Canadian Rockies – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

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.

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.

*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.

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 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.

Overlander Falls, Rearguard Falls & Ancient Forest, British Columbia, Canada (8-2-17)

Part 2 of Day 3, plus Day 4 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska

(Day 3, 8-2-17, noon) My how things had changed! When Lupe and SPHP got back to the Bow Glacier Falls trailhead near Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on beautiful Bow Lake shortly before noon, the parking lot, which had been nearly vacant when the American Dingo arrived early this morning, was jam packed with vehicles. A long line was waiting to get in, and another trying to get out.

After some delay, the G6 made it out onto Icefields Parkway Hwy 93. Only a few miles farther N at Bow Summit, SPHP made the mistake of taking the turn for Peyto Lake. The situation was the same here. No place to park, vehicles circling endlessly, and throngs of tourists everywhere.

Another delay getting back onto Hwy 93 ensued, but eventually Lupe was headed N again. It was the height of the summer tourist season. After an overcast late autumn feel to the start of the day back in Banff this morning, the sky was bright blue and temperatures were soaring. As a result, the magnificent Canadian Rockies were completely overrun.

Loopster, you were dang lucky to have Bow Glacier Falls all to yourself this morning!

The early Dingo gets the … uh, squirrel, you know, SPHP!

Apparently, that was absolutely the case. The mid-day drive N through Banff and Jasper National Parks was stunning as always, but at all the other short day hikes Lupe might have done, the story was the same. No room to park at Parker Ridge, no room at Wilcox Pass, not even a single available spot at the giant paved parking lot at the Icefields Centre across from the Athabasca Glacier.

Heading N through the **Canadian Rockies** on Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.

SPHP did manage to sneak the G6 into a couple of pullouts on the way N. Lupe got brief looks at splendid views before having to hit the road again to let someone else have a turn.

Looper at a pullout with a view across the **Sunwapta River** of the **Stutfield Glacier**, part of the **Columbia Icefield**. Photo looks SW.

Despite the crowds, SPHP thought Lupe had an ace in the hole. She would stop at her favorite secret picnic ground on the Athabasca river 5 or 6 miles S of Athabasca Falls. Due to a total lack of signage, only a few locals ever seemed to realize it was there. Everyone else roared right on by the inconspicuous turn.

When Lupe got there, SPHP was aghast. New signage! The formerly secret picnic ground wasn’t completely overrun, but it was no longer the Carolina Dog’s private preserve, either. Lupe and SPHP stopped long enough to go over to the river to take a look at the familiar lovely views, but the solitude which had been so exquisite here even on super touristy days was gone.

At the **Athabasca River** near what used to be a very private picnic ground due to a lack of signage. Unfortunately, new signs were up and the solitude Lupe used to enjoy here on previous years had vanished. Photo looks NW.

Since the Canadian Rockies were so busy on what was rapidly becoming a hot summer afternoon, SPHP decided Lupe ought to just keep going. After a quick stop for fuel and supplies in Jasper, Lupe enjoyed an air-conditioned ride W on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16.

Upon reaching the British Columbia border, Lupe entered Mount Robson Provincial Park. When SPHP spotted the Overlander Falls trailhead next to the highway, no one was there. Perfect! SPHP pulled into the nearly empty parking lot.

Lupe had stopped at Overlander Falls on her 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska, too, so she knew what to expect. The main trail down to the falls is a nice, shady 10 minute stroll through the forest.

On the main trail to Overlander Falls, only a 10 minute, mostly downhill stroll away.

Last year, Lupe had visited Overlander Falls on a cloudy, drippy day. The falls had been impressive then, but in the sunshine this afternoon Overlander Falls was absolutely gorgeous! The Fraser River was an amazing pale blue color mixed with a clean, foamy white.

**Overlander Falls** was absolutely gorgeous on this sunny afternoon! Only 30 ft. high, **Overlander Falls** is one of only 2 significant waterfalls on the **Fraser River**, the other being **Rearguard Falls** farther downstream. The trailhead is located on the S side of Yellowhead Hwy 16 about 2 km E of the **Mount Robson Provincial Park** headquarters and visitor center.

Lupe was glad to see Overlander Falls again! The waterfall put out a cool, misty spray, which felt great on a hot afternoon. The torrent pouring over the falls produced a soothing continuous roar.

Lupe was glad to see **Overlander Falls** again! The falls produced a cool, misty spray which felt great on a hot afternoon.

Loop by the downstream end of the big, beautiful swirling pool of water below the falls.

Lupe had lovely Overlander Falls all to herself, but only for 10 minutes or so. Soon people were coming. Best to let them enjoy some privacy here, too. The Carolina Dog started back up the trail to the parking lot.

Enjoying a few minutes of cool, misty solitude down by Overlander Falls.

Not far from Overlander Falls, a longer side trail branches off the main trail and follows the Fraser River downstream for 2 km. The side trail stays well above the Fraser River, which isn’t even in view a good deal of the time. It ends at a road 0.5 km from Mount Robson Provincial Park headquarters and visitor center.

Lupe had taken the side trail last year, but had a painful experience when she got too excited about a squirrel. A dewclaw caught on a root or branch while she was leaping about. The dewclaw had broken off, which hadn’t been much fun at all. Instead of taking the side trail, this time around Lupe let SPHP drive her to the Mount Robson Provincial Park visitor center.

Mount Robson (12,989 ft.) is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. In 2013, Lupe had taken the Berg Lake trail all the way up to Berg Lake, where she’d had a grand view of Mount Robson and the Berg and Mist Glaciers after traveling through the Valley of a Thousand Falls. That had been a truly glorious adventure, but a long, long day.

Last year, Mount Robson had been mostly hidden in clouds when Lupe dropped by the visitor center. Today the mountain soared in sunshine, highlighted against a brilliant blue sky. The sight was enough to make the American Dingo want to take the Berg Lake trail again.

Lupe drops by the Mount Robson Provincial Park visitor center to see **Mount Robson** (L), the highest mountain in the **Canadian Rockies**.

Lupe would have been willing to stay and take the Berg Lake trail all the way around to the other side of **Mount Robson** (23 km one way!). SPHP had to admit that would have been a tremendously fun thing to do, but Loop had other great adventures in store for her on this year’s grand **Dingo Vacation**!

**Mount Robson** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.

From the visitor center, it was only eight miles to Lupe’s next stop at Rearguard Falls. On the way, the temperature hit a sweltering 89°F!

Like at Overlander Falls, the Rearguard Falls trailhead was right along Yellowhead Hwy 16. A 10 minute walk down a good trail brought Lupe to an extensive boardwalk system with metal railings.

Lupe on the boardwalk platform closest to **Rearguard Falls**. **Rearguard Falls** wasn’t as high as **Overlander Falls**, but being downstream, contained an even more tremendous flow.

Rearguard Falls, though not as high as Overlander Falls roughly 10 miles upstream, has great significance as the only other waterfall on the 854 mile long Fraser River. Rearguard Falls is high enough and powerful enough to be an effective barrier against nearly all migrating salmon. While a few salmon may be strong enough or lucky enough to make it over Rearguard Falls, none make it past Overlander Falls.

Few migrating salmon can make it past **Rearguard Falls**. Even those that do are ultimately blocked only 10 miles upstream by **Overlander Falls**.

Rearguard Falls was the last stop Lupe would make for a while, so she lingered as long as she could by the beautiful waterfall until SPHP said it was time to be moving on again.

*Oh, mighty interesting about the salmon getting stuck here, SPHP! Sounds pretty good! Think we can catch one? I like salmon!*

Don’t think so Looper. Not seeing any salmon here today. Maybe it’s the wrong time of year? This is a provincial park, anyway. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be too happy with us feasting on the salmon here.

The beautiful Fraser River immediately downstream of **Rearguard Falls**.

Lupe and SPHP went on, continuing W on Yellowhead Hwy 16. Soon after leaving Rearguard Falls, Hwy 5 branched off going S to Kamloops. Nearly all the traffic went that way. Lupe stayed on Hwy 16 following the Fraser River valley toward Prince George.

The Carolina Dog barked at cows and horses as she cruised by occasional green fields scattered among the forest. The Fraser River was seldom in view. The valley was miles wide, and bordered by high mountains on both sides. The mountains to the NE were closest. They weren’t as spectacular as Mount Robson, but were still very scenic.

Gradually the fields with their cows and horses disappeared. Forests lined the highway. Lupe calmed down and relaxed. The late afternoon heat faded to a comfortable level. The busy crowds had vanished. SPHP owned the road, driving with the windows partially down to let fresh air swirl through. As mile after gorgeous mile went by, the drive took on a peaceful, dream-like quality. The G6 hummed steadily NW.

It was evening, when a sign came into view. It was a big new sign where a year ago there had only been a small one. “Ancient Forest”. Well, why not? A huge, wide, short gravel road led up a hillside to an enormous gravel parking lot. Everything was new. The immediate area had been stripped of trees. At one end of the parking lot were two picnic tables and a couple of outhouses. That was it for facilities.

Lupe arrives at the Ancient Forest along Yellowhead Hwy 16, about 70 miles SE of Prince George, British Columbia.

A guy with a bicycle was using one of the picnic tables. Only one pickup truck was parked in the absurdly gigantic parking lot. No one else was in sight. Lupe and SPHP got out for a look around.

A few signs were posted near a registry at the start of a boardwalk trail leading into the forest. The signs said this area was a rare ancient inland rainforest. Huge western redcedars, many over 1,000 years old, and some over 2,000 years old are the dominant tree. A map showed a trail system with two loops and a couple of spurs.

One of the signs at the registration station near the start of the loop trails leading into the Ancient Forest.

Several vehicles came and went while SPHP read the signs. The occupants were only interested in using the outhouses. No one else came to explore a trail, or even glance at what the Ancient Forest was all about.

The Ancient Forest seemed quite different from Lupe’s usual adventures, but she was here now, and Loopster was certainly ready for action. SPHP registered for her, and the American Dingo set out on the handi-cap accessible boardwalk leading into the rainforest. (7:43 PM, 70°F)

Lupe enters the **Ancient Forest** of western redcedars on the handi-cap accessible boardwalk.

The ancient western redcedars were enormous! The redcedars stood straight and tall with few branches until high above the ground. Most branches seemed pathetically small for the size of the trees. Clumps of moss clung to the tree trunks. The forest floor was covered with ferns, plants with huge leaves, and more moss.

Moss clung to the trunks of the ancient western redcedars. These trees were enormous – straight and tall, with few branches until high above the ground.

The level handi-cap accessible “universal” boardwalk was on supports keeping it several feet above the forest floor, and had railings on both sides. Lupe followed it all the way to a promised viewpoint at its far end, a distance of several hundred meters. The “viewpoint” turned out to be just another spot in the forest like any other, except that a foot trail left the boardwalk and continued on from here.

The foot trail was the E end of a much longer trail that crosses a small creek nearby before gaining more than 3,800 feet (1,169 m) of elevation on its way up to a high point in the subalpine on Driscoll Ridge. The 8.1 mile (15.5 km) long Driscoll Ridge trail ultimately loops back down to Yellowhead Hwy 16 at a point 3 miles (5 km) W of the Ancient Forest trailhead.

Well, Lupe certainly didn’t have time to do all that this evening, so she turned around and went back to where the Waterfall/Tree Beard loop of the Ancient Forest trail system left the handi-cap accessible trail.

On the handicap-accessible “universal” trail heading back to where the Waterfall/Tree Beard loop leaves it.

Once off the handicap-accessible trail, Lupe headed for Tree Beard. The loop trail was still raised boardwalk, but it wasn’t nearly as high above the forest floor as on the universal trail, and now there were low steps and no railings. Most of the boardwalk was covered with a shingle-like material for better traction. The trail gained elevation at a moderate pace as it went up the slope leading to Tree Beard.

Maps like this one were posted at several points along the Ancient Forest loop trails.

Tree Beard was a particularly large, ancient western redcedar, and still very much alive. Nearly all its spindly little branches were way, way up above the ground.

Lupe next to Tree Beard, a particularly large, ancient western redcedar.

Lupe’s next stop was the waterfall. The waterfall was located at the end of a spur off the main loop trail. This was the high point of the whole Ancient Forest trail system, some 343 feet (104 m) above the trailhead.

The pretty waterfall flowed down green moss-covered rocks, but was sort of small. After seeing Overlander Falls and Rearguard Falls earlier in the day, the Carolina Dog wasn’t particularly impressed. Of course, the waterfall might be more impressive at other times of year. Perhaps this was the dry season? For a rainforest, everything seemed very dry.

The pretty waterfall at the high point of the Ancient Forest trail system.

Lupe returned to the main Waterfall/Tree Beard loop and continued on through the prehistoric forest.

This Ancient Forest really is cool, don’t you think, Looper? Seems like a place where you could meet a dinosaur!

A dinosaur! In Canada? Not too likely, SPHP. Haven’t seen a single one since we got here. In fact, I really can’t remember the last time I saw one anywhere. Dinosaurs are pretty scarce these days.

True enough. Maybe a bear, then. You saw bears in Canada last year, remember?

Oh yeah! A bear would be exciting! Maybe we’ll see a bear?

Lupe keeping an eye out for bears, and maybe even dinosaurs! Who knew what might lurk in the Ancient Forest?

When Lupe reached the Gold-Dust Tree, she found the tree had taken the unusual step of posting a sign boasting about the view it had of a distant mountain named Mount Sir Alexander (10,745 ft.). The sign said Mount Sir Alexander had been climbed only a few times, though the Gold-Dust Tree didn’t claim to have done it.

The sign posted by the Gold-Dust Tree about **Mount Sir Alexander**.

This was all quite interesting to a peakbagging Carolina Dog. She was fortunate enough to be here on a clear day when she could actually see the real Mount Sir Alexander, too. It was an impressive peak, glistening with glaciers just as the Gold-Dust Tree claimed.

Lupe was disappointed, though, to see that the mountain appeared well beyond SPHP’s peakbagging capabilities. That being the case, she knew she wouldn’t ever get to climb Mount Sir Alexander herself, either.

**Mount Sir Alexander** was an impressive peak, but Lupe could see that SPHP would never make it up something like that. Sadly, that meant she would never get to climb it, either. Photo looks NE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Apparently, the sight of Mount Sir Alexander had gotten Lupe thinking.

You know what, SPHP? This Ancient Forest would be a great place to come to on a cloudy wet day. It wouldn’t be worth climbing any mountains on a day like that, because you wouldn’t see anything anyway, but the Ancient Forest would be fantastic! All drippy, misty, foggy and spooky-like! Makes me feel all scary and wild and ferocious just thinking about it!

Hah! Great idea, Loopster! Makes me wish it was all misty, drippy, and foggy right now!

I’d be the top predator, the most ferocious Dingo in the Ancient Forest! I’d go roaming and prowling among these monstrous trees on the hunt, ripping apart and devouring everything and anything I came to. Most fun ever! You could come with, SPHP, and help out. It’s always smart to hunt in packs, you know.

Maybe. I dunno know, Loop, we might run into Big Claw!

Big Claw? Who’s that?

Oh, don’t you remember fighting Big Paw on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state? That was a rain forest, too. Down there, they had Big Paw, and he almost got the best of you. Up here, they probably have Big Claw, maybe a massive bear or something like that. Perhaps a giant grizzly! Big Paw was bad enough. You might not survive an encounter with Big Claw!

Lupe glanced around the forest, ears pricked up, nose twitching.

Big Claw wouldn’t be here on a day like today, do you think, SPHP?

Not entirely certain about that, Loop. I don’t see any ripe berries around, so probably not, but who knows? Best to stay alert. Don’t go wandering off.

Maybe we should get out of here before it gets dark, SPHP. Let’s keep going and see what’s next.

What was next was the Radies Tree, another huge western redcedar. The tree was named after Dave Radies, a graduate student at the University of Northern British Columbia, who had noticed in 2005 that trees in this area were marked for logging. Mr. Radies alerted the public, which led to the preservation of the Ancient Forest.

A few hundred feet (100 m) beyond the Radies Tree, Lupe came to a trail junction. She could take a shortcut back to the G6 completing the Waterfall/Tree Beard loop, or explore the Big Tree loop.

The Big Tree loop was the smaller of the two loops. It wouldn’t take much longer to check it out, too. There was still plenty of light out, and exploring the lonely Ancient Forest was pretty fun. Loop decided she’d like to see Big Tree.

Big Tree was a monster so large SPHP couldn’t even get a decent photo of it. A short side trail went to a platform right at the base of the tree. To get to the platform, Lupe had to pass beneath a huge tree that had fallen over. That fallen tree was mighty cool, too.

Having seen Big Tree, it was time to head back to the G6. Most of the return trip was an easy, downhill stroll on the boardwalk. Lupe never did see Big Claw, nor Medium Claw, Small Claw, or Tiny Claw, either for that matter.

Although forest was already getting gloomy, it was quite light out despite the late hour when Lupe and SPHP emerged from the Ancient Forest back at the huge, open parking lot (9:44 PM). The guy with the bicycle was gone. Only one other vehicle was around, a pickup with a camper which appeared intent on spending the night parked way down at the far end. Good idea. Lupe would spent the night here, too.

(Day 4, 8-3-17) Early, very early. The Big Dipper was so bright in the night sky, SPHP could see it without glasses, which was saying something. Later, a single bright spot appeared near the horizon. Must be Venus. Dawn was coming. Up at 5:48 AM, SPHP made use of one of the picnic tables, while Lupe sniffed around close by. Soon she was on Yellowhead Hwy 16 again, heading W for Prince George.

Prince George was only 65 miles (104 km) from Ancient Forest, so it was still early when Lupe arrived. SPHP fueled up the G6, then discovered that Save on Food didn’t even open until 8:00 AM, which seemed crazy. It was such a long way to the next substantial town, however, it was best to wait. Shortly after 8:00 AM, Lupe was on her way again, the G6 stocked with fresh provisions.

Loop and SPHP headed N out of Prince George on Hwy 97. The Carolina Dog enjoyed lapping up newly acquired chocolate milk, as she watched the scenery go by. Lupe had lots of nice breaks from the G6 yesterday, so this was going to be a travel day, spent mainly making tracks N. Even so, there would be a few stops along the way.

Looking at maps, SPHP had gotten the idea that it might be fun to see the Parsnip Reach of Williston Lake. This involved a 19 mile (30 km) side trip (one way) on Hwy 39 to Mackenzie, which according to SPHP’s wholly inadequate and deceptive maps appeared to be on the lake. No doubt the lake wasn’t too far away, but despite driving through the entire length of Mackenzie, and several miles past it on a dusty gravel road, Williston Lake refused to appear.

Driving back through Mackenzie again, SPHP saw no signs indicating how one might obtain lake access. Fiddlesticks! However, there was one strange thing Lupe might have a look at in Mackenzie. A gigantic yellow machine sat next to Hwy 39 right at the edge of town. Lupe stopped by to see what it was.

The yellow monster turned out to be “The World’s Largest Tree Crusher“. The electrically powered tree crusher had arrived at Kennedy Siding, wherever that was, in late 1964. Plagued with problems, it saw use in 1965 clearing 2,590 acres of forest, but apparently little actual use for its intended purpose after that. Now it was a tourist attraction.

Lupe visits “The World’s Largest Tree Crusher” in Mackenzie, British Columbia.

It’s a mighty odd tourist attraction, Loop. How many people make travel plans to see a giant tree crusher, anyway?

You did.

I did not! This is purely accidental. We came here to see Williston Lake, and found this beastly behemoth instead. No doubt it’s an engineering feat of sorts, although the sign says it had lots of problems, but it’s kind of a nightmarish thing, isn’t it? Can you imagine this metal monster smashing down entire forests, leaving an indiscriminate wake of destruction in its path?

It does look terrifying. I’m glad it’s dead!

The World’s Largest Tree Crusher was just plain scary to think about!

Without ever catching so much as a glimpse of Williston Lake, Lupe and SPHP returned to Hwy 97 and continued N. Near Chetwynd, SPHP took Hwy 29, a shortcut to the Alaska Highway NW of Fort St. John. Lupe stopped by Moberly Lake, which looked beautiful and remote where the highway first reached it.

Lupe at the E end of **Moberly Lake** where Hwy 29 first reaches it coming from Chetwynd. Photo looks W.

Lupe and SPHP took a short walk. Moberly Lake was certainly beautiful, surrounded by low mountains. Lupe could see only part of it from here, since it was miles long. However, the lake was not as remote as it first appeared. It turned out there were recreational facilities along the S shore, and lots of homes in the community of Moberly Lake along the N shore where Hwy 29 went.

**Moberly Lake** wasn’t as remote as it first appeared, but was beautiful nevertheless. Lupe discovered there were recreational facilities along the S shore. The community of Moberly Lake was strung out along the N shore where Hwy 29 went.

Beyond Moberly Lake, Hwy 29 eventually crossed a bridge over the Peace River, whereupon it turned NE following the Peace River valley downstream. The valley was very pretty, bordered by forested ridges on both sides, and full of fields along the river bottom After some distance, Hwy 29 climbed out of the valley to a high point where there was a rest area with a great view.

Lupe had a great view of the Peace River valley from a rest stop positioned at this high point along Hwy 29. Photo looks SW.

The Peace River with a bit of help from the telephoto lens.

The Peace River flows out of Williston Lake. Information at the rest stop showed that Lupe would have been able to access the Peace Reach of Williston Lake, if she had left Hwy 29 at Hudson’s Hope taking Canyon Drive to the W.A.C Bennett Dam. Oh well, too late now. SPHP had no intention of backtracking that far.

Looking downstream from the rest stop. Photo looks ENE.

The nice Peace River sight-seeing break at the rest stop was the last big one Lupe got all day. Hwy 29 ended at the Alaska Highway a few miles NW of Fort St. John. SPHP drove into town to gas up the G6. Then Lupe cruised N and W on the Alaska Highway the rest of the day with only a few brief stops along the way.

Dusk found Lupe W of Fort Nelson, stopped for the night at a pullout at a low spot along the Alaska Highway. A creek could be heard nearby, but this must have been a swampy area. Swarms of mosquitoes discouraged any lengthy ventures out of the G6. The world turned dark. After a bite to eat, SPHP pulled Lupe’s blankie over her, and it was off to adventures in Dingo dreamland.

Taking a brief break along the Alaska Highway somewhere between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.

Big clouds sailed over the Alaska Highway on the way to Fort Nelson. Lupe eventually passed through rain showers, then saw a rainbow in Fort Nelson.

The Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (7-30-13)

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