Carthew-Alderson

Mon 12th Sept. First of the triple crown hikes on the agenda today however it is a one way walk, from Cameron Lake back to Waterton village. There is a hikers shuttle to take you to the beginning, or you can save the $20 each person and bike the 16km road like us. In total from the campground the bike stats are: 17.24 km, time 1 hr 14, elevation loss 47 m, gain 409 m. Had a quick look at Cameron Lake, it's still quite a smokey haze here which doesn't bode well for good Mountain photos. Found somewhere to lock the bikes up - hopefully they will be there tomorrow when we go and pick them up, and started on the hike climbing up through the burnt forest. 20,329 hectares of Waterton Lake National Park was burnt in a major forest fire in September 2017, that started by a lightning strike on the nearby Kenow Mountain B.C. In total 38,000 hectares was burnt. So the landscape has drastically changed and the hiking tracks have only recently been opened again. Anyway back to our hike, it was a fairly easy climb up initially with long gentle switchbacks, then after going past Summit Lake, the climbing got a bit steeper up the side of a Ridge to the top of our highest spot at 2352 m. Great views including looking towards Montana USA with the border just a stones throw away. After having our peanut butter and jam sandwiches up the top, we set off knowing the hard work had been done. Coming down off the top we soon got views of the Carthew Lakes (top two) and Alderson lake. This view was really spectacular, especially with the colored rocks. Walked past the lakes and continued down to Waterton village. Hike stats: 21.05 km, active time 5 hrs 00, elevation gain 780 m. We have heard quite a few woodpeckers on our hikes the past 6 weeks but always struggled to get photos - normally to high in the trees looking into the sun, however we did past 2 today and got a few snaps. Also saw some elk or Mountain Goats - we can't agree on what they are - will have to ask the park staff to settle that debate. And after struggling with sore little toes during my hikes, and considering going up half a size in my shoes, I magically got an ad on my Facebook, selling Toe socks, which made me wonder if they would help, so while in Calgary brought a pair and tried them out today and happy to report that my "little piggy no long goes wee wee wee all the way home", now just have to find a big enough town soon, to buy some more. Steps V 35766Read more