.
Still looking NNE, but with help from the telephoto lens. Mount Cronin is the ridge in shadow L of Center. Mount Hyland is the dark ridge on the R.
Perhaps a clearer view. Mount Cronin’s summit may be the distant sunlit little bump at Center. Mount Hyland at far R. Ganokwa Basin in the foreground. Photo looks NNE.
Zoomed in on Mount Hyland. Photo looks NNE.
Mount Hyland on the L. The distant spire at Center is likely High Point 6470 (1972 M). Photo looks NNE.

The highest peaks weren’t the only ones of interest.  Nearly a year ago Lupe had climbed Harvey Mountain (6,083 ft.), which was off to the NNW.  It would have been fun to see Harvey Mountain again, but as it turned out, Padella Peak (6,300 ft.) was in the way.

Perhaps looking for Harvey Mountain, Lupe gazes across a deep canyon toward Padella Peak (L in foreground). Pyramid Mountain (6,234 ft.) is the lower sunlit peak just to the R of Padella. The Galleon is in the distance at Center. Photo looks N.
Padella Peak (Center) from Astlais Mountain. Pyramid Mountain in the foreground on the R. Photo looks NNW.
Padella Peak (R). Lagopus Mountain (6,956 ft.) (Center) is in view beyond Padella. Photo looks NNW.
Isn’t Astlais Mountain great? So much to see! Photo looks NE.
Lagopus Mountain (far L), Padella Peak (L), Pyramid Mountain (Center L), and The Galleon (Center). Photo looks N.

Astlais Mountain was a fantastic peak!  Such a great day, and so much to see from here!  50 glorious minutes shot by at the summit.  If Lupe still wanted to visit The Big Onion, too, which she did, it was getting to be time to bid farewell to Astlais.  A final look at the mighty Galleon, and the Carolina Dog was on her way.

The Galleon (Center) from Astlais Mountain. Photo looks N.
Sadly, it’s time to leave Astlais Mountain if we’re going to visit The Big Onion, too. Our stay here has been splendid, hasn’t it? Photo looks NNW.
Final moments at the summit of Astlais Mountain. Photo looks NNW.
Astlais Mountain’s N ridge as seen from the summit is in the foreground. Lupe would head down this way after a quick jaunt to the R (S) for a view of The Big Onion before completing her descent. Mt. McKendrick is at far R. Photo looks ENE.
Looking back at the summit of Astlais Mountain (R). Hudson Bay Mountain (Center). Photo looks W.

Upon leaving the summit cairn, Lupe headed E to a high point where she could look down on The Big Onion (5,840 ft.).  She then headed N a little way losing elevation gradually, before turning E and descending the much steeper slope to the saddle.

Looking down on the saddle leading to The Big Onion (R). Mt. McKendrick (L) in the distance. Photo looks E.
Looking back up at the summit of Astlais Mountain near the start of Lupe’s descent. Photo looks SW.
The Big Onion (R) as seen before beginning the steepest part of the descent. Photo looks SE.
Won’t be long now! Soon we’ll be at the top of The Big Onion! Photo looks SE.

Once down, Lupe crossed the saddle and headed for The Big Onion.  She followed a road part of the way, and eventually reached the ridgeline a little way N of the summit.  An easy, short trek S along the narrow ridge brought the American Dingo to the top of The Big Onion (5,840 ft.).

This is it! We’ve arrived at the true summit of The Big Onion. Quite a view of Astlais Mountain behind me, isn’t it? Photo looks WNW.

The absolute high point consisted of several medium-sized rocks amid tufts of brown grass.  The summit was a mostly grassy area atop a rocky knob which dropped off steeply, though not precipitously.

The Big Onion wasn’t high enough to give Lupe quite as grand a view of the heart of the Babine Mountains to the N as she’d had from Astlais Mountain.  However, she could see more territory to the E, and the view of Astlais Mountain itself was quite interesting.

Lupe at the true summit of The Big Onion. Hudson Bay Mountain (L) in the distance. Astlais Mountain (R). Photo looks W.
View along The Big Onion’s N ridge. The Galleon is on the L. Mount Hyland on the R. Photo looks N.
View to the NNE. Mount Hyland on the L.
Mount Hyland (Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.
Looking over the saddle between The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain toward Padella Peak (Center). Pyramid Mountain is on the R with Lagopus Mountain peeping up between Padella and Pyramid. Photo looks NW.
Looking S. The Little Onion is on the L.
The Little Onion (Center) from The Big Onion. Photo looks S.
A view of the entire saddle area between The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain (L). Padella Peak on the R. Photo looks NW.
Loop relaxing on The Big Onion summit. Photo looks WNW.
Mt. McKendrick (R). Photo looks ENE.
The Galleon (Center) from The Big Onion. Padella Peak (L) and Mount Hyland (R). Photo looks N.

Lupe relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful Babine Mountains from the top of The Big Onion for half an hour.  Her journey to Astlais Mountain and both Onions had been a huge success!  The day had gone far better than SPHP had ever dared to hope.  Evening was approaching, however.  Lupe began the trek back to the Onion Mountain trailhead.

Lupe on The Big Onion shortly before departure. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe’s route back was the same one she’d taken up.  The Carolina Dog and SPHP were both in high spirits.  The return trip went fast.  So fast, in fact, that Loop returned briefly to the summit of The Little Onion.  Even after visiting The Big Onion and Astlais Mountain, The Little Onion was still an amazing place!  And far to the S, the smoke of distant fires still billowed into the sky.

Then it was down, down, all the way back to the trailhead.  (7:26 PM)

Final moments atop The Big Onion. Photo looks S.
Hardy little tundra plants on The Big Onion’s N ridge.
Here we go again on the Astlais Mountain Trail! Thankfully we’re heading down this time. Photo looks SSE.
Forest fires still burned as evening approached. Looking S from The Little Onion.

SPHP stopped in Smithers for fuel and dinner from Safeway.  Twilight was coming on by the time Lupe arrived at a big field along Yellowhead Hwy 16 S of Moricetown.  Ancient picnic tables with white peeling paint stood on a bluff overlooking the Bulkley River.

Despite her long afternoon in the Babine Mountains, the American Dingo was still energized.  She raced around the G6 playing chase with SPHP, who was, as always, totally outmatched.  Lupe was happy, oh, so very happy!  And seeing her so, SPHP shared her joy.  What a wonderful day this had been!

Lupe on The Little Onion again, Babine Mountains, British Columbia, Canada 8-8-18

Links:

Next Adventure                  Prior Adventure

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Map

Babine Mountains Provincial Park Brochure

Harvey Mountain, Babine Mountains Provincial Park, British Columbia,  Canada (9-9-17)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Mount Jimmy Simpson, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (8-6-18)

Days 1-3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!

Lupe stood out on the flat, cracked mud of a small clearing.  Bright green shoots were poking up around the edges.  Bushes or stunted deep green conifers surrounded most of the area.  The Carolina Dog gazed up at SPHP with a puzzled expression.  A fabulous morning in the Canadian Rockies!  Everything had been going great.  What was the holdup?

Lupe wasn’t the only one puzzled.  The path simply ended here.  No sign of any trail.  SPHP had been certain there would be one.  A year ago, on the way back from Bow Glacier Falls, a hiker had told SPHP there was a side trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson (9,731 ft.) from this area.  The hiker had said the trail left the Bow Glacier Falls Trail from the forested ridge providing the first close up view of the falls.  A search of that ridge had revealed nothing.  Lupe had gone on, giving up on the idea, but SPHP had vowed she would return some day better prepared.

So here she was!  Back again, a year later.  Supposedly better prepared, but apparently not well enough.  As SPHP studied the topo map with the GPS track on it, a sickening realization sunk in.  Overly confident, SPHP hadn’t printed out enough of the surrounding territory to be able to tell exactly where Lupe was supposed to leave the Bow Glacier Falls trail.  The falls weren’t shown.

Should have paid more attention to the terrain to the W on the way up.  Most of it was out of sight now.  Heh.  It didn’t seem right.  SPHP hated to say it, much less do it.  Probably a complete waste of valuable time, but the possibility needed to be checked out.

Guess we better go back, Looper!  Don’t think we did, but we might have already missed the turn to Mount Jimmy Simpson.  Let’s go back down for a quick reconnaissance.  We can come back up and search around some more, if we don’t see anything promising below the stairs.

Made you wonder.  Was this just the first big fiasco of many more to come?  On August 4th, two days ago, Lupe had finally left home to start this grandest of all her Summer of 2018 Dingo Vacations.  Six solid weeks of epic adventures ahead!  Well, maybe.  The plan was ultimately to take the new all season road to Tuktoyaktuk.  The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was going all the way to the Arctic Ocean!  Yet, even though this Dingo Vacation had launched 4 days late, SPHP hadn’t managed to get Lupe on the road until afternoon.

Even then, SPHP had forgotten something.  Coats!  No joke.  That was the sad state of preparation for this incredible journey.  Loopster had been forced to return home so SPHP could retrieve coats.  Seemed like a detail that shouldn’t have managed to slip by on a long anticipated trip to the Arctic.  Lupe had finally hit the road for good at 2:09 PM (8-4-18, 86°F).

Since then, at least until now, things had gone well.  The G6 had purred W on I-90 through Wyoming.  By sundown on the 4th, Lupe was beyond Billings only a few miles S of Lavina, Montana.  The next morning she’d enjoyed a scenic drive up the Musselshell River valley, revisited King’s Hill (8,008 ft.) in the Little Belt Mountains, and stopped by for a drink out of Issac Walton Spring at Al Buck Memorial Park.

Oh, are you coming with? Glad to hear it! Hope you remembered your coat! We’re going all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Tuktoyaktuk or bust! Lupe at a quick stop along I-90 E of the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 8-4-18
Sundown from Hwy 3 S of Lavina, Montana 8-4-18
Porphyry Peak (8,192 ft.) from King’s Hill in the Little Belt Mountains, MT 8-5-18. Photo looks W.
King’s Hill survey benchmark.
Exploring a new off-road route down the W side of King’s Hill. Photo looks SW.
Cooling off in Issac Walton Spring at Al Buck Memorial Park along Hwy 89 N of the Little Belt Mountains, Montana.
Belt Creek across Hwy 89 from Al Buck Memorial Park. Photo looks SSW.

By mid-afternoon on the 5th, Lupe had breezed through customs into Canada.  She made it to Banff in the Canadian Rockies in time for her traditional evening Pretty Puppy Parade up and down both sides of Banff Avenue.  And as light faded from the sky, she’d strolled the path along the Bow River clear down to Bow River Falls and back.

Only 1.5 days into our Dingo Vacation, and here we are at Banff in the fabulous Canadian Rockies along the Bow River. That’s Cascade Mountain (9,836) (Center) in the background! Photo looks N.
Banff Avenue! This way to the Pretty Puppy Parade! It’s a tradition, you know. Photo looks N.
At the Louis Trono Gazebo in Banff.
Maybe there’s going to be a Mangy Moose Parade, too?
Bow River Falls near the end of the day in Banff, 8-5-18

This morning had started out well, too.  Up at dawn, Lupe and SPHP had been treated to the super scenic drive W from Banff on Hwy 1, then N along Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 all the way to breakfast at the picnic ground along the E shore of Bow Lake.  Along the N shore, the red roof of Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge had been in view.

Towering beyond both Bow Lake and the lodge was Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day – Mount Jimmy Simpson (9,731 ft.).  Oh, yeah!  The views were going to be stupendous from up there!

Mount Jimmy Simpson (Center) from the picnic ground on the E shore of Bow Lake. Photo looks NW.

The trail, or route, or whatever it was to Mount Jimmy Simpson was an off-shoot from the trail to Bow Glacier Glacier Falls, and the trail to Bow Glacier Falls started from the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.  That much was for absolute certain.  Lupe had been all the way to the falls twice before.  The trek to Bow Glacier Falls is one of the easiest, most scenic half-day hikes in the entire Canadian Rockies.

So as soon as breakfast was over, SPHP had driven over to the trailhead parking lot by the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.  (8:27 AM, 47°F)  Of course, the first thing to do, even before setting off on the trail, was to check out the view of Bow Lake, Crowfoot Mountain (10,023 ft.), and the Crowfoot Glacier from the N shore.

Along the N shore of Bow Lake. Bow Peak (9,318 ft.) (far L), Crowfoot Glacier (L) and Crowfoot Mountain (R). Photo looks SSE.

Off to the SW, where she would soon be headed, Lupe could see the toe of the Bow Glacier and the upper half of Bow Glacier Falls.

From the shore of Bow Lake close to Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Lupe already had a distant view of the toe of the Bow Glacier and upper portion of Bow Glacier Falls (L). Photo looks SW.
Bow Glacier and Bow Glacier Falls. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

A few people were out and about, but it was still relatively early.  The views from Bow Lake were wonderful, but this was only the beginning!  An incredible day full of amazing scenery was ahead.  The Bow Glacier Falls trail would be busy before long.  Still a chance to beat the rush, if the Carolina Dog got underway now!

Mount Jimmy Simpson (Center) from the N shore of Bow Lake. The Bow Glacier Falls Trail heads off to the L (W) along the shoreline. Photo looks NW.

From Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, the Bow Glacier Falls trail heads W along the N shore of Bow Lake.  Loopster had been this way before, but it was still astonishing how beautiful Bow Lake was!  Crowfoot Mountain soared dramatically from the opposite shore.  As Lupe got farther along the lake, she could see more of the wilderness peaks to the SW.

Bow Lake was an astonishingly beautiful blue! Crowfoot Mountain on the L. The spire seen far beyond Lupe at Center is St. Nicholas Peak (9,639 ft.). Photo looks SW.
Mount Olive (10,256 ft.) (L), St. Nicholas Peak (L of Center), Polaris Peak (8,694 ft.) (Center R). Bow Glacier and Bow Glacier Falls on the R. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Immediately beyond Bow Lake, the trail went SSW along the edge of a delta built up by the Bow River.  Looking back to the NE, Lupe could see Cirque Peak (9,820 ft.), which she had climbed in July, 2014.

Cirque Peak (Center) from the delta created by the Bow River where it enters Bow Lake. Photo looks NE.

For short stretches, the trail was forced a little up into the forest on the steep slope W of the closest channel of the Bow River, but most of the way Lupe was crossing an exposed floodplain covered with smallish rounded stones.  The river was low this time of year.

At one point, the Bow Glacier Falls Trail left the floodplain to climb over a little bump of a ridge before returning to the low ground.  A higher forested ridge was now ahead past another long stretch of floodplain.  At the far SSW end, a steep set of stairs started up this larger ridge.

The Bow Glacier Falls Trail follows the Bow River upstream. Photo looks SSW.
End of the super easy part! The stairs (Center) leading up the ridge are just ahead. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe started up the stairs.  To the L (SE), the Bow River gushed through a deep, narrow gorge.  When the stairs ended, the trail continued a short, steep climb to the top of the ridge.  Upon reaching the ridgeline, Lupe could see a tributary coming in from the S that joined the Bow River right before it entered the gorge.

Snow-clad Mount Olive (10,256 ft.) was in view at the far end of the scenic canyon that this tributary came from.

This is one of my favorite spots along the Bow Glacier Falls Trail! That snowy peak at the far end of the canyon is Mount Olive. Photo looks S.

From this same point, Bow Glacier Falls was in sight again off to the SW.  It wasn’t that much farther away now.

There’s Bow Glacier Falls (Center) again! We’re getting close! Photo looks SW.

As Lupe knew from experience, the trail went on all the way to the falls.  A most worthwhile trek, but that wasn’t the plan today.  Loop was now on the same forested ridge she had explored a year ago looking for the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson.  Back then, none of the little side trails in the forest had panned out.  Her chance to conduct a more thorough search of this whole region had finally arrived.

Just ahead, the Bow Glacier Falls Trail dipped into a low area next to a rocky ridge.  The trail skirted this ridge to the S before continuing on to the falls.  Before that, though, a side path headed off to the R (NW) into the gap between the forested and rocky ridges.  Of course!  That must be it!  SPHP led Lupe into the opening.  Two minutes later, the path ended.

Ended at a small, flat clearing of cracked mud where green shoots sprouted up.

Down?  That’s crazy!  Why would we go down, SPHP?  We just got here!  Only 2 seconds ago you were convinced the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was right around here, or only a little farther up closer to the falls.  Why don’t we go that way?

We will Loop, but first let’s eliminate the possibility that we’ve already missed the turn.  Might be harder to find this trail to Jimmy Simpson than I thought.  Keep in mind that last year on the way back from the falls to this point, I’d already spoken to the hiker that told us about it.  We looked for the trail to Jimmy Simpson up there, and we didn’t see it, remember?

Yes, but the trail has got to be partway up that mountain to the W, doesn’t it?  Which is higher, not lower!  Let’s just go over to the mountain, and start climbing.  We’ll find the way!  I’ll sniff it out!

Yes, it’s up there somewhere, but that mountainside is a huge, steep area.  Maybe you can run around easily enough on it, but I can’t.  You know how slow I am!  A lot of that territory might be completely impassable to me due to the jungle lower down, and cliffs higher up.  We should at least scout out what looks like the best approach from down here in case we can’t find the trail.

Can’t find it!  We’ll come across it soon enough.  Your magic map shows the route, doesn’t it?  Why aren’t we following it to begin with?  What does it say?  How about we just follow the map instead of wasting time going back to where we’ve already been.

The map says I should have printed out more map.  It shows a GPS track, but I can’t tell exactly where until it’s way, way up there.  So we need to find the trail down here, or at least figure out what looks like the best chance of success before doing anything drastic.

A year to prepare, and you brought half a map?  Oh, silly me!  That’s right!  I’m with someone who doesn’t think to bring a coat to the Arctic.  OK, whatever you say, SPHP.  Seems ridiculous, but if it makes you happy, let’s go back down and see whatever we should have been looking at on the way here.

Shouldn’t take long, Loop.  Promise!

Lupe hadn’t had much of a lead on the morning crowd about to swarm up to Bow Glacier Falls.  While she headed back down the forested ridge to the stairway, groups of hikers were coming up.  SPHP chatted briefly with anyone who seemed inclined to stop for a moment.  Any chance they happened to know where the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was?

It was a total, desperate, long shot, and SPHP knew it.  Probably wasn’t one person in a hundred, maybe a thousand, who had any intention of going up Mount Jimmy Simpson.  Everyone was heading to Bow Glacier Falls, the splendid, easy to reach attraction not that far away.

Naturally, no one had a clue.  Lupe was almost to the bottom of the stairs when one couple that was particularly friendly offered to compare the GPS route on SPHP’s paper map with the topo map on their phone.  The verdict was inconclusive, but it looked like the GPS route left the trail somewhat farther up toward the falls, not down here.

A fool’s errand, but I guess we gotta do this! Still mighty pretty along in here, even if we aren’t getting anywhere. Lupe on her way back down the stairs. Photo looks NNE.

SPHP thanked the helpful couple, and they went on.

No sense going any farther.  What could be seen so far didn’t look right.  Too much dense forest to the W for too far up.  Not much of a chance the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson was actually down here.  Who knew for sure, though?  Couldn’t be ruled out entirely, but this didn’t jive with what the hiker had said a year ago, nor what the friendly couple’s phone indicated, nor SPHP’s impression held for many months now based on what could be remembered of the complete map.

Satisfied, SPHP?

Yeah, I think so.

Back up then?

Uh, huh.  Onward, sweet puppy!

When Loop got back to the top of the forested ridge where she could see Bow Glacier Falls again, the friendly couple wasn’t far away.  They were now down in the dip between the ridges chatting with another group of hikers.  They had the trail blocked.  After the conversation broke up, and the other hikers were already underway, Lupe and SPHP went over to talk to the couple again.

They had news!  Guess where that group of 5 hikers that had just left them was heading?  Yes, that’s right – Mount Jimmy Simpson!  A quick, sincere thank you, and Lupe was off!

 After them, SPHP!  Don’t let them get away!

Luck of the Dingo!  That’s what it was!  The 5 hikers stayed on the main trail to Bow Glacier Falls much farther than SPHP expected.  They were halfway to the falls before they left the trail angling WSW up a rock strewn slope toward a big forested ramp.

Mount Jimmy Simpson (Center) from just past the rocky ridge (R). Photo looks NNW.
Hurry, SPHP! We can’t lose them! Off-trail now, the 5 hikers head for a big forested ramp. Photo looks WSW.

SPHP wasn’t fast enough to gain on the hikers.  They reached the base of the ramp and disappeared into the forest.  No choice, but to try to keep after them.

Perfectly obvious now why the Carolina Dog hadn’t seen where the trail to Mount Jimmy Simpson left the Bow Glacier Falls Trail a year ago.  No such discernible trail existed.  This was simply an unmarked route up the stony slope.  And it didn’t start from anywhere near that lower forested ridge.

Look how close we are to Bow Glacier Falls! Photo looks SSW.

The Luck of the Dingo held.  When SPHP reached the forest at the base of the ramp, Lupe discovered that the 5 hikers hadn’t gone much farther.  They’d paused for a break in a grassy spot among huge boulders.  SPHP stopped to catch breath close enough to hear them talking.

Bow Glacier Falls from close to the first rest stop at the base of the ramp. Photo looks S.

The hikers were already about rested up.  Within minutes they pressed on heading NNE up the ramp.  SPHP tried to follow, but immediately fell behind.  A scramble up a short rocky slope led to a grassier, wider part of the ramp.  Lupe did find a faint trail along in here.

The grassy part of the ramp was moderately steep, but not too hard.  It wasn’t long, though, before an obvious scar appeared on the really steep slope on the L (W).  That scar was a badly eroded remnant of a trail.  The hikers were still in sight, heading straight up this slope toward a stunted forest at the base of a cliff.

Lupe could have kept up with those hikers so easily!  Ever faithful, she instead hung back with SPHP, who kept having to pause to catch breath, and seemed doomed to lose them.  Even while gasping for air, it was amazing how spectacular the views were already becoming!

Loop about to leave the first big ramp to follow the hikers up to the patch of forest (Center) at the base of the cliffs. Photo looks WNW.
The first big ramp (Lower L) is down by the forest. Vulture Peak (9,701 ft.) (L), Mount Olive (R of Center) and Polaris Peak (R above the falls). Photo looks S.

The hikers disappeared from sight again well before SPHP reached the base of the cliff.  Lupe continued steeply higher, following a bit of a trail N right alongside the cliff wall.  To SPHP’s relief, the hikers had paused a second time.  Lupe and SPHP caught up.  The Carolina Dog’s tour guides left again almost immediately, still heading N along walls of rock.

SPHP took another breather.  Lupe now had a great view of Bow Lake.

Bow Lake with Cirque Peak (Center) beyond it. Photo looks NE.

Then it was off again, chasing after those 5 hikers!  Lupe traversed many narrow ledges.  Every now and then, there were nearly vertical short climbs higher.  Some places there were stunted conifers, other places were out in the dizzying, airy open.  Often there was a visible trail, but not always.  Sometimes the “trail” was braided, offering more than one possible route.

For a while, SPHP did a better job of staying caught up.  Eventually, though, the hikers began to pull away.  More and more often, they were lost from view.  Each time the Carolina Dog rounded a minor corner, she saw them again, but farther and farther away.

The views became ever more impressive.  SPHP often clung to the rock walls next to the narrow ledges.  Finally, two errors were committed – steep climbs that led to dead ends.  Careful retreats consumed precious minutes.  Lupe continued on, but the hikers were gone.

Cirque Peak (L) and Dolomite Peak (9,383 ft.) (the spiky one on the R) beyond Bow Lake. Crowfoot Mountain (R) in the foreground. Photo looks ENE.
Looking back again. Crowfoot Mountain (L), Vulture Peak (Center), Mount Olive (R), Polaris Peak (far R). Photo looks S.
Coming up the narrow ledges. Photo looks SSW.

Happily, before going too much farther, the ledges finally broadened out.  The terrain became far less steep and nerve-wracking.  Lupe ought to be able to get to Mount Jimmy Simpson on her own now!

Oh, happy day! The ledges are widening out and there’s Mount Jimmy Simpson (Center) dead ahead! Photo looks N.

Lupe and SPHP were making much faster progress again.  A question soon arose as to whether or not to climb up onto a considerably higher big ramp to the W.  A little movement caught the eye.  Two of the hikers were in view!  Far away, but on the same ramp Lupe was on.  No need to go higher.

This was easy terrain, almost level.  Lupe was gaining on them now!  Soon all 5 were in sight climbing a slope leading to another wide ramp.

Catching up! The route goes up the slope directly beyond Lupe only far enough to be able to turn R (N) along the top of the closest rock wall on the R. The 5 hikers are mere specks just to the L of the slope beyond Loop. Photo looks NW.

Looper followed them.  As she reached the top of this final ramp, all 5 hikers were once again in view, but still with a big lead.  One by one, they disappeared over a bouldery ridge at the far end of the ramp.

Puppy, ho!  Onward!

Doing great! The 5 hikers are still in sight as specks at the very center of this photo. They’ll soon disappear over the gray ridge. Clearly, the goal now is to get to the upper saddle (Center). Photo looks NW.

Lupe crested the bouldery ridge 7 minutes later.  A down climb amid huge boulders was directly ahead.  At the bottom, a long snowfield led NW most of the way up a giant cirque.  The 5 hikers were just now reaching the snow, about to start up again.

As soon as SPHP managed to get down there, Lupe was in pursuit.

Lupe at the base of the snowfield in the giant cirque. Her tour guides are leading the way higher. Photo looks NW.

The huge cirque became progressively steeper.  Beyond the upper limit of the snowfield, it was worse yet.  Most of the terrain consisted of small to medium-sized scree.  The loose scree was increasingly unstable.  A partially exposed band of bedrock formed the critical juncture.  Get above that upper rim, and the American Dingo would have it made!

This was not a trivial task.  Lupe had almost caught up to the 5 hikers.  Their group consisted of 3 women and 2 men, all young and strong, but even they were having to be careful and take their time.  SPHP favored going almost straight up the middle of the cirque, but Lupe’s guides headed toward the firmer exposed rock formations on the R (N).  Stones came clattering down, but both men and one of the women made it up without too much trouble.

The other 2 women were having a slower time of it.  Lupe and SPHP caught up to them, and even got ahead for a little way.  It was the first real opportunity for interaction, and sort of broke the ice a bit.  After some anxious moments clinging to whatever nub of firm rock presented itself as scree showered down the treacherous slope, everyone made it safely past the dicey part.

The worst was over!  Yet another steep slope led directly to the big upper saddle, but this was nothing compared to what Loopster had just been through.  The unseen summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson was somewhere to the N, still 900 feet higher, but nothing but a long, steady trudge up a barren, obstacle-free slope remained.  Lupe was in a world of rock, sky, and fabulous views of snow-clad peaks, ice fields and glaciers.

Looking back from above the upper rim of the giant cirque. Photo looks S.

It would have been easy to go straight on up to the huge upper saddle, but Lupe’s guides took a more efficient route, bypassing it more directly to the N.  SPHP couldn’t keep up, and fell behind again.  All 5 hikers were pulling away.  Hardly mattered now, anyway.  Lupe was going to make it!

Looking back toward the upper saddle. Lupe never actually went to it, coming up from the L (SE). Photo looks W.
The summit (R) comes into view. Photo looks NNE.
The final stretch. Photo looks N.

Lupe reached the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson (9,731 ft.) 10 or 15 minutes after the 5 hikers.  They were all hanging out near the summit cairn, or over by the tremendous view of Bow Lake.  SPHP made certain to praise Looper for making it all the way up this mighty peak, shaking her paw and congratulating her with great enthusiasm.

At the summit of Mount Jimmy Simpson. Mount Patterson (10,469 ft.) with snow on the L. Mistaya River valley (R). A smidgen of Peyto Lake is in view. Photo looks NW.

Everyone else seemed pleased by that, and offered the Carolina Dog praise, too.  Introductions were made, and SPHP got to chatting with Lupe’s benefactors.  All 5 were from Calgary.  Apparently they were in the habit of exploring the Canadian Rockies together fairly frequently, although whether they were were all members of some sort of alpine club, or simply good friends, was never clear.

After pleasantries were exchanged, Lupe and SPHP devoted attention to the fabulous views good fortune had made it possible to enjoy.

Cauldron Lake (L), Mistaya Mountain (10,154 ft.) (Center), and the Delta Glacier (R). Photo looks NW.
Peyto Glacier. Photo looks SW.
Peyto Peak (9,744 ft.) (L), Cauldron Lake (Center) and Mistaya Mountain (R). Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe on Mount Jimmy Simpson. Patterson Peak on the L. Photo looks NNW.
Bow Lake from Mount Jimmy Simpson summit. Mount Hector (11,135 ft.) (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.
Peyto Glacier. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.
The closest peaks beyond Icefields Parkway Hwy 93 are Cirque Peak (9,820 ft.) (L) and Dolomite Peak (9,383 ft.) (jagged on the R). Photo looks E.
Mistaya River valley. Photo looks NNW.
Peyto Peak (L), Cauldron Lake (Center), Mistaya Mountain (Center), and the Delta Glacier (R) again. Photo looks WNW.

For a while, Lupe relaxed near the summit cairn.

Taking it easy on Mount Jimmy Simpson. Photo looks ESE.
Mount Hector on the R. Mighty thoughtful of the Canadians to provide such a colorful array of backpacks! Photo looks SE.
Looking back down at the upper saddle. Mount Thompson (10,135 ft.) (Center). The Bow Glacier and lake above Bow Glacier Falls are on the L. Peyto Glacier on the R. Photo looks SW.
Mount Balfour (10,774 ft.) (far L), Mount Olive (10,256 ft.) (L), St. Nicholas Peak (9,639 ft.) (dark prong at Center), Mount Gordon (10,371 ft.) (R). Bow Glacier also on the R. Bow Glacier Falls (Lower L). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Bow Lake from Mount Jimmy Simpson. Photo looks SE.

Lupe got to spend over 40 minutes up on Mount Jimmy Simpson.  She rested up, saw incredible sights, and made 5 new friends.  Before departing, her Canadian benefactors were all quite willing to pose with the American Dingo.

On Mount Jimmy Simpson with (L to R): Cayla, Fletcher, Betty, Sarah & Jon.

It was sad to see them go.  Sad, because her new friends were all leaving her behind.  And sad, because it meant Lupe was going to have to leave the splendor of Mount Jimmy Simpson, too.  SPHP thought it best to try to stay close to the Canadians during the tricky route along the narrow ledges.

Lupe’s new friends start back down toward the upper saddle. Photo looks SW.
The Canadians approach the upper lip of the giant cirque. Photo looks S.

SPHP is even slower going down steep stuff than going up.  So the return trip was similar to Lupe’s ascent.  SPHP always trying not to fall too far behind.  Lupe caught up to the Canadians once as they were deciding which way to descend into the giant cirque, and again when they took a short break on the wide ramps.

Heading down the wide ramps below the giant cirque. Photo looks S.

After that, though, the Canadians were simply faster.  They came into view now and then, but always farther ahead than before.  They took a lower descent path this time avoiding some of the more treacherous, narrowest ledges.  SPHP wound up too low, stuck thrashing around in the forest for a little way.

From the top of the morning’s first steep ascent where the scar of a trail was, Lupe saw the Canadians for the last time.  They were already down on the first big ramp, still moving fast.

The way back was well known from here.  Lupe and SPHP slowed down.  May as well enjoy this beautiful evening in the Canadian Rockies.  Lupe’s Calgary guides were gone.  The crowds who had come to see Bow Glacier Falls were long gone, too.  Solitude, splendid scenery on an enormous scale, and an easy trek back to Bow Lake to look forward to.

Nearing Bow Glacier Falls on the way down the first ramp. Photo looks SSW.
Out on the rocky slope looking back up at Mount Jimmy Simpson and the first big ramp. Photo looks N.
Approaching the forested ridge on the way back to the stairs and Bow Lake. Cirque Peak (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.

What a glorious day Mount Jimmy Simpson had been!  By all rights, it should have been a complete flop.  Not likely Lupe and SPHP would ever have found the way up Mount Jimmy Simpson, if those 5 Canadians from Calgary hadn’t come along right when they did.

Luck of the Dingo!  If it kept holding like it did today, the next 6 weeks were going to be fantastic!

Cayla, Fletcher, Betty, Sarah, Jon & Lupe on Mount Jimmy Simpson, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada 8-6-18

Links:

Next Adventure

Bow Lake & the Trail to Bow Glacier Falls, Banff National Park, Canada (7-25-13)

Cirque Peak, Banff National Park, Canada (7-27-14)

Bow Glacier Falls, Banff National Park, Canada (8-2-17)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.