Stanley Glacier in Kootenay N.P.

Tue 31st Aug. Officially been in Canada one month today, seems a lot longer, seen and done so much already. This morning we headed straight to Castle Mountain Campground to try and secure a site, however when we got there found it didn't open this season, so we tried Protection Mountain Campground further north up the road, and had no problem getting a site. So with that done, we headed back down and into Kootenay National Park to do what looked like a small easy hike - Stanley Glacier, 4.2 km one way, 365 m elevation gain. For most part it was a very easy trail with very gradual incline, towards the end it got a bit steeper and rockier. The end wasn't very exciting, however we are finding on most trails there are extensions, and these extensions normally go up quite steeply and in this case on a lot of loose rock and scree. On the way up there were waterfalls, and even a cave to check out if there were any 🐻 hiding - sadly there weren't. And up the top great view of the glacier valley and the Stanley Glacier, although the sun was in the wrong position to photograph this well. After a muesli bar and a relax in the sun, it was time to head down. Hike stats: 11.26 km, active time 3hr 02, elevation gain 619 m. Back to the campground, for a bit of rest, both feeling a bit tired from the sun and a couple of noisy nights staying right next to the highway. Steps D 18950 / V 20260Read more